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May 26 2026POLITICS

How Japan and South Korea Balance Old Wounds with Modern Needs

Japan and South Korea share a bond that’s hard to ignore. On one side, they’re economic allies, trading technology, cars, and pop culture like K-pop. On the other, they’re stuck in arguments over history—especially Japan’s rule over Korea in the early 1900s. These fights pop up in trade disputes, co

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May 26 2026FINANCE

Japan’s overseas wealth grows, but global rank drops as rivals surge ahead

Japan still holds the biggest pile of money invested abroad, but its spot in the global ranking just slipped—again. In 2025, the country’s net external assets, which include everything from stocks and bonds to property overseas, hit a new high of 561. 75 trillion yen ($3. 53 trillion). That’s up 4.

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May 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

A Cheaper, Stronger Way to Cure Silicone?

Japan just made a big jump in silicone production. Scientists wrapped iron particles in a thin layer of silicone resin. That tiny shield lets the iron work as a catalyst without breaking down in air. Before this, iron catalysts lost power after just half an hour of exposure. Now they stay strong for

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May 11 2026CRIME

DNA Evidence in Japan: How Judges and Public Courts Changed Its Power

Japan started using DNA tests in court cases back in 1989, the first year such science was allowed as evidence. Researchers looked at every criminal case in a major legal database from that year up until 2024, focusing on how often DNA was accepted, how many people were found guilty, and what senten

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May 02 2026POLITICS

Japan’s Leader Visits Hanoi to Revive Business Ties

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will travel to Hanoi on Saturday for a meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam. The two leaders aim to strengthen their 2023 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which covers energy, technology, minerals and regional peace. Japan still ranks as one of Vietnam’

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May 01 2026OPINION

Robot Care: A New Age for Grandparents

Japan’s aging population is pushing the country toward robotic helpers, but the idea raises more questions than solutions. In recent visits to nursing homes in Tokyo, visitors were handed tiny robot dolls and plush toys that can talk, hoping they will fill the gaps left by a shrinking workforce. The

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Apr 26 2026ENVIRONMENT

Wildfire Battle Near Otsuchi: Japan’s Massive Firefighting Response

Japan has sent a large force of 1, 400 firefighters and 100 Self‑Defense Force members to fight blazes that have been raging for five days on the northern coast. The flames now cover 1, 373 hectares and are spreading because of dry conditions and strong winds. The fire threatens the town of Otsuchi

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Apr 25 2026TECHNOLOGY

Japan’s financial world braces for AI-driven security threats

Japan’s government is stepping up its game against digital threats after warnings that a new artificial intelligence tool could expose major gaps in financial security. Finance officials worry that AI like Mythos might find and exploit weaknesses in banking systems faster than humans can fix them. W

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Apr 21 2026POLITICS

Japan Lets Itself Sell More Weapons Worldwide

Japan has changed its rules about selling weapons, a move that could change the country’s role in global arms trade. The new policy removes limits on many types of equipment, such as warships and missiles. This shift signals a break from the strict pacifist stance that has guided Japan after W

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Apr 19 2026HEALTH

First-time moms under 25 face higher stress in Japan, study finds

Japan has long worried about very young mothers and their risks for child abuse. But what about women in their early 20s who become first-time moms? A new study flips the focus by comparing two groups: those under 26 and those 26 or older. Most past research zeroed in on teens, leaving a gap for wom

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