TOKYO JAPAN

Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Japan’s Big Move to Keep Oil Flowing

Japan has announced a new plan worth 10 billion dollars aimed at ensuring a steady supply of oil from Asia. The government will invest in projects that help secure shipping routes and storage facilities near key suppliers. By doing so, it hopes to reduce the risk of shortages caused by political ten

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Naphtha Shortages Hit Japan’s Factory Floor

Japanese firms that rely on naphtha, a key oil by‑product used in adhesives and paints, are cutting orders or lowering production after delivery delays and price hikes. The trouble began last week when more than a dozen companies, including Toto and Asahi Kasei, warned that their supplies were unrel

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Apr 15 2026POLITICS

Japan Opens Arms Trade to Allies, Drawing Global Attention

Japan is set to relax its strict arms export rules, a move that has caught the eye of countries from Poland to the Philippines. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s uncertain stance on defense commitments and the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, which have strained U. S. weapon suppli

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Apr 11 2026FINANCE

Japan takes a close look at private credit risks but sees no big problem yet

Japan’s finance chief recently shared her view on private credit, a fast-growing but shadowy part of finance worth about $2 trillion worldwide. She pointed out that Japan’s own exposure isn’t large and doesn’t pose a big threat right now. Still, she’s keeping an eye on how things move, especially as

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Mar 22 2026POLITICS

Japan Mulls Clearing Mines in Hormuz if War Stops

Japan’s foreign minister said the country might send its forces to sweep naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire ends the U. S. -Israeli conflict with Iran. The minister explained that such an operation would only happen after a complete stop to fighting and if mines were blocking shippin

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Feb 14 2026EDUCATION

Why Do Japanese Girls Love Christian Schools So Much?

Japan has very few Christians, only about 0. 7% of the population. Yet, Christian schools are everywhere and super popular. Why is that? Many people think it's because these schools are seen as fancy or upper-class, especially for girls. But is that really the whole story? Let's talk about one scho

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Feb 10 2026FINANCE

Japan’s Finance Minister Opens Door on Reserve Funds for Tax Cuts

Japanese finance chief Satsuki Katayama hinted that the country might look at surplus money in its foreign‑currency reserves to help pay for upcoming reductions in food sales tax. At a press briefing, she said that excess funds from the $1. 4 trillion reserve pool have historically been moved into t

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Jan 13 2026FINANCE

Japan and the U. S. Agree: The Yen's Drop is a Problem

Japan's finance chief, Satsuki Katayama, recently met with U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. They talked about the yen's recent drop in value. The yen hit a one-year low. Both leaders shared worries about this sudden fall. This meeting happened in Washington. It was during a bigger meeting ab

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Jan 12 2026POLITICS

Japan's Prime Minister Plays Political Chess

Japan is buzzing with political moves. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is thinking about ending the current parliament session soon. They might call a surprise election for February. This is not a usual step. It shows they want to use the prime minister's popularity to their advantage. Pr

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Jan 10 2026ENVIRONMENT

Japan's Clever Buildings: A Showcase of Resilience

Japan's buildings and landscapes are on display in Montreal. The show is called "Built Environment: An Alternative Guide to Japan. " It is at the Université du Québec à Montréal's Centre de design. This show is open until January 25, 2026. It features 80 projects from all over Japan. These projects

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