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Japan news from Japan Times

• Simulation of crashed Air India jet puts focus on technical flaw

  The simulated flight was conducted separately from the official probe being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

• Hong Kong rights record under fire as it marks China handover anniversary

  Lee's government enacted a separate security law of its own in 2024 saying it was needed to restore order.

• France shuts schools as heat wave grips Europe

  The Mediterranean Sea was up to 6 degrees Celsius warmer than usual for the time of year.

• Dynasty in distress: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn's fate in limbo

  The Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn — Thailand's youngest prime minister — from office.

• Japan expands scope of background checks amid child safety concerns

  The expanded guidelines will apply not only to schools and kindergartens, but also to community spaces such as children’s cafeterias and talent agencies.

• Number of hibakusha atomic bomb survivors falls below 100,000

  According to the welfare ministry, the number of hibakusha with victim certificates stood at 99,130 as of the end of March, down by 7,695 from a year before.

• Large Japanese companies surprisingly optimistic as U.S. tariffs bite 

  In the tankan survey, automakers and smaller companies were relatively pessimistic.

• Japan-U.S. trade negotiations stall as Trump fumes 

  The two sides remain far apart, and no new talks are scheduled.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Simulation of crashed Air India jet puts focus on technical flaw

  The simulated flight was conducted separately from the official probe being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

• Hong Kong rights record under fire as it marks China handover anniversary

  Lee's government enacted a separate security law of its own in 2024 saying it was needed to restore order.

• Dynasty in distress: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn's fate in limbo

  The Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn — Thailand's youngest prime minister — from office.

• Top Thai court suspends PM Paetongtarn in ethics violation case

  The court said it had accepted a petition from 36 senators that accuses Paetongtarn Shinawatra of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution.

• North Korea's Kim shown honoring troops killed in Russia-Ukraine war

  Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, according to South Korea's spy agency.

• Taiwan to simulate Chinese invasion in major drill

  The annual Han Kuang exercises will last for 10 days and mobilize more than 22,000 reservists, both unprecedented in length and scale.

• Dalai Lama set to reveal succession plan as China watches

  The Dalai Lama has said his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing.

• The Dalai Lama: Tibet's spiritual leader, bane of Beijing

  A thorn in China's side, Tenzin Gyatso became the face of the Tibetan cause as he crisscrossed the globe, mixing with royalty, politicians and celebrities.

Culture news from Japan Times

• Diva of dualities: Maria Seiren sings opera and noh in both a female and male voice

  The first-ever winner of talent show competition “Japan’s Got Talent” is having a stacked year with two noh and opera productions and her 10th anniversary album release.

• Mei Semones is the rookie to remember at Fuji Rock

  The singer-songwriter delivers her bilingual lyrics and artful blend of jazz and indie pop with quiet confidence.

• Japanese pop-rock band Tokio announces disbandment after 31 years

  The group said it will bring an end to its activities as Tokio following a compliance violation by member Taichi Kokubun but did not disclose details.

• Why are idol fans throwing hands at the racetrack?

  A recent Fruits Zipper fan frenzy stirred online criticism, raising questions about the line between passion and obsession in J-pop idol culture.

• ‘Renoir’: An impressionistic portrait of grief and girlhood

  Chie Hayakawa’s latest feature about a young girl facing losing a parent to cancer is a shining, soulful study of quiet mourning.

• Studio Ghibli’s majestic sensibility is drawing imitators

  Forty years after the Japanese animation studio was founded, game creators are embracing its legacy of moral integrity.

• ‘Sham’ flirts with ambiguity, then picks a side

  Takashi Miike’s legal drama draws from a real-life incident and makes a clear but frustratingly simplified case.

• Stage dive into summer: Japan’s best music festivals, month by month

  The weather will be hot, but the concert calendar is looking even hotter.

Sports news from Japan Times

• WNBA expands to 18 teams with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia added

  Cleveland will be the first franchise to play in the WNBA among the latest additions, in 2028.

• Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead

  Growth of the sport is being seen in Japan and elsewhere, and some feel this could even benefit traditional gridiron.

• Fluminense stun Inter Milan to reach Club World Cup quarters

  Fluminense became the second Brazilian side to make the last eight after Palmeiras had already sealed their quarterfinal spot.

• Osaka overcomes spirited Gibson to reach Wimbledon second round

  Japan's former world No. 1 had to fight back in both sets against the Australian.

• NBA guard Malik Beasley subject of U.S. federal gambling probe

  The allegations date to the 2023-24 season when Beasley was with the Milwaukee Bucks.

• Barbora Krejcikova ready for Wimbledon title defense after difficult year

  Krejcikova's Wimbledon participation was plunged into doubt when she pulled out of the warm-up event at Eastbourne on Thursday.

• Hall of Fame trainer and horse racing legend D. Wayne Lukas dies at 89

  Lukas was one of the most accomplished trainers in U.S. racing history.

• PSG rolls past Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to reach Club World Cup quarterfinals

  Miami had hoped Messi's magic could help it produce an unlikely result against the Argentine star's former club.

Life news from Japan Times

• With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining

  Want to be an advocate of Japan’s marine health? Look out for sustainably farmed fish the next time you dine at a restaurant.

• Come nightfall in Nakano, Thai eatery Orangutan opens its arms

  Named after an ape, the restaurant, which takes over a cafe space in the evening, brings authentic, fiery Isan flavors to Tokyo.

• Cats, dogs, meerkats, goats: Interpets trade fair draws furry hordes

  From June 19 to 21, a veritable animal kingdom (and their owners) descended on the Intex Osaka convention center to try new foods and meet new friends.

• Take your first steps into the world of kabuki with these basic terms

  The language of Japanese theater is full of double — even triple — meanings. Knowing the terminology is the first step in understanding it.

• Mexican designer blends Chicano and Harajuku styles

  Designer Italia "Kumiko" Segovia says experimentation is great as long as it's from a place of knowledge and respect.

• King of Japan’s arcades, Sega’s UFO Catcher turns 40

  Where would Japan’s arcades be without the rows and rows of crane games that Sega’s influential machine helped popularize?

• Why Japanese sunscreen is going viral — and selling out

  Japanese skincare is getting its moment in the sun thanks to the help of beauty influencers on YouTube and other social media platforms.

• The juicy tale of Saitama's prized yuzu

  Locals are supporting the country’s oldest cultivation of the Japanese citrus via creative ways like ownership schemes and turning the fruit into various sips and savories.

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