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Japan news from Japan Times

• Huawei unveils AI chip road map to challenge Nvidia’s lead

  Chinese tech stocks have surged in past weeks, driven by a perception that the nation’s industry leaders are making steady progress in developing homegrown AI and chips.

• Hayashi pledges to carry on Ishiba and Kishida’s work if elected LDP president

  The chief cabinet secretary, who served under both prime ministers, says he will follow their lead as well as add initiatives of his own.

• Japan considering North Korea's participation at 2026 Asian Games

  The neighboring countries have no diplomatic ties and North Korea was a no-show when Japan last hosted the Asian Games in 1994.

• Vietnam startup seeks slice of third-largest EV motorbike market

  Vietnam is behind only China and India in terms of its market size for electric two-wheelers, according to an August report from MotorCycles Data.

• Japan's Nikkei 225 rallies to record following Fed rate cut overnight

  Trade was choppy and tentative at first until a decisive move upward started at about 10 a.m.

• Marugame Seimen noodle restaurant managers to see raise of up to ¥20 million

  Eatery chain operator Toridoll Holdings' president also indicated the company may extend the plan to other restaurant chains in the group.

• Agriculture minister Koizumi most favored for LDP chief, poll finds

  Koizumi was favored by 23.8% of respondents, while 21% backed former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi.

• U.S. envoys focused on Syria ousted amid pro-Damascus shift, sources say

  The diplomats at the de facto U.S. mission to Syria, based in Istanbul, all reported to the U.S. special envoy for Syria, a longtime friend of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Unification Church head questioned in probe on South Korea's ex-first lady

  Han Hak-ja was quizzed over her alleged involvement in bribing Kim Keon Hee, wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

• India's online gambling fans eye illegal sites in wake of ban

  India's parliament last month passed a sweeping law banning online gambling.

• Australia and Papua New Guinea delay mutual defense pact

  The postponement was Canberra’s latest stumble as it seeks to counterbalance Beijing’s expanding presence and clout in the Pacific region.

• Hong Kong newlyweds lament veto on same-sex rights bill as blow to city

  The same-sex bill represented an opportunity to implement what would have been a rare liberal shift in Hong Kong's legal landscape.

• Modi fends off succession talk in India despite numerous setbacks

  As Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates his 75th birthday, his party’s unofficial retirement age, his grip on India appears more secure than ever.

• The communist warrior stranded for decades in an ‘American colony’

  Ahn Hak-sop was captured during the Korean War by the South and imprisoned for more than 40 years. Now 95, he wants to return to the North to die.

• He risked everything to leave China for the U.S. Then he was sent back.

  Tao was not a Chinese dissident, just an ordinary worker who wanted freedom. Deportation did not stop him from trying again.

• China offers latest hint that newest aircraft carrier could soon enter service

  Observers say that a commissioning ceremony could come as early as next month, though training for carrier-based aircraft must still be conducted.

Culture news from Japan Times

• ‘There Was Such a Thing Before’: Fukushima grief and fury in monochrome

  Eighteen years since his last feature, Yoshihiko Matsui is back with a somber Fukushima tale that demands attention, even as its drama feels stilted.

• ‘Dear Stranger’ confronts marriage in turmoil, but lacks subtlety

  Despite its emotional stakes, Tetsuya Mariko’s kidnapping drama stumbles on stilted dialogue and too many coincidences.

• From high risk to record-breaker, ‘Kokuho’ defied expectations to become a megahit

  Lee Sang-il's three-hour kabuki drama overcame doubts over subject matter to find its audience.

• Japan’s box office belongs to 'Demon Slayer' as latest film ranks second all time

  “Infinity Castle” entry has overtaken “Spirited Away,” making the franchise the undisputed king of Japan’s all-time box office.

• Robert Redford, screen idol turned director and activist, dies at 89

  Known for roles in "The Sting" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," the actor also founded the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

• 'Adolescence' and 'The Studio' dominate television's Emmy Awards

  Fifteen-year-old Owen Cooper made Emmy history as the youngest male winner, while “The Studio” took home a record 13 awards.

• Japan's major art events converge this fall

  Dozens of biennials, triennials, art festivals and fairs are taking place between September and December.

• Mei Ehara’s third album finds clarity in the noise

  The Japanese singer-songwriter turns the concept of a McGuffin into her most direct work yet, sharpened by a U.S. tour with Faye Webster.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Japan considering North Korea's participation at 2026 Asian Games

  The neighboring countries have no diplomatic ties and North Korea was a no-show when Japan last hosted the Asian Games in 1994.

• World Athletics stars relish Tokyo atmosphere after COVID-hit Olympics

  For many athletes competing at the world championships in Tokyo this week who also competed at the COVID-hit Summer Games, the experience has been like night and day.

• Dodgers considering using Ohtani as a relief pitcher

  The two-way superstar has been superb on the mound as a starting pitcher this year after not pitching at all in 2024 as he recovered from elbow ligament surgery.

• Japan seeks to ramp up Asian Games buzz with one year to go

  Host Japan hopes next year's event will make a splash similar to that of the pandemic-delayed 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China.

• PSG overwhelms Atalanta 4-0 in Champions League opener

  Marquinhos opened the scoring inside the first three minutes, and PSG followed that up with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes and substitute Goncalo Ramos.

• First-half dominance leads Vissel Kobe to opening Asian Champions League win

  Vissel impressed against their hosts, with Erik, Taisei Miyashiro and Yuya Osako leading the defending J. League champions to victory.

• Katie Moon beats fellow American Sandi Morris for gold in pole vault final in Tokyo

  Moon cleared 4.90 meters to claim gold.

• Still plenty to fight for, says Japan’s team leader at worlds

  Race walker Hayato Katsuki has Japan's only medal so far, but team officials are optimistic that there's more to come.

Life news from Japan Times

• How Japanese captures the subtle shift into autumn

  From the equinox to cooler mornings, Japanese grammar and expressions reflect how the season gradually deepens into autumn.

• From tofu to teriyaki: Japanese essentials for the home cook

  Packed with more than 600 recipes, Makiko Itoh's “Real Japanese Cooking: The Only Japanese Cookbook You Will Ever Need" is an encyclopedic effort that lives up to its name.

• An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills

  Well known for its views of Mount Fuji, the mountainous community also holds a growing collection of world-class art.

• In Bali, the Ritz-Carlton’s ultraluxury Mandapa hotel marks 10 years

  One of just nine “Reserve” properties around the world, Mandapa offers a delightfully unsanitized take on a rainforest retreat.

• The sweet rise of Okinawan rum

  The spirit is emerging out of the shadow of the local “awamori” liquor, thanks to a growing band of producers who are keen to tell the tale of the islands' traditional agriculture.

• 'He's a regular man, not unlike us': Marking 40 years of Mario games

  Super Mario Bros., released for Nintendo's home consoles in Japan on Sept. 13, 1985, was a landmark of early video gaming.

• Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s announcement hits all the right notes in Japan

  Japanese culture is in the depths of a nostalgia wave, and the engagement announcement for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce fits in with it nicely.

• Overnight mulberry matcha oats are the perfect answer to a busy morning

  An alternative to cereal, the everyday oatmeal gets a healthy boost with the addition of tea powder and the fermented “amazake” rice drink.

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