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Japan news from Japan Times

• Tokyo startup confirms efficacy of iPS cell-derived heart muscle transplants

  According to Friday's announcement, the transplant was performed on 10 patients, and no major safety issues were confirmed.

• Japan builds up ‘missile archipelago’ near Taiwan to counter China

  As tensions between China and Japan rise, the sparsely populated island of Yonaguni finds itself right on the front lines.

• 'Samurai spirit': Ultranationalists see Japan tilting their way

  The recent rightward lurch of mainstream politics under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi means that suddenly some parts of ultranationalists' messaging no longer seem quite so fringe.

• Ukraine fails to fill key posts as corruption scandal lingers

  The corruption case at the state atomic agency has caused public outrage and undermined Kyiv's position in U.S.-brokered peace talks.

• China holds low-key Nanking Massacre memorial despite Japan tensions

  Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not the ceremony, despite a diplomatic crisis between Beijing and Tokyo over Taiwan.

• Shiori Ito's Oscar-nominated #MeToo film finally screened in Japan

  A Japanese #MeToo campaigner's documentary premiered in her homeland on Friday after months of delays, with one audience member saying she hoped it triggered a change in society.

• Kim hails North Korean troops returning from Russia mission

  KCNA said the unit had been dispatched in early August and carried out combat and engineering tasks in the Kursk region of Russia during Moscow's war with Ukraine.

• Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore faces felony and misdemeanor charges

  The alleged victim, in this case, is a woman with whom court papers said Moore had a "domestic relationship," and it is alleged he entered her home uninvited on Wednesday.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Kim hails North Korean troops returning from Russia mission

  KCNA said the unit had been dispatched in early August and carried out combat and engineering tasks in the Kursk region of Russia during Moscow's war with Ukraine.

• Fighting continues between Thailand and Cambodia after Trump claim of ceasefire

  Cambodia said Thai forces, including fighter jets, continued to strike targets across their disputed border on Saturday morning.

• Thailand's snap poll set to boost odds for PM Anutin, but risks loom

  The political maneuvering came after fierce clashes erupted again this week at the Thailand-Cambodia border.

• Verdict in trial of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai set for Monday

  Lai, 78, is charged with foreign collusion under Hong Kong's national security law, which Beijing imposed following pro-democracy protests in 2019.

• Abortion in Afghanistan: 'My mother crushed my stomach with a stone'

  Fewer than half of Afghan women have access to contraceptive methods such as condoms, implants or pills, with abortion being illegal.

• Hong Kong leader says fire probe expected to conclude within nine months

  The high-rise blaze killed at least 160 people and displaced thousands of residents.

• Calling AI ‘a gift from God,’ Catholic bishops draft usage guidelines for Asia

  Catholic bishops and priests from across Asia drafted pastoral guidelines for AI usage among the churches in the region.

• Thailand heads for early election as PM moves to dissolve parliament

  Under Thai rules, an election must be held between 45 and 60 days after the house dissolution, meaning voters will be headed to polling stations as early as the end of January.

Culture news from Japan Times

• NHK envisions a multicultural Mars in its newest sci-fi series

  The new sci-fi show was created with involvement of scientists and space experts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the NHK.

• J-pop found new ways to diversify in 2025

  Anime, social media and ad campaigns help, but can they take you global?

• ‘Good Luck’: A gently absurd road movie about filmmaker’s anxiety

  Shin Adachi turns self-doubt and awkward encounters into a warm, feather-light comedy that sneaks up on the viewer.

• A movie buff in Jimbocho bets on independent cinema in a big way

  In the book-filled Tokyo neighborhood, a new mini-theater hopes to introduce you to films you never knew you’d love.

• ‘Peleliu: Guernica of Paradise’: Cute designs, harrowing truths about the horrors of war

  As Japan marks 80 years since WWII’s end, “Peleliu” stands out among recent war films for using animation to portray the brutal realities faced by soldiers abroad.

• Japan releases 'Emily in Paris' star after drug arrest

  Harris was detained at Naha Airport after customs officers found 0.78 grams of a substance containing the stimulant MDMA in the 36-year-old's tote bag.

• Tadao Ando’s raw passion in 750 artworks

  A new Taschen volume reveals the architect’s creative process through decades of sketches, studies and travel drawings.

• U.S. playwright Jeremy O. Harris arrested in Okinawa for alleged drug smuggling

  Known for his Tony-nominated "Slave Play" and his appearance in the hit show "Emily in Paris," Harris was detained at Naha Airport on Nov. 16.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore faces felony and misdemeanor charges

  The alleged victim, in this case, is a woman with whom court papers said Moore had a "domestic relationship," and it is alleged he entered her home uninvited on Wednesday.

• NBA Cup goes from 'outside the box' idea to smash hit

  NBA Cup games have averaged 2.2 billion views across NBA-owned social and digital platforms, a 41% jump over last year.

• Canucks trade former Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes to Wild

  In return for the coveted defenseman, Vancouver will receive center Marco Rossi, defenseman Zeev Buium, forward prospect Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

• Vonn claims sensational first ski World Cup win since 2018

  The 41-year-old American rolled back the years to start her Olympic season in sensational style, taking her 83rd career World Cup win.

• Australia's depth making major difference against England during Ashes

  Australia is taking a 2-0 lead into the third test in Adelaide on Dec. 17 and needs only a draw to keep the famous urn and pile more humiliation on Ben Stokes' tourists.

• Michael Jordan and NASCAR reach settlement in antitrust lawsuit

  Jordan's 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit's new charters.

• Fan group calls for 'immediate halt' to World Cup ticket sales over costs

  According to the group, tickets for the competition will cost almost five times more than the 2022 edition in Qatar.

• Falcons edge slumping Buccaneers on field goal as time expires

  The Falcons, already eliminated from playoff contention, clearly relished their role as potential spoilers in Tampa Bay.

Life news from Japan Times

• Why is 'Harry Potter' so big in Japan? ‘Oshikatsu’ fandom.

  The "Harry Potter" franchise has no direct ties to Japan or Japanese culture, but fans say its stories are universal.

• Osaka Expo, ‘Kokuho’ top 2025’s sumo-style consumer interest rankings

  The expo’s ¥3 trillion economic impact and the three-hour kabuki film captivated shoppers in Japan this year.

• Beppu Hirokado puts the spotlight on Kyushu's rich seafood

  In a town better known for hot springs than haute cuisine, chef Taizo Hirokado is making waves with his bold cuisine that brilliantly showcases the bounty from the region's waters.

• A deep dive into Japanese comfort food

  Emiko Davies’ latest cookbook, “The Japanese Pantry: From Sake to Soy, Essential Ingredients for Japanese Home Cooking,” answers everything you want to know about the basics.

• Frank O. Gehry, titan of architecture, is dead at 96

  Visionary architect of Bilbao’s Guggenheim and a host of landmark works, Gehry closes a career that reshaped cities with sculptural boldness.

• ‘Messy, blingy, over the top’: Heisei Era charms Japan’s youth

  With 2025 drawing to a close, many in Japan are looking back on not only the year that was — but also a new period of the past overshadowed by its trendier predecessor.

• InterContinental Sapporo kicks off Hokkaido capital’s MICE push

  The Hokkaido capital’s first luxury international hotel signals a high-end future for the Nakajima Park area.

• In Yamaguchi, a salt master captures the terroir of the sea

  With the mineral-rich waters of Yuya Bay at his disposal, Yuzen Inoue creates blends that bring out the nuanced, different flavors of salt crystals each season.

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