News

Japan news from Japan Times

• Are bridges near you safe? This MRI-like scan may prevent disaster

  An engineering professor from the University of Texas at Arlington is experimenting with a novel approach to inspecting bridges for heat damage.

• Inside ICE, Trump's migrant crackdown is taking a toll on officers

  Some current and former ICE officials say the agency is grappling with burnout as staff try to keep pace with the aggressive enforcement agenda.

• Microsoft hack victims need to be on alert for sleeper cells

  One critical detail of the attack is that it affects only those that use on-premises SharePoint installations.

• How humanity can avoid starting World War III

  As a new nuclear age dawns, the U.S. must once again adjust its policies with foresight and flexibility, resisting both technological determinism and political destabilization.

• Sri Lanka rolls the dice on casinos to power post-crisis tourism boom

  The success of the casino strategy is crucial for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who completes one year in office next month.

• U.S. and Russian officials discussed energy deals alongside latest Ukraine peace talks

  Russia has been cut off from most international investment in its energy sector and from striking major deals due to sanctions following the Ukraine invasion.

• In protein-deficient India, McDonald's, Bollywood and cricket fuel wellness craze

  McDonald's has joined India's biggest dairy Amul, startups and a company backed by Bollywood superstar to unleash a marketing blitz with celebrity chefs pushing protein as crucial.

• Philippine bid to acquire used Japanese warships gains steam

  A decision is expected in the “coming months,” a senior government official in Manila said, following an inspection of the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Sri Lanka rolls the dice on casinos to power post-crisis tourism boom

  The success of the casino strategy is crucial for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who completes one year in office next month.

• In protein-deficient India, McDonald's, Bollywood and cricket fuel wellness craze

  McDonald's has joined India's biggest dairy Amul, startups and a company backed by Bollywood superstar to unleash a marketing blitz with celebrity chefs pushing protein as crucial.

• India's election commission faces claim of vote-rigging ahead of state poll

  Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said his party lost dozens of seats in the 2024 parliamentary elections as voter rolls were manipulated to favor the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

• South Korea opposition party picks backer of ousted President Yoon as leader

  The People's Power Party picked Jang Dong-hyeok, a two-time lawmaker who joined right-wing rallies organized by Christian churches and spoke out in defense of Yoon.

• Australia expels Iranian ambassador over antisemitic attacks

  Australian intelligence services reached the "deeply disturbing conclusion" that Iran directed at least two arsons, in Melbourne and Sydney.

• China's Xi to welcome Putin and Modi in grand display of Global South solidarity

  This year's summit will be the largest since 2001, China has said, calling the bloc an "important force in building a new type of international relations."

• 'Peacemaker’ Trump says he wants to meet North Korea’s Kim this year

  The U.S. president said “big progress” was possible, during a summit with South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung in Washington that also focused on defense and trade issues.

• Philippines quietly deepening ‘unofficial’ defense ties with Taiwan

  The moves come as Manila settles into a view that alliances, geography and economic interests would inevitably pull it into any U.S. conflict with China over the island.

Culture news from Japan Times

• Healing Oshima Island's history of disease with a touch of art

  Min Tanaka opened the Setouchi Triennale’s summer session on Oshima, Kagawa Prefecture, with a site-specific dance at Nikita Kadan’s sculpture, an allegory for support.

• 'The Face of Jizo': Hisashi Inoue's play staged in Sydney commemorates WWII victims

  Billed as the first major English-language production of the play, "The Face of Jizo" also increases the variety of roles for Japanese actors in Australia.

• ‘Happy Life’ brings dignity to family’s struggle with grief and poverty

  Yoshihiko Taniguchi’s film balances realism and compassion in its depiction of a family adrift after a sudden death.

• ‘Seaside Serendipity’: A pastel-soaked reverie on youthful creativity

  Satoko Yokohama’s film blends watercolor whimsy, bohemian houseguests and a school newspaper scoop gone too far into a youth-skewed summer tale.

• Alicia Keys closed Summer Sonic, but J-pop owned it

  Summer Sonic 2025 showcased Japan’s pop power: Mrs. Green Apple, Hikaru Utada and rising stars outshone the festival’s headliners.

• ‘Fires on the Plain’: Haunting imagery in restored 1959 war film stands the test of time

  Now restored in 4K, Kon Ichikawa’s film is a far from simple survival story that stares into humanity’s darkest corners.

• 'Kokuho' rakes in over ¥10 billion at the box office

  "Kokuho" is now the third-highest-grossing Japanese live-action movie ever after the 2003 film "Bayside Shakedown 2" and the 1983 movie "Antarctica."

• Sho Miyake's 'Tabi to Hibi' wins top prize at Locarno Film Festival

  This is the first Japanese movie to receive the award since 2007, when "Ai no Yokan" ("The Rebirth"), directed by Masahito Kobayashi, was given the prize.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Wood can help New Zealand break new ground at World Cup, says coach

  Wood was the youngest member of New Zealand's last World Cup squad at South Africa in 2010 and may be the oldest on the roster at the 2026 finals.

• Cal Raleigh hits 50th homer to join Mickey Mantle in exclusive club

  Raleigh is the first player in history to hit at least 20 home runs from each side of the plate in one season.

• WNBA looks unlikely to meet Oct. 31 deadline for new CBA

  A potential work stoppage could put a damper on a positive year for the WNBA, which has already set its all-time attendance record and has seen increased television ratings.

• Alcaraz eases into U.S. Open second round as Venus makes emotional exit

  Alcaraz, sporting a new buzz cut that has sparked plenty of chatter on social media, dismantled Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

• Deaths could spell end for Japanese boxing, says commission chief

  Japanese boxing authorities are considering a raft of new measures to make the sport safer.

• Everton signs Tyler Dibling from Southampton

  British media reported Everton would pay around £42 million ($56.74 million) for the player.

• Cadillac set to name Perez and Bottas as F1 drivers

  Perez was dropped by Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2024 season, but the 35-year-old is not far removed from finishing second in the 2023 F1 championship and third in 2022.

• A healer and a fighter: The double life of UFC star Shi Ming

  Shi shot to fame in November when she won a contract with UFC with a devastating kick that saw Chinese compatriot Feng Xiaocan carried out of the octagon on a stretcher.

Life news from Japan Times

• Sega's ninja-themed Shinobi series is back from the dead

  The long-running series hasn’t had a console release since 2003, but the new title is nearly enjoyable enough to make the wait worth it.

• Retired Tokyo trains live on as upcycled table lamps

  Former railcars on the Den-en-toshi Line have been refashioned into table lamps available for purchase from Aug. 25.

 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.