News

Japan news from Japan Times

• Japanese lawmaker Suzuki conveys Takaichi's stance to Russia

  The Upper House member also appeared eager to promote exchanges between lawmakers of the two countries and visit Russia again next year.

• Many young people in Japan struggling with rising food costs, survey finds

  Around 76% of young people saw an increase in their monthly food spending, with some reducing the number of meals they eat to cut costs.

• Pileup in Gunma involving over 50 vehicles leaves two dead

  A 77-year-old woman from Chofu, western Tokyo, died and five people sustained serious injuries.

• Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict

  The neighbors' longstanding border conflict had reignited this month, shattering an earlier truce and killing at least 48 people.

• From trash to treasure: How anime became a museum staple

  Anime- and manga-related art exhibitions are now one of the pillars propping up the industry.

• Efforts to reduce burden on Japan's working generation still limited

  The budget bill allocates a record ¥39.06 trillion for social security-related expenses, up ¥760 billion from fiscal 2025, reflecting a rise in medical and nursing care costs.

• Russia lashes out at Zelenskyy ahead of new Trump talks on Ukraine plan

  Ahead of the talks, journalists reported several powerful explosions in Kyiv on Saturday, and authorities warned of a possible missile attack.

• Nigeria averts unilateral U.S. action by cooperating on airstrike

  Security experts say it is unclear whether such strikes can do much to hinder Islamist militants who have long menaced communities in the area.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict

  The neighbors' longstanding border conflict had reignited this month, shattering an earlier truce and killing at least 48 people.

• Malaysia ex-PM Najib Razak jailed for 15 more years in 1MDB saga's biggest trial

  Najib, arguably Malaysia's most divisive politician, was found guilty of all four counts of abuse of power and all 21 money laundering charges.

• South Korea prosecutor seeks 10-year jail term for ex-President Yoon

  Prosecutors have accused the ousted president ‍of trying to block investigators seeking to arrest him in January by barricading himself inside the presidential compound.

• China social media thrashes one-child policy after population control czar dies

  China’s near-universal mandate of just one child per couple from 1980 through 2015 prompted local officials to compel women to ‍undergo abortions and sterilizations.

• Pacific archipelago Palau agrees to take migrants from U.S.

  The island nation will let in up to 75 third-country nationals, in a deal worth $7.5 million.

• Bangladesh leader considered top PM candidate returns from exile ahead of polls

  Tarique Rahman, son of ailing former ‍Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has lived in London since 2008 and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party as acting chairman since 2018.

• Myanmar junta's shift from battlefield to ballots faces long odds

  Analysts and diplomats say the aim of establishing a stable administration in the Southeast Asian nation is far-fetched ‍since the ⁠civil war is still raging.

• North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees test-firing of long-range missiles, KCNA says

  The test, aimed at assessing North Korea's ⁠technology for developing a new type ‍of high-altitude missile, destroyed targets in the air from 200 km away.

Culture news from Japan Times

• From trash to treasure: How anime became a museum staple

  Anime- and manga-related art exhibitions are now one of the pillars propping up the industry.

• A night at the museum when dinosaurs come to life

  The Dino-A-Live show, made with lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, has partnered with the Tokyo National Museum for a performance steeped in traditional culture.

• Japanese screenwriter Makiko Uchidate dies at 77

  The drama scriptwriter died of acute left-side heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo on Dec. 17.

• In 2025, anime tightened its grip abroad — and played it safe at home

  As anime conquered overseas markets, the industry doubled down on known IP and left innovation on shakier ground.

• ‘Whoever Steals This Book’: A genre-hopping odyssey through literature

  Sometimes visually dazzling, sometimes dense with exposition, Kagokan’s first full-length feature shows what fewer cooks in the anime kitchen can achieve.

• ‘White Flowers and Fruits’: Inside the fragile, haunting world of female adolescence

  Strong performances from newcomer actors anchor Yukari Sakamoto’s J-horror centered on tight-knit teenagers at a Protestant all-girls boarding school.

• Can a pop song carry a movie? Japan thinks so.

  Hollywood rarely tries it, but Japan keeps going back for more. Isao Yukisada’s drama “Kaede” is the latest reminder that hit songs make potent movie fuel.

• Life lessons from bestselling kids' book about making mistakes

  The top-selling book of 2025, “Dai Pinchi Zukan 3,” is a children’s book about a cloddish kid forever falling into mishaps or “big pinches.”

Sports news from Japan Times

• Ohtani, Kikuchi and six others named to initial Samurai Japan roster for WBC

  The eight members also include Yuki Matsui of the San Diego Padres and Hiromi Ito of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

• Spurs extend domination of NBA-best Thunder with third December win

  Victor Wembanyama wouldn't call it a statement win for the season but he says the Spurs have learned from beating the Thunder.

• Broncos edge Chiefs to get closer to AFC's No. 1 seed

  In earlier Christmas Day action, the Minnesota Vikings pulled away for a 23-10 win over the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis.

• Villa faces Chelsea test as Premier League title race heats up

  Unai Emery's third-placed Villa is still considered a rank outsider for the Premier League title even though it is just three points behind leader Arsenal.

• Controversial Africa Cup of Nations change sparks debate in Africa

  The African federation president acknowledged the move was made at least partly due to pressure from Europe, where so many African stars play.

• Steelers receiver DK Metcalf could lose over $45 million due to suspension

  Metcalf appealed the suspension, but it was ​upheld on Tuesday ‌by an appeals officer jointly appointed by ‌the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

• Martha Stewart joins Snoop Dogg as minority co-owner of Swansea City

  Stewart is the latest celebrity to become a minority co-owner of the club, with U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg ‍coming ‍on board in July.

• Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken found dead in hotel

  The sport's governing body said the athlete's death had been confirmed by Italian authorities.

Life news from Japan Times

• In 2025, Asia got tough on nuisance streamers. Japan did not.

  After years of leniency, Asian countries are imposing serious penalties on transgressive online personalities — with Japan lagging behind.

• A champagne with notes of peach, citrus and Takashi Murakami's flowers

  The Japanese artist has lent his floral motif to two limited-edition bottles of Dom Perignon — just the kind of hip bubblies you’ll want to pop at the year-end party.

• Japan’s original decluttering queen cleans up your new year

  Hideko Yamashita’s first book to be published in English has already sold 3 million copies in Japan.

• Tokyo dining in 2025 was defined by sushi and cutting-edge fare

  The city’s restaurant scene had no shortage of drama this year as culinary stars set up new shops, Italian stalwarts left and iconic establishments reemerged from their renovation.

• Ring in the New Year with beef sushi

  Give your traditional year-end “osechi ryōri” feast a modern twist with these ball-shaped treats.

• Will Japan's 'fire horse' curse strike again in 2026?

  In 1966, the stigma related to the Chinese sexagenary cycle caused birth rates to plummet.

• Designtide Tokyo 2025 closes this weekend with a creator-led marketplace

  After returning in 2025 following a 12-year break, the event finished with a chance for designers and buyers to meet face to face.

• From aprons to sake cups: What to buy in Tokyo's Kappabashi

  Need some last-minute Christmas gift ideas? We get shoppers in "Kitchen Town" to show us what they bought.

 Singapore news from Today:

J1 is a noncommercial educational provider that promotes Japanese and world culture and as such, the delivery of news feeds is intended to promote this education and culture.  J1 recommends that readers support these news providers by subscribing to their services.