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Japan news from Japan Times

• Uranium detected in extracted Fukushima nuclear fuel debris

  The debris was extracted from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant's No. 2 reactor.

• Nippon Steel extends closing date for U.S. Steel acquisition

  The estimated closing date has been revised to the first quarter of 2025.

• Chisako Kakehi, sentenced to death for cyanide murders, dies in custody

  The 78-year-old death row inmate was convicted of murdering three men — her husband and two common-law spouses — to inherit their assets.

• Ex-PM Miyazawa aired doubts about China's democratization to Clinton in '93

  In a summit with the then-U.S. president, then-Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said he was skeptical about democracy taking root in China as living standards improve.

• China’s economy has not peaked

  What happens to the world economy and global geopolitics in 2025 will depend significantly on China. But prevailing assessments of its economic health are deeply flawed.

• Jets QB Aaron Rodgers deflects questions about future with Jets

  The Jets would absorb a $49 million dead cap hit if they release or trade Rodgers this offseason.

• Cost of private education through high school hits record high in Japan

  Total education costs for children who attend private schools from kindergarten through high school, including tuition and cram school fees, are approximately ¥19.76 million.

• Prices of 1,380 food items set to rise in Japan in January

  According to a private research firm, January markups will center on bread products.

Asia/Pacific news from Japan Times

• India readies for 400 million pilgrims at mammoth festival

  The Kumbh Mela, a millennia-old festival, is held once every 12 years at the site where the holy Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

• South Korea opposition says it will vote to impeach acting President Han

  The opposition Democratic Party said it would move against Han if he does fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court to hear the case against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

• Sweeping Vietnam internet law comes into force

  Under a new law, all tech giants operating in Vietnam must verify users' accounts via their phone numbers or Vietnamese identification numbers.

• South Korea's Yoon defies second agency summons over martial law

  Yoon's repeated defiance of the summons and failures to appear for questioning have sparked criticism and calls from the opposition for his arrest.

• The real-life violence that inspired South Korea's 'Squid Game'

  A struggling car giant in South Korea announcing in 2009 it was laying off more than 2,600 people resulted in an occupation of its factory.

• The tsunami detection buoys safeguarding lives in Thailand

  They form part of a warning system intended to ensure no disaster is as deadly as a huge December 2004 tsunami caused by an earthquake under the Indian Ocean.

• Under Cambodia’s new leader, room for dissent narrows

  While Prime Minister Hun Manet has often spoken of the need for independent media and civil society in Cambodia, his government has moved in the opposite direction.

• Hong Kong offers bounties for six more democrats in security squeeze

  The move to add more names to Hong Kong's wanted list comes as the city strives to revive its economic growth and international reputation.

Culture news from Japan Times

• ‘The War of the Rohirrim’: Striking visuals, insipid storytelling

  Kenji Kamiyama's anime addition to J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" universe has impressive qualities, but lacks the magic of Peter Jackson's film adaptations.

• ‘Moving’: A profound, poetic coming-of-age masterpiece restored in 4K

  The 1993 film by Shinji Somai is rekindling interest in the late director as a generational talent.

• Demand for Japanese content booms after 'Shogun' success

  With interest coming from overseas producers, Japan-based companies are trying to help creators get their stories told.

• Step into ukiyo-e: A digital journey through Japan’s traditional art form

  "Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition" uses 3D animation and projection mapping to reimagine Edo-era woodblock prints for modern audiences.

• A year of ruin and renewal for Japan’s art world in 2024

  Amid struggles caused by a weak yen, galleries turned to innovative ideas and collaborations.

• A year of Oscar wins and a quiet push for diversity

  International collaborations and indie risk-takers steered the film industry in a fresh direction in 2024.

• ‘The Hotel of My Dream’: A literary comedy that never really gels

  Yukihiko Tsutsumi’s adaptation of Asako Yuzuki’s novel promises a festive treat, but casting and cadence prevent it from realizing its full potential.

• ‘More Than Words’: A morally gray melodrama about sexual assault

  Takashi Watanabe’s film concerns the plight of a bumbling TV writer whose entanglement with a club hostess leads to his downfall.

Sports news from Japan Times

• Jets QB Aaron Rodgers deflects questions about future with Jets

  The Jets would absorb a $49 million dead cap hit if they release or trade Rodgers this offseason.

• JFA hopes Nils Nielsen's international focus leads Nadeshiko Japan back to glory

  Nils Nielsen was officially unveiled as the new Nadeshiko boss at a packed news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 18. 

• World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka hungry for more success in 2025

  Despite her rise through the ranks to become the player to beat heading into 2025, Sabalenka said there were still parts of her game that need work.

• Chiefs secure AFC top seed with win over Steelers

  The defending Super Bowl champions will now have a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

• New Nagoya arena won't ease sumo's ticket crunch

  A shiny new arena in Nagoya will seat 17,000 but capacity won't be nearly that high for sumo, meaning there's no relief on the horizon for ticket-hungry fans.

• Postecoglou says Spurs 'need to reinforce' in transfer window

  Spurs have been hit by injuries and suspensions during the past month, but Postecoglou has refused to rein in his attacking approach.

• Djokovic has sights set on more glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud

  As doubts grew over Djokovic's motivation and ability to take down the new guard after a disappointing 2024, he stunned the tennis world by hiring Murray to coach him.

• Questions emerge about data used by China to defend against doping allegations

  The finding raises more questions about explanations from China and WADA as to why elite Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance.

Life news from Japan Times

• True blue tradition: How Japan's coveted jeans are made

  Craftspeople in Okayama Prefecture are carrying on a centuries-old tradition of indigo dyeing that contrasts with contemporary fast fashion.

• Small letter, big impact: A little 'tsu' makes all the difference

  When reading the small "tsu," shorten the preceding vowel slightly and then start with the sound of the subsequent consonant.

• 'Don't mess with our mince pies,' some Brits plead

  A mixture of different dried fruits, chopped apples and spices soaked in spirits such as brandy and rum, the snack is a favorite around the holidays.

• The secret to living to 110? Bad record-keeping, says Ig Nobel Prize winner.

  The true secret to extreme longevity seems to be to "move where birth certificates are rare, teach your kids pension fraud and start lying," the researcher has said.

• Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?

  Inbound tourism to Japan reached a record high in 2024, but managing the crowds and ensuring sustainability remain a challenge.

• Shibousai Kitagawa: Creative Chinese in the home of Matsusaka wagyu

  Alongside the superlative array of vegetable appetizers, a focal point at Shibousai Kitagawa is the revered local Matsusaka wagyu.

• A brief history of ‘osechi ryōri,' Japan's edible tradition for the new year

  In addition to wordplay, color and shape often determine the reason why certain foods are part of Japan’s New Year holiday menu.

• Casual workouts, cool living, ‘complete’ food: Japan’s health trends of 2024

  This year’s health and wellness fads point to a Japan that desires more wholesome lifestyles but doesn’t have the time or resources to go about it in traditional ways.

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