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Japan news from Japan Times

• Queer-coded yakuza story wins prestigious U.K. crime writing award

  With “The Night of Baba Yaga,” Akira Otani is the first Japanese writer to win the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award for crime fiction in translation.

• South Korean president hopes to visit Japan soon

  Lee Jae Myung, who marked his first month in office, expressed hopes of promoting dialogue with Japan through mutual visits.

• Who won and lost in Trump’s tax bill

  Those hit the hardest by the sweeping package include elite universities and immigrants.

• Four China Coast Guard ships enter Japanese waters off the Senkakus

  The move marks the first intrusion by Chinese official vessels into the Japanese waters around the islands since June 14, the Japan Coast Guard said.

• Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. arrested by U.S. immigration officers

  U.S. authorities informed Mexico that they have begun the procedure to send him home.

• Content moderators for Big Tech unite to tackle mental trauma

  Social media companies are facing increasing pressure to address the emotional toll of moderation, with many moderators reporting a range of toxic health effects.

• Max Verstappen sidesteps questions about future ahead of British GP

  The 27-year-old said that staying with one team was an interesting prospect for him.

• WHO pushes countries to raise prices on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50%

  The move by the United Nations health agency is the strongest backing yet for taxes to help tackle chronic public health problems.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Top Chinese official says war with U.S. unimaginable in tone tweak

  China is adopting a less confrontational tone with the U.S. days after confirming details of a trade framework with Washington.

• Thai prime minister's suspension sets latest political crisis in motion

  The ruling government is already faced with infighting, U.S. trade talks, a border dispute with Cambodia and a sluggish economy.

• South Korea's Lee pledges 'bold' economic policy after martial law crisis

  The South Korean president says his top priority is to improve the lives of the people, whose faith in government had been greatly shaken by "a national crisis."

• Hindu pilgrims set off to India's Amarnath, near site of deadly April attack

  The attack, which killed 26 mostly Hindu tourists, escalated into the worst standoff between the nuclear-armed nations since 1999, with over 70 people killed on both sides.

• Hong Kong proposes limited recognition of same-sex couples' rights

  The move comes as the Hong Kong government seeks to comply with a landmark court ruling from September 2023.

• Australia vows tougher child care laws after worker charged with sex offenses

  Australia's Education Minister Jason Clare has asked his department to urgently draft new laws on child care centers.

• Thai leader’s suspension deals new blow to battered economy

  Thailand is mired in slow growth, with households burdened by debt, a budget bill outstanding and the threat of U.S. tariffs weighing down expectations.

• North Korea opens massive beach resort, state media reports

  The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, according to Pyongyang.

Culture news from Japan Times

• Queer-coded yakuza story wins prestigious U.K. crime writing award

  With “The Night of Baba Yaga,” Akira Otani is the first Japanese writer to win the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award for crime fiction in translation.

• ‘Try first, figure it out later’: Kom_I and Foodman’s beautiful mess

  Part philosophy and part performance, the musicians' “Fani Mani” is all party.

• ‘Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl’: Beautiful, brutal and bringing back ’90s anime energy

  The first chapter of Yasuomi Umetsu's new "Virgin Punk" project delivers old-school action and animation in a cyberpunk future.

• ‘I Am Kirishima’ peels back the mystery of a fugitive radical

  Banmei Takahashi's drama gives shape to a man whose face appeared on wanted posters in police stations across Japan — and who stayed hidden for decades.

• Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made

  A new show at Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills Gallery explores the painstaking process of the late “Grave of the Fireflies” and “Pom Poko” director.

• From stage to screen, a story of quiet connection in the still heat of Nagasaki

  Director Shinya Tamada adapts "On Summer Sand" for film by filling the silences between scenes with heartbreak and slow healing.

• 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.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. arrested by U.S. immigration officers

  U.S. authorities informed Mexico that they have begun the procedure to send him home.

• Max Verstappen sidesteps questions about future ahead of British GP

  The 27-year-old said that staying with one team was an interesting prospect for him.

• Novak Djokovic builds momentum with dominant victory at Wimbledon

  Barbora Krejcikova also made it through as her title defense continued.

• Tributes pour in for Diogo Jota after Liverpool star's shocking death

  Jota's last public act as a Liverpool player was taking part in the trophy parade through the city

• Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain

  Jota, who got married on June 28, helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit.

• Clayton Kershaw reaches 3,000 strikeouts in Dodgers' win over White Sox

  Kershaw became just the fourth left-handed pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts.

• Teenage skateboarding star Arisa Trew has no plans to slow down

  Trew is set to defend her Olympic title at the Los Angeles Games in 2028 at age 18.

• NHL players officially cleared to compete at 2026 Olympics

  The agreement also covers NHL players taking part in the 2030 Winter Games in France.

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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