By Akio Tanaka
Tokyo-based correspondent covering Japanese politics, economy and the region from a Japanese vantage.
Japan's pension fund resists political pressure over JGB buying
Japan's finance minister and prime minister are pushing the GPIF to invest more in domestic assets, sparking market reactions. The fund's pr
Why Japan's first female PM resonates with women despite conservative politics
Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has gained a following among women despite her conservative stance on gender issues. He
Mahjong's global comeback: a Chinese tradition reshaped by commerce and culture
Mahjong is experiencing a global revival, driven by social media, post-pandemic socializing, and pop culture. The trend raises questions abo
Japan's bond market stress signals deeper global fiscal strains
Japanese government bond yields have climbed to their highest in nearly three decades, driven by fiscal concerns and a weak yen. The Bank of
Japan's EV Push: New Models and Tokyo Formula E Race
Japan's auto industry has launched more than 20 new or upgraded EV models in the past year, signaling a shift beyond hybrids. Tokyo hosted r
Japan's Calculated Silence on Trump's Gaza Reconstruction Board
Japan has not accepted Trump's invitation to join his Gaza reconstruction board, despite pressure. The offer's billion-dollar price tag and
SoftBank's AI bets make Son a bellwether for the industry's future
SoftBank Group has regained its status as Japan's most valuable company, thanks to AI. But heavy debt and concentrated bets raise questions
US-Japan yen intervention masks a deeper fiscal tug of war
The US-Japan joint yen intervention is a high-stakes game of mutual dependence. Tokyo holds nearly $1.2 trillion in US Treasuries, giving it
Kashmir's poet-saints: a shared spiritual heritage beyond the conflict
Kashmir's rich spiritual heritage, shaped by centuries of Hindu-Muslim exchange, is often overshadowed by geopolitical tensions. The poetry
Takaichi's Nostalgic Blueprint Risks Japan's Economic Future
Sanae Takaichi's economic strategy revives 1960s-style industrial policy, but experts warn it could fuel inflation and raise capital costs.
Chinese humanoids drive new service models in Japan's robotics market
JAL Ground Service is testing Chinese humanoids at Haneda Airport, with GMO AI & Robotics handling integration. The trial highlights a shift
Japan's Society 5.0: AI as a Service, Not Sovereign
Japan's Society 5.0 envisions AI as a service within a cybernetic feedback loop, not an autonomous agent. The framework integrates data, sen