Staff Writer

Japan reporter

A container port is seen from a helicopter in Tokyo, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Japan records a 5th straight yearly trade deficit

Japan has reported it posted a trade deficit for the fifth straight year in 2025 as exports were hit by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a diplomatic rift with neighboring China.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito greets well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan’s emperor and his family greet New Year well-wishers

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family are waving to a crowd of flag-waving New Year’s well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

A general view of a container port seen from a helicopter in Tokyo, on Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Japan revises economic data to show bigger contraction in July-September period

Japan’s economy has contracted at an annual pace of 2.3% in the July-September period, as exports suffered from the impact of U.S.

Investigators inspect the scene of a car accident injuring multiple people in Tokyo, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Michi Ono/Kyodo News via AP)

Man arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of stealing a car and then hitting 11 people, killing 1

Police say a man driving a stolen car struck 11 people in Tokyo. One man in his 80s was killed on a pedestrian walkway.

This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows Brendan Fraser, left, and and Akira Emoto in a scene from "Rental Family." (James Lisle/Searchlight Pictures via AP)

‘Rental Family’ spotlights real-life Japanese businesses that offer fill-in relatives and friends

“Rental Family,” a moving drama from Searchlight Pictures starring Brendan Fraser, is sure to spark interest in Japan’s real-life industry.

Tokyo Container Terminal is seen in Tokyo on Wednesday Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan’s exports to the world rise, but Trump’s tariffs dent its shipments to the US

Japan has reported that its exports to the world rose 3.7% in October from a year earlier, while imports edged up 0.6%.

A container ship is docked at a cargo terminal in Tokyo, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

Japan’s economy contracts as exports get hit by US tariffs

Japan has reported its economy contracted at a 1.8% annual pace in July-September as President Donald Trump’s tariffs hurt exports.

CORRECTS POSITIONS OF ACTORS - This image released by Netflix shows, from left, Kaya Kiyohara, Junichi Okada, Yumia Fujisaki, and Masahiro Higashide in a scene from "The Last Samurai Standing." (Chihoko Ishii/Netflix via AP)

Netflix’s new ‘Last Samurai Standing’ pays respect to the original

The Netflix series “Last Samurai Standing,” launches on Thursday and is set in a Japan where the feudal samurai era is about to end.

A woman walks in front of SoftBank store in Ginza shopping district in Tokyo, Jan. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Japan’s SoftBank says it has sold its shares in Nvidia for $5.8 billion, turning its focus to OpenAI

Japanese technology giant SoftBank says it has sold its stake in Nvidia, raising $5.8 billion to pour into other investments.

Sony’s profit soars on success of ‘Demon Slayer’ animation

Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony has reported its profit rose 7% in July-September from a year earlier and raised its forecast for the year.

Currency traders watch monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Asian shares are mixed in cautious trading after a mixed day on Wall Street

Most of Wall Street is rising, and the U.S. stock market is back to where it was before last week’s swoon.

Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe speaks to the media at Tokyo Mobility Show during a media day at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Daiki Katagiri/Kyodo News via AP)

Honda’s profit slips as President Trump’s tariffs take their toll on Japanese automakers

Honda has reported a 37% drop in profit for the first fiscal half through September. The impact of tariffs from President Donald Trump and unfavorable currency rates offset strong motorcycle sales.

This shows the headquarters building of Nissan Motor Co. in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on May 15, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)

Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is selling its headquarters building to gain cash

Troubled Japanese automaker Nissan says it is selling its headquarters building in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, for $630 million as part of its revival efforts.

Members of the media and guests look at Toyota's Land Cruiser 'FJ' during the press day of the Japan Mobility Show, in Tokyo, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

Toyota reports a drop in profit as Trump’s taxes hurt Japanese automakers

Toyota has reported a 7% drop in profit for April to September. U.S. tariffs have hit Japanese automakers hard.

Nintendo reports zooming sales and profit on its hit Switch 2 machine

Japanese video-game maker Nintendo’s net profit jumped 85% in April-September from the previous year, as its sales more than doubled following the launch of its hit Switch 2 console in June.

A woman takes a picture of a copy of the extra issue published after the Los Angeles Dodgers won baseball's World Series, as she received it from a Japanese newspaper staffer in Tokyo, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Ohtani and Yamamoto make Japan proud helping Dodgers repeat as World Series champions

Sunday morning in Japan began with a palpable buzz after the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Shohei Ohtani would start Game 7 of the World Series.

A window display in Tokyo features Shohei Ohtani's photo along with other products from Iwate, northeastern Japan where Ohtani is from, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama)

From parrots to chemists, the world is captivated by baseball superstar Ohtani

A lot of Japanese have been glued to their computers or TV sets recently, cheering for Shohei Ohtani in the World Series.

Members of the media and guests look at a Century's concept model during the press day of the Japan Mobility Show, in Tokyo, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Tokyo auto show highlights technology but Trump’s tariffs loom large

The Tokyo Mobility Show is showcasing futuristic transport, including robotic chairs and helicopter-like aircraft.

Tokyo Tower is seen amid tall buildings as a container ship leaves a cargo terminal in Tokyo, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

Japan’s exports and imports grow in September despite Trump’s tariffs

Japan’s exports grew 4.2% in September, according to government data, on robust shipments to Asia that offset the decline to those destined for the U.S., which were impacted by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

What to expect for Japan’s economy under Sanae Takaichi, its 1st female prime minister

Share prices have soared in Japan recently on hopes that conservative lawmaker Sanae Takaichi, who was chosen Tuesday to be Japan’s first female prime minister, will double down on market friendly policies.

Cans of beer sit on a shelf at a supermarket in Yokohama, near Tokyo Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Daiki Katagiri/Kyodo News via AP)

Cyberattack hits major Japanese beverage producer, affecting its operations

A major Japanese beverage producer has been hit by a cyberattack this week which has disrupted shipments and operations.

Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang, left, and Fujitsu Chief Executive Takahito Tokita shake hands during an announcement in Tokyo Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)

Nvidia and Fujitsu agree to work together on AI robots and other technology

U.S. technology company Nvidia and Fujitsu, a Japanese telecommunications and computer maker, have agreed to work together on artificial intelligence to deliver smart robots and a variety of other innovations.

Japan’s top negotiator on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to reporters at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, in Tokyo Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama)

Japan’s lead trade negotiator defends tariffs deal with the US

Japan’s chief trade negotiator has defended a tariffs deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

The headquarters of Bank of Japan is seen in Tokyo, Jan. 23, 2024. (Daiki Katagiri/Kyodo News via AP, File)

Japan’s central bank survey shows an improved outlook for manufacturers

A closely watched survey by Japan’s central bank shows sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers improved for a second straight quarter, making an interest rate hike more likely.

In this image made from video provided by Nissan Motor Co., Japanese automaker Nissan's test vehicle featuring an automated driving system packed with artificial intelligence moves on a road in Tokyo on September, 2025. (Nissan Motor Co. via AP)

Japanese automaker Nissan is developing vehicles with self-driving technology

Japanese automaker Nissan is developing vehicles with self-driving technology as it works to turn around its struggling auto business.

Vehicles are parked for export at a Yokohama port, near Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2025. (Takuto Kaneko/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s central bank holds steady on key interest rate

Japan’s central bank has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 0.5%, in a decision that was widely expected, given recent inflation trends that have stayed above target.

Vehicles are parked for export at a Yokohama port, near Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2025. (Takuto Kaneko/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s exports to the US continue to fall, hit by Trump’s tariffs

Japan’s exports to the United States plummeted 13.8% in August compared to the same month the previous year, marking the fifth straight month of declines, as auto exports were hit by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Vehicles are parked for export at a Yokohama port, near Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2025. (Takuto Kaneko/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s economy grew at faster rate in fiscal Q1 than initially thought on healthy consumer spending

Japan’s economy expanded at a stronger rate in the fiscal first quarter than previously estimated, despite worries about U.S. tariffs and domestic political uncertainty, according to government data.

Chairperson of Keizai Doyukai, or the Japan Association of Corporate Executives Takeshi Niinami who resigned on Tuesday from chief executive of Japan’s major beverage maker Suntory, attends a regular press conference in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (Yohei Kanesashi/Kyodo News via AP)

Chief of Japanese beverage giant Suntory claims innocence after resigning over CBD supplement

The former chief executive of Japanese beverage giant Suntory has acknowledged he was investigated on suspicion of possessing an illegal drug but has asserted his innocence despite resigning from his position.

A person walks by a poster of film "Kokuho," in Tokyo, on Aug. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

A movie about the Kabuki theater is a surprise hit in soul-searching Japan

A three-hour film about the ancient esoteric world of Kabuki is defying the odds at the Japanese box office, with tickets selling out at some cinemas.

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