World news
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‘The devil’s child’: the rise and fall of the only female yakuza
Mako Nishimura fought her way into the Japanese underworld, but drug addiction and the slow demise of organise…
- Japan, Cannes film festival, Drama films, Science fiction and fantasy films, World news, Asia Pacific, Festivals, Culture, Film
Sheep in the Box review – a bland, baffling tale of AI children from Hirokazu Kore-eda
There’s nothing wrong with film-makers leaving their comfort zone but the Japanese director’s latest effort ju…
- Japan, Cannes film festival, Drama films, Europe, World news, Asia Pacific, France, Books, Festivals, Culture, paris, Film, Film adaptations
All of a Sudden review – care home drama is tender, meditative and a little too precious for its own good
Cannes film festival: Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ocean-hopping treatise on love and mortality is undeniably beautiful…
- Japan, Europe, Society, European Union, Health, World news, Asia Pacific, Older people, UK news, Taiwan
For three years I scoured the world for answers to Europe’s big problems – here’s what I found
Japan and Taiwan have enviable care systems because they had the courage to plan – some solutions are radical,…
- Japan, Cannes film festival, Drama films, World news, Asia Pacific, Romance films, Festivals, Culture, Film
Nagi Notes review – clear, calm light shed on criss-crossed family passions
Cannes film festivalSet in a beautifully filmed provincial Japanese town, what could have been a soapy drama i…
- Robert De Niro, Japan, Restaurants, World news, Documentary films, Asia Pacific, Culture, Food, Film
Nobu review – story of obsession and loss that lies behind the luxury sushi empire
This affectionate portrait of chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa finds surprising emotional depth beneath the glossy surf…
- US-Israel war on Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Toyota, Japan, Automotive industry, Business, World news, Asia Pacific, Manufacturing sector
Iran war costs Toyota £3bn as prices of materials soar and sales fall
Carmaker gives one of biggest warnings yet of conflict’s impact on businesses while Trump tariffs also take to…
- Japan, Drama films, Period and historical films, World news, Asia Pacific, Stage, Theatre, Culture, Film
Kokuho review – passionately male Cain-and-Abel kabuki epic of gender-crossing actors
Lee Sang-il’s heartfelt drama spans 50 years following the bond and rivalry between two brothers who play the …
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Next stop – infinity! My transcendental experience on Japan’s ‘art island’ guided by its master Lee Ufan
Is this the ultimate location for contemplative art? Our writer travels to the legendary island of Naoshima – …
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That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea review – hectic anime lives again
There is less daffy humour in this sequel than in the 2023 original, but some sublime animationBy the demented…
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Haruki Murakami to publish first novel to feature woman as lead character
The Tale of Kaho, out in July, will be 16th novel by Japanese author who has faced criticism for portrayal of …
- Lee Jae Myung, Donald Tusk, Sanae Takaichi, Japan, Defence policy, Nato, US news, Nuclear weapons, World news, Germany, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Iran, Russia, Donald Trump
The Guardian view on Germany, Japan and the end of the postwar order: as US alliances crumble, a new world emerges | Editorial
Developments in Berlin and Tokyo show how far the strategic environment has shifted in response to authoritari…
- Extreme heat, US-Israel war on Iran, Japan, Climate crisis, Energy efficiency, World news, Asia Pacific, Oil, Fossil fuels
Tokyo workers encouraged to wear shorts to cut energy costs and keep cool
Officials hope more casual attire for public servants will save electricity during Iran war as summer heat app…
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George Ariyoshi, first US governor of Asian American descent, dies aged 100
Democrat led Hawaii from 1973 to 1986, coinciding with the party’s rise to power in the stateGeorge R Ariyoshi…
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Japan tsunami alerts downgraded following powerful earthquake off northern coast – as it happened
People in affected areas are still urged to evacuate after quake registering 7.7 magnitude Australian official…
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The Guardian view on Japan’s cherry blossom: when spring slips out of time | Editorial
A 1,200-year dataset shows the ‘peak bloom’ is arriving earlier. Global heating is unsettling nature’s rhythms…
- US-Israel war on Iran, Lena Dunham, Japan, Environment, Marine life, World news, Whales, Middle East and North Africa, Iran, Culture
Six great reads: Iran’s social media memes, an abandoned department store and a 1,200-year-old record of cherry blossoms
Need something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favourite pieces from the last seven days C…
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‘How do I end a call?’: the elderly Japanese people determined to master smartphones
Elderly people take advantage of courses on how to navigate mobile devices and avoid ‘analogue isolation’It’s …
- Climate science, Japan, Environment, Climate crisis, Trees and forests, World news, Plants, Asia Pacific
After 1,200 years, cherry blossom record to live on despite Japanese scientist’s death
Prof Yasuyuki Aono’s meticulous work charted shifting bloom dates as a marker of climate changeEven in his fin…
- Self-driving cars, AI (artificial intelligence), Japan, Technology, Automotive industry, Business, Nissan, World news, Technology sector, Manufacturing sector
Nissan turnaround plan pins hopes on ‘AI-defined vehicles’
Japanese carmaker will add self-driving abilities to 90% of cars in future and cut a fifth of its modelsBusine…