Musk Says Germany Has ‘Too Much of a Focus on Past Guilt’

His comments to the hard-right Alternative for Germany party escalated efforts by the billionaire to influence the country’s election for chancellor next month.

Elon Musk told a gathering of the hard-right Alternative for Germany party this weekend that the country has “too much of a fo…[Read more]

Germany reaffirms support for Denmark in Greenland dispute with Trump

Chancellor Scholz meets with Danish Premier Frederiksen in Berlin, stresses ‘inviolability of borders’ is fundamental principle of international law

Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday reaffirmed Germany’s support for neighboring Denmark in its ongoing dispute with US P…[Read more]

Osaka bans street smoking ahead of World Expo

The city of Osaka on Monday imposed a smoking ban on public streets as part of efforts to become more visitor-friendly ahead of this year’s World Expo.

Around 160 countries and regions are participating in Expo 2025, the latest edition of an event held every five years in different global…[Read more]

Japan’s dirty secret

This is not a story of romance or consent but of coercion and power wielded with devastating consequences

The recent sexual misconduct scandal involving Masahiro Nakai, a prominent talk show host and former member of Japan’s legendary boy band SMAP, is likely just the tip of the iceberg — a glimpse into the disturbing reali…[Read more]

Top Fuji TV executives in Japan resign over sex scandal

Chairman and president step down to take responsibility for a widening sex assault scandal linked to celebrity host.

Japan’s Fuji Media says its chairman and the head of its TV unit will step down immediately amid a probe into alleged sexual misconduct by a celebrity TV host.

Chairman S…[Read more]

Germany is gripped by election fever … but Trump is pulling the strings

The machinations of Elon Musk and the incoming US president loom large in the minds of politicians and voters

A Donald Trump-shaped shadow is looming over the campaign for Germany’s snap elections next month, with unprecedented US interference on behalf of the far-right Alt…[Read more]

German ambassador warns Trump will test the US constitutional order, report says

The German ambassador to Washington wrote in a report back to Berlin that he expects Donald Trump in his second presidency to largely undermine the system of democratic checks and balances in the United States, the German news agenda dpa reported on…[Read more]

Kretinsky’s EPH among those approached to buy Germany’s Uniper, sources say

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is among potential suitors approached by Berlin about buying German state-owned utility Uniper (UN0k.DE), opens new tab, three people familiar with the matter said.
Sources have said previously that others approached include New…[Read more]

German election: Focus on immigration and the economy

Immigration and the poor state of the economy are the top issues for German voters, according to the latest survey. Six weeks before the general election, Germany looks set for a change of power in Berlin.

According to the latest “Deutschlandtrend” survey, the balance of power in Berlin is…[Read more]

German institutions depart X, a day after Musk’s Weidel talk

More than 60 German and Austrian academic organizations say they will leave the messaging platform X owned by Elon Musk. The German government has also voiced fears that the platform is warping political discourse.

Scores of universities and research institutions in Germany and Austria…[Read more]

Domestic air travel in Germany dropped by 50% compared to 2019: Study

Domestic flights in Germany are expected to stay significantly below pre-pandemic levels, as overall air traffic continues to decline, according to an analysis released Thursday by the aviation industry association BDL

Flight schedules through the first six months of 2025…[Read more]

CDP chief Noda rejects grand coalition with LDP

Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, on Saturday rejected the idea of forming a grand coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
“We want to focus on uniting the power of opposition parties to change the government,”…[Read more]

Biden blocks Japan’s Nippon Steel from buying US Steel

US President Joe Biden has blocked the takeover of US Steel by a bigger Japanese firm, delivering on a political promise despite fears the move could hurt Washington’s relations with Tokyo and scare off other foreign investors.

Biden cited threats to national security in rejecting the Nippon…[Read more]

World’s oldest person dies in Japan aged 116

Tomiko Itooka died on December 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture, in central Japan.

Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died at the age of 116.

Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said Ito…[Read more]

Five killed and emergency workers targeted as firework chaos mars Germany’s New Year celebrations

Five people have been killed and dozens of emergency workers were injured as a spate of incidents involving fireworks marred New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany.

Despite calls for a nationwide ban on the private use of fireworks, they con…[Read more]

New Year’s fireworks accidents kill five in Germany

Five people died across Germany and a police officer was seriously injured from accidents linked to the powerful fireworks Germans traditionally set off to celebrate the new year, police said Wednesday.

Germans celebrate New Year’s Eve with a particularly intense usage of fireworks, which spurs…[Read more]

Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, UK, Germany on January 13: Report

The next round of talks with European powers will take place one week before Trump’s return to the White House.

The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and France, the United Kingdom and Germany will take place in Geneva in January, Iran’s semi-official ISNA news age…[Read more]

Japan Govt Eyes Jan. 24 Start of Ordinary Diet Session; Upper House Election Likely to Be Held on July 20

The government and ruling bloc on Thursday began making adjustments to the schedule in order for the ordinary Diet session to convene on Jan. 24, 2025.

Considering the Public Offices Election Law, the start of the campaign period for the…[Read more]

Foreign visitors to Japan top 33 mil in Jan-Nov, breaking annual record

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 33 million from January to November, setting a new annual record, driven by a tourism boom and a weak yen, government estimates showed Wednesday.

The total stood at 33,379,900, surpassing the previous full-year high of 31.88…[Read more]

Mount Fuji access fees to be doubled as authorities address overcrowding

Climbers using the most popular trail on Mount Fuji are expected to be slugged with a doubled fee of 4,000 yen from next summer as the Yamanashi prefectural government seeks to tackle overcrowding, a source close to the matter said Thursday.

The prefectural government also…[Read more]