The Trump administration signaled a possible climb in some U.S. tariffs above 10%, but provided few specifics. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, said Wednesday that the 10% tariff on imported goods was likely to increase. “Right now, we have the 10% tariff. It’ll go up to 15% for some and then it may go higher for others, and I think it will be in line with the types of tariffs we’ve been seeing,” Greer said on Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria.” Trump first announced a 10% global tariff hours…
The Tokyo Times
Iran has arrested the bureau chief of Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK World, and transferred him to Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, two sources have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda. A spokesman for Japan’s government, Masanao Ozaki, told reporters that a Japanese citizen had been detained on January 20 but declined to give more details. It is unclear what charges the NHK journalist, Shinnosuke Kawashima, faces, although sources said he was taken to Evin prison on February 23. Kawashima is being held in Ward 7 of the prison, where political prisoners are usually…
New Mexico Begins Investigating Allegations of Abuse at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Property. As victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s multinational sex trafficking operation continue to push for justice, New Mexico authorities look into allegations of buried bodies at Epstein’s Zorro ranch, about 30 miles from Santa Fe. In other news, a study finds that the right cognitive training can reduce dementia risk over two decades, and California’s mental health diversion is applied to a perjury case involving a retired California Highway Patrol officer. Last week, New Mexico lawmakers approved an investigation into…
The European Union is urging a “diplomatic solution” on Iran as top EU diplomats are set to meet with the director of US President Donald Trump’s newly-created Board of Peace, and Trump continues to threaten strikes on Iran. “We don’t need another war in this region. We already have a lot,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday. “It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.” Working with the Board of…
Greenland’s prime minister has asked US President Donald Trump to talk to him instead of making “random outbursts on social media”, after Trump said he was sending a US hospital boat to “take care” of people on the island. Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was going to send a boat filled with medical supplies, alleging “many people” on the island are sick and “not being taken care of”. Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded “it’s going to be a no thanks from us,” and said that Greenland provides free healthcare for…
Wielding a golden gavel and a playlist featuring the Beach Boys, Donald Trump ushered in a new era of international humiliation at the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The new body, while established by Trump, has been tasked by a UN Security Council resolution to administer Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. But Trump has also suggested his ambitions for the board go far beyond Gaza, saying it would “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly.” Trump has demanded that world leaders pony up…
Japanese companies will finance investments valued at $36 billion in energy and minerals projects in Ohio, Texas and Georgia as part of a trade agreement that will cut U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, according to the Trump administration. The announcement is part of Japan’s 2025 agreement to invest $550 billion over the next four years at the direction of the U.S., with the funds aimed at rebuilding and expanding core American industries. In October, the Trump administration provided details on Japanese investments of up to $332 billion to…
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) got a historic landslide victory in last week’s parliamentary elections. This marks the first time since its founding in 1955 that the conservative LDP controls a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house. If necessary, Takaichi’s cabinet could also overrule any opposition in the upper house of the Diet (Japan’s parliament), where her coalition still lacks a majority. Given this, Takaichi now has a massive mandate to push her agenda. This includes boosting defence spending, strengthening the military and…
Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has already made history since taking office in October 2025. Capitalising on her high approval ratings and “fresh new image”, she dissolved the lower house and called an election just four months into her term. Her gamble paid off, winning the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) more seats in the lower house than any party in post-war Japan: 316 of a possible 465. Its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), won a further 36 seats. With a strong (and resoundingly consolidated) mandate, Takaichi is now…
Sanae Takaichi led Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party to a historic landslide victory in February 2026, rebranding it as a modern, youth-friendly force and capitalising on her image as Japan’s first female prime minister — even as scandals and coalition ruptures had recently left the party vulnerable. Her mandate rests more on personal appeal and nationalist positioning than on a detailed policy program, with younger voters backing an image of change rather than a coherent reform agenda. Yet significant uncertainty surrounds her fiscal strategy, which risks deepening stagflation, and her hawkish…