Articles by Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Jakarta overtakes Tokyo as world’s most populous city, according to UN

The rankings were changed after the UN used new criteria to give a more accurate picture of the rapid urbanisation driving the growth of megacities

6 hours ago

World

Japan PM fails to achieve breakthrough in row with China – but polling shows public backs her

Sanae Takaichi gets no meeting with Chinese premier Li Qiang at the G20 in Johannesburg after her comments about Taiwan sent tensions soaring

3 days ago

Technology

Amid Japan’s surge in bear attacks, a torrent of AI-generated videos is adding to anxiety

Videos show schoolgirls fighting off animals, while others show people feeding bears, with some so realistic that users struggled to distinguish between fact and fiction

Nov 13, 2025

Entertainment

Tatsuya Nakadai, Japanese actor of Ran, Yojimbo and Harakiri, dies aged 92

Star of Japan’s cinematic golden age, who collaborated with Kurosawa and played the lead in Kobayashi’s Human Condition trilogy, died from pneumonia

Nov 11, 2025

Japanese PM promises golden age in relations with US during Trump visit

Sanae Takaichi says she will nominate Trump for peace prize as two leaders sign agreement on rare earths

Oct 28, 2025

Japanese PM promises golden age in relations with US during Trump visit

Sanae Takaichi says she will nominate Trump for peace prize and two leaders sign agreement on rare earths

Oct 28, 2025

Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi sign agreement to ‘secure’ rare earths supply

The US president, who is on the second leg of a week-long Asia tour, and Japan PM hail new ‘golden age’ of relations

Oct 28, 2025

Japan’s new PM will hope the Abe effect endears Trump to her at crucial talks

Sanae Takaichi leads a minority government and needs a successful meeting with the US president on Tuesday. Thankfully her mentor, Shinzo Abe, is one of Trump’s ‘favourites’

Oct 27, 2025

Bear attack survival tips released in Japan as encounters surge

Governor of one prefecture says he is considering asking the military for help to tackle increasing attacks amid thousands-strong bear population

Oct 27, 2025

Trump in Asia: five key questions as US president prepares for diplomatic tour

Donald Trump will travel to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea for the Apec and Asean summits. Will he meet Xi Jinping, and what tariff deals might be secured?

Oct 23, 2025

Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s first female PM, who cites Thatcher as an influence

Takaichi is a rightwing China critic who opposes same-sex marriage and led a migration-focused election campaign

Oct 21, 2025

Sanae Takaichi on course to become Japan’s first female PM after new coalition deal

Officials confirm reports that Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic party will join forces with rightwing Nippon Ishin

Oct 20, 2025

‘It made my day more meaningful’: the Japanese gen Zers attempting a two-hour limit on smartphone use

Authorities in Japan are taking action against excessive phone time – but what is it like to restrict scrolling to 120 minutes a day?

Oct 8, 2025

Sanae Takaichi: the new leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic party who cites Thatcher as an influence

Takaichi, likely to become Japan’s first female PM, is a rightwinger who has been critical of China and focused on migration in her campaign

Oct 4, 2025

Sanae Takaichi expected to become Japan’s first female PM after winning ruling party leadership

Admirer of Margaret Thatcher beat her more moderate rival Shinjiro Koizumi to become leader of the Liberal Democratic party

Oct 4, 2025