By Akio Tanaka
Tokyo-based correspondent covering Japanese politics, economy and the region from a Japanese vantage.
Japan's Takaichi Secures ¥3.11 Trillion Supplemental Budget Amid Political Pressure
Japan's House of Councillors approved a ¥3.11 trillion supplemental budget on June 5, backed by a coalition including the LDP and Ishin no K
The Lockheed-Tanaka Bagman: How a Money Launderer Smuggled Bribes into Japan
Bruce Aitken, a money launderer for Deak & Company, smuggled ¥100 million in cash to Tokyo in a modified golf bag for Lockheed's bribery of
When AI Speaks in the Name of God: Faith Chatbots Spread Across Asia
A chatbot from Nigeria's Redeemed Christian Church of God pushes for personal data before offering spiritual advice. Across Asia, similar AI
Bank of Japan Caught Between Takaichi, Trump, and Iran War Inflation
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda warns that oil-driven inflation risks becoming entrenched. He faces conflicting pressures from Prime Minis
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Launches Physical AI Hub in Silicon Valley
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has established a Physical AI development center in San Jose, California. The facility aims to integrate AI and ro
Japan's Takaichi Navigates Budget, Party, and Defense Spending Challenges
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is pushing a ¥3 trillion supplemental budget but faces opposition demands for stimulus. Her LDP study group dr
ULVAC to Build Rare Earth Furnace Factory in Japan, Reducing China Dependence
ULVAC, a Japanese vacuum technology firm, will establish a new factory in Chigasaki to produce rare earth melting furnaces. The move respond
Global Bond Selloff Rattles Japan as Yields Hit Multi-Year Highs
Global bond yields are surging, with Japanese 30-year government bonds reaching their highest since 1999. The selloff is straining Tokyo's f
Ming Furniture: How Wood, Craft, and Time Forge a Living Tradition
Ming-style furniture is not merely antique; it embodies a civilization through wood, joinery, and proportion. The Donghu Rosewood Museum in
Japan's Rearming Ambition Hits Hard Limits: Manpower, Demographics, and Strategy
Japan's defense budget has reached 1.9% of GDP, but manpower shortages and demographic decline threaten sustainability. The southwestern isl
From Tokyo: Iran Conflict Erodes Japan's Trust in US Leadership
Japanese media polls show 75-86% opposition to US-Israel attacks on Iran. Tokyo officials worry about a power vacuum in East Asia as US forc
Japan's Care Robot Ambitions Still Fall Short of Human Touch
Japan leads the world in care robot development, but lab tests reveal a wide gap between controlled demonstrations and real-world care envir