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Japan news from Japan Times

• Trump tariffs not broached in two ASEAN-related meetings with U.S. officials

  The lack of any mention of trade concerns was glaring amid reports that countries are looking at diversifying partnerships as a way to weather U.S. tariffs.

• Isolated and fearing a ban, Germany's far-right tones down the rhetoric

  The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is hoping to go more mainstream and translate popularity into power.

• Trump's copper tariffs pile more metal misery on U.S. auto industry

  The duties on their own may be manageable, but prices of the red metal vital for making cars have soared to record highs.

• A U.S.-EU trade deal hinges on cars, agriculture and Trump

  Cars and tariff levels on agriculture have emerged as key sticking points between the European Union and the U.S., sources have said.

• Canada just can't win in trade war with Trump

  The giant North American neighbors are rushing to conclude a new trade accord by July 21 but the process is proving painful for Canada.

• U.N. report sees no active Syrian state links to al-Qaida

  The finding could strengthen an expected U.S. push for removing U.N. sanctions on Syria.

• U.N. says hundreds killed in recent weeks while seeking aid in Gaza

  The violence came as negotiators from Israel and Hamas were locked in indirect talks in Qatar to try to agree on a temporary ceasefire.

• More than 120 countries and regions to attend Hiroshima peace ceremony

  The number of attending countries and regions is set to surpass the record high set in 2023 of 111, according to the city.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• Trump tariffs not broached in two ASEAN-related meetings with U.S. officials

  The lack of any mention of trade concerns was glaring amid reports that countries are looking at diversifying partnerships as a way to weather U.S. tariffs.

• Fuel to Air India jet engines cut off moments before crash, probe finds

  A preliminary report found the plane's engine fuel cutoff switches almost simultaneously flipped, starving the engines of fuel in the crash that left 260 dead.

• Air India crash report to offer peek into last seconds

  Investigators have revealed very few details since the Air India accident, which killed all but one of the 242 individuals on board and more than 30 people on the ground.

• Malaysia says China will sign Southeast Asia's nuke-free treaty

  China will sign the treaty as soon as all documentation is ready, according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.

• Tibetan glacial lake drainage triggered deadly flood in Nepal, climate body says

  At least 19 people are still missing in Nepal following the flood.

• China says it foiled foreign spying plots, including 'honeytrap'

  Beijing did not name the countries alleged to be behind the plots.

• Taiwan shows off new U.S. Abrams tanks during annual military drills

  Analysts say Taiwan's first new tanks for 24 years would need to be protected against drones in any future conflict given lessons from the Ukraine war.

• South Korean court orders new arrest of disgraced ex-President Yoon

  Yoon sent shock waves through South Korean democracy when he made a short-lived declaration of martial law — which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament.

Culture news from Japan Times

• The many lives of Nakagin Capsule Tower on display at New York’s MoMA

  “The Many Lives of the Nakagin Capsule Tower” showcases the 50-year history of the building through nearly 45 pieces of contextual material and one of the capsules on display.

• Rare vintage shots and first-time shows at TOP’s 30th anniversary

  The 2025 schedule includes two exhibitions showcasing the museum’s permanent collection and three solo shows that focus on the work of Takano Ryudai, Luigi Ghirri and Pedro Costa.

• ‘Young & Fine’: Teenage horndog tale balances heart and hormones

  The oddball sensibility of Toshiya Kominami’s coming-of-age film, paired with Yuka Kouri’s winning performance, elevates a questionable setup into something surprisingly human.

• ‘Harbin’: Somber historical drama sees act of mercy lead to bloodshed

  Hyun Bin portrays real-life Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun as a complex figure shrouded in a sense of doom in Woo Min-ho’s film.

• Japanese dancers find a home abroad at Houston Ballet

  Returning to Japan for the American ballet company's first international tour since 2022, several dancers speak about why they moved overseas.

• Between reality and fiction: A summer’s day in Karuizawa with Minae Mizumura

  The author speaks on the Nagano Prefecture town's unique positioning between Japan and the West, literary tradition and artificial intelligence.

• The future is bright inside the visionary mind of architect Sou Fujimoto

  From a model of the Grand Ring you can walk through to a futuristic city design, the architect’s exhibition at Mori Art Museum is an invitation to engage with architecture.

• 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.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Alcaraz and Sinner set to resume rivalry in Wimbledon final

  Sinner demolished Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a Centre Court masterclass on Friday to reach his first Wimbledon title match and his fifth at the Grand Slams.

• Ben Healy rides to victory in Stage 6 of Tour de France

  Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel took back the leader's yellow jersey from reigning champion Tadej Pogacar.

• Nagoya Basho shaping up to be another red-hot affair at new venue

  With the IG Arena promising a far more pleasant viewing experience, anyone lucky enough to get tickets for the upcoming Nagoya tournament should be in for a treat.

• Amanda Anisimova proves doubters wrong by reaching Wimbledon final

  Anisimova, seeded 13th, stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win in a bruising semifinal.

• No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg scores 10 in Summer League debut for Mavericks

  Flagg went scoreless during the second half and finished 5-for-21 from the floor.

• Xabi Alonso ready for fresh start with Real Madrid after Club World Cup exit

  Alonso was appointed at the end of May, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti after a successful 2½ years at Bayer Leverkusen.

• Laurent Mekies gets started new Red Bull team principal

  Max Verstappen's future with the team remains uncertain, despite a contract until 2028, with Mercedes and Aston Martin keen to secure his services.

• Iga Swiatek surprised by run to first Wimbledon final

  Swiatek, who will face U.S. 13th seed Amanda Anisimova in Saturday's final, has not won a title since last year's French Open.

Life news from Japan Times

• ‘Our ultimate goal is to save every single Japanese video game’

  The Tokyo-based Game Preservation Society almost shuttered earlier this year, but a flood of support has buoyed efforts to save games on extinct media.

• Is Japanese skin really ‘too smooth’ for Hideo Kojima’s games?

  When it comes to Hideo Kojima’s visuals, art imitates life — and it’s more often Hollywood’s version of life than Japan’s that influences his games.

• With fine dining, Milpa frees Mexican food from the grips of the taco

  The Michelin-starred restaurant in Osaka wants to show Japanese diners that its cuisine has a creative breadth beyond tortillas.

• An emoji used to say it all. Now it might say too much.

  With World Emoji Day approaching, it's a good opportunity to recognize how important these digital pictures have become.

• A tiny mountain hamlet keeps traditional log rafting afloat

  Log rafting was once a means of transporting timber, but now it’s the tourist draw of a tiny Wakayama village.

• Shintaro Awa appointed to head the kitchen of L’Ambroisie in Paris

  The Japanese chef takes over the role of Bernard Pacaud, who helmed the renowned restaurant for nearly 45 years.

• What’s the first thing you think of when you think of a Japanese summer?

  Fireworks and festivals are part of the traditional Japanese summer, but what do people associate with the season these days?

• Beyond the lavender fields in Furano, a whisky distillery emerges

  The region has teamed up with Karuizawa Distillers and property developer Seibu Group to build a state-of-the-art facility to make single malts.

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