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U.S. President Donald Trump threatened new trade retaliation against South Korea if it doesn't follow through with an investment in a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska.

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Trump threatens South Korea over Alaska LNG project dispute

Seoul has said it only agreed to the $54 billion plan if it proves economically viable.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 58m

Another rapidly depopulating town in Japan tries art to save itself. Maebashi, in Gunma Prefecture, has also done a decade of rebuilding to go with it. Will it work? 👉 ebx.sh/GxTE03

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 9h

Commentary: Japan's hometown tax system thrives because it lets taxpayers redirect part of their taxes for tangible rewards while boosting regional economies despite complaints from wealthier municipalities.

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This Japanese tax has a problem: It’s too popular

A system with winners must have losers, and in this case, they are the places, mainly prosperous cities, watching their tax revenue flow elsewhere.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 10h

Japanese judo officials said they had never seen anything like it after eventual champion Rin Maeda appeared to be bitten by her Chinese opponent at the Asian Games.

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Chinese judoka accused of biting as home hope wins Asian Games gold

Maeda was awarded victory in the quarterfinal bout in Nagoya when Tang Jing was disqualified just over a minute into the contest.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 12h

With a scholastic life spent outside of the culture and teachings of the public school system, it can be easy for students at international schools to get stuck in a bubble. But some find ways to break through.

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How students in Japan strive to escape the international school bubble

With a life spent outside the public school system, some students at international schools struggle to integrate into broader Japanese society.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 16h

Thousands of dollars for a single bolt of fabric? Here's why Japan's kimono connoisseurs gladly pay an arm and a leg for a stretch of Oshima "tsumugi" silk. 👉 ebx.sh/2b6zMs

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 17h

U.S. carmakers are losing out to their Asian rivals at home, and the situation may worsen if Chinese firms are able to enter the U.S. market. 👉 ebx.sh/GKryYj

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 18h

Chinese construction of a runway on Antelope Reef in the Paracels archipelago is well underway with analysts estimating it could be completed by mid-2027. 👉 ebx.sh/B64jxw

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 19h

The governor of Ibaraki Prefecture said he will not give his approval for a second-stage survey for designating a nuclear waste disposal site. 👉 ebx.sh/5Sby7i

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 19h

Japan's government released a draft of requirements for a "secondary capital" designation, with Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka meeting the criteria. 👉 ebx.sh/MCsdLT

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 20h

Taiwan has finally received its first two of a batch of 66 new fighter jets after months of delays, bolstering its air defenses against China. 👉 ebx.sh/1gEoLZ

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 20h

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened new trade retaliation against South Korea if it doesn't follow through with an investment in a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska.

ebx.sh

Trump threatens South Korea over Alaska LNG project dispute

Seoul has said it only agreed to the $54 billion plan if it proves economically viable.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 20h

FamilyMart's blue, green and white socks have become an unofficial fashion statement. Now, the convenience store chain has a new footwear line — but you'll have to travel across Japan to collect them all. 👉 ebx.sh/0NS1VC

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 22h

"Jiro Dreams of Sushi" set the template. Now "Mitani" offers a different look at sushi, following a Tokyo chef whose philosophy extends beyond the plate. 👉 ebx.sh/FmYK6M

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 23h

Even if you missed out on a spot for this year's Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, you may have more options than you originally thought. 👉 ebx.sh/FNa2rG

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 03/10/2026

Editorial: Japan needs immigrants to address labor shortages, but policymakers must balance tighter rules and integration requirements with ensuring that foreign workers can contribute to the economy without being a burden.

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Immigration reform should help the country, not punish immigrants

The changes to permanent residency requirements add stricter income and pension standards, language requirements and raise fees substantially.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 03/10/2026

The launch comes after a landmine explosion injured three South Korean soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone last month. 👉 ebx.sh/IUW9Uo

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Tokyo consumer inflation was 2.7% in September, breaking 2% for the first time since December 2025, as the price of bento lunches jumped 28.1% year over year. 👉 ebx.sh/oLffjQ

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Apollo Global Management is set to provide financing for a $15 billion AI infrastructure project in Japan, accelerating the private asset firm's push into the artificial intelligence sphere. 👉 ebx.sh/37WC7J

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

The U.S. military is planning to deploy an advanced anti-ship missile system to a Japanese island close to Taiwan for the first time during a major training exercise later this month.

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U.S. to put missile system on island near Taiwan for drills

The U.S. military is set to deploy an advanced anti-ship missile system to Yonaguni for the first time for drills later this month.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Another rapidly depopulating town in Japan tries art to save itself. Maebashi, in Gunma Prefecture, has also done a decade of rebuilding to go with it. Will it work?

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In Maebashi, the city-making is the art

The inaugural art festival is the cherry on top of the town’s decade-long revitalization efforts which include new buildings and renovations.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she was told during her talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York last month that U.S. trade is suffering due to the weakness of the yen.

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Takaichi told during Trump talks that weak yen was hurting U.S. trade

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has repeatedly suggested the BOJ should raise interest rates to help the yen find an appropriate level.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

The average number of influenza patients per monitored medical institution has exceeded 1.0 in all 47 prefectures in Japan, signaling a nationwide flu outbreak, according to a health ministry announcement.

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Japan hit by nationwide flu outbreak

The health ministry is asking the public to take basic precautions against infection such as handwashing and covering the mouth when coughing.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

In a first, the transport ministry ordered Tokai Kisen on Friday to suspend some of its vessels following multiple law violations, including operating vessels under the influence of alcohol.

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Tokai Kisen subject of Japan’s first-ever ship suspension order

Between January and June this year, the ministry conducted an extraordinary inspection of the company and found 13 cases of violations of the law.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Tokyo consumer inflation was 2.7% in September, breaking 2% for the first time since December 2025, as the price of bento lunches jumped 28.1% year over year.

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Tokyo inflation hits 2.7% in September as some subsidies come to an end

The reading was above expectations and could increase the chances of a rate rise.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

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Immigration reform should help the country, not punish immigrants

The changes to permanent residency requirements add stricter income and pension standards, language requirements and raise fees substantially.

275

The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting won a "monumental" Asian Games gold on Friday and said she was "grateful for making it through" after considering quitting following a major gender row at the Paris Olympics.

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Lin wins ‘monumental’ Asian Games gold two years after gender row

Lin Yu-ting considered retiring after winning gold at Paris 2024 but wanted to carry on fighting in part to defy those who questioned her eligibility.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Tomorrow's edition of The Japan Times Weekend features a rare English interview with Mrs. Green Apple, the biggest band in Japan.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

A group of ICC head Tomoko Akane's former students have submitted a petition with over 170,000 signatures to the Japanese government, demanding it take action to get U.S. sanctions against her lifted.

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Sanctioned ICC head’s former students demand action from Tokyo

A petition with 170,000 signatures has been submitted to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Taekwondo dates back more than 2,000 years, but on Friday at the Asian Games the Korean martial art stepped into a not-so-brave future where nobody gets hurt: virtual taekwondo.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Tepco has started inspections of the interior of the meltdown-stricken No. 2 reactor at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, inserting a robotic arm into the containment vessel.

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Tepco begins long-delayed probe of Fukushima reactor’s interior

Tepco has frequently postponed investigations in order to remove accumulated debris and replace cameras, among other reasons.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Taekwondo dates back more than 2,000 years, but on Friday at the Asian Games the Korean martial art stepped into a not-so-brave future where nobody gets hurt: virtual taekwondo.

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Virtual taekwondo makes Asian Games debut

Taekwondo officials have billed the event as “real-world martial arts meets cutting-edge virtual technology.”

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

A 23-year-old woman was stabbed to death in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, earlier this week allegedly by a former boyfriend whom she had reported to authorities over stalking concerns, the Okinawa Prefectural Police said.

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23-year-old woman stabbed to death in Okinawa in possible stalking incident

Rin Zamami was found collapsed and bleeding on the staircase outside of her apartment on Wednesday and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

The government plans to require corporations to submit information on their beneficial owners, including their names, addresses, dates of birth and nationalities, sources have said.

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Japan to require corporations to report details of beneficial owners

The government hopes to shed light on the activities of tokuryū criminal groups and gain insight into land ownership by foreign nationals.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

SoftBank Group's equity investors are increasingly focused on the possible returns from its AI bets, helping the stock rebound even as the company faces higher borrowing costs.

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SoftBank stock investors see past credit risks to AI returns

Masayoshi Son’s diverse exposure across the AI landscape —ranging from robotics, data centers and energy — reassures some equity investors.

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The Japan Times @japantimes.co.jp · 02/10/2026

Apollo Global Management is set to provide financing for a $15 billion AI infrastructure project in Japan, accelerating the private asset firm's push into the artificial intelligence sphere.

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Apollo to back $15 billion AI infrastructure project in Japan

The project, aimed at strengthening AI capacity, is expected to see capital deployed across land, power infrastructure, construction and computing.

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