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John Davis, 45, has been immersed in the Japanese gaming industry for over 20 years, first as a writer for outlets like Weekly Famitsu, and later working at studios such as Q-Games. He is the co-founder of BitSummit, the Kyoto-based indie game festival that has grown into a major international event, and a global PR specialist for Shueisha Games. 1. What brought you to Japan? I came here for work opportunities in writing and journalism, and that eventually led me to game development. The indie scene wasn’t really thriving when I first arrived (in 2003), but I saw an opportunity to help foster that, and it became a big part of my career. 2. How does working in Japan compare to the U.S.? The work culture in Japan is structured and methodical, whereas in the U.S. there’s more of a startup mentality. Japan values longevity and relationships in business, meaning deals can take longer but often result in long-term partnerships. Source link

It’s official — Japan’s kafunshō (hay fever) season has arrived earlier than ever. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported that cedar pollen was detected in the city on Jan. 8, the earliest recorded date, marking the start of what is expected to be one of the most severe allergy seasons in recent history. Forecasts indicate that pollen levels in some parts of the country could surge by 200% compared to last year, intensifying symptoms for millions. While kafunshō is often associated with sneezing, a runny nose and congestion, its effects go beyond the nose. Many suffer from itchy, watery eyes, conjunctivitis, skin irritation and even fever and fatigue — all symptoms that keep you from feeling and looking your best. Source link

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday in the two leaders’ first face-to-face talks in Washington, as Ishiba looked to build ties — and avoid friction — with his unpredictable American counterpart. Ishiba was largely successful on this front, with the two pledging to pursue a “new golden age” for U.S.-Japan relations — though the Japanese leader did get an earful from the president about the need to slash the United States’ trade deficit with its ally. While Ishiba offered praise of Trump, and noted that Japan was the biggest investor in the U.S., something he pledged to continue by stepping up spending, the president insisted that he wanted “equality” in the trade balance between the two countries, pointedly saying “yes” when asked whether tariffs could follow if no progress was made. Source link

Far from making America great again, Trump is giving a giant boost to China’s claims to world leadership. Source link

Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries next week, a major escalation of his trade war. Trump did not identify which countries would be hit but suggested it would be a broad effort that could also help solve U.S. budget problems. “I’ll be announcing that, next week, reciprocal trade, so that we’re treated evenly with other countries,” Trump said. “We don’t want any more, any less.” Source link

Japan’s retrial system will be scrutinized by legal experts for possible revision, officials said Friday, following last year’s acquittal of the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner. Critics of the retrial law say the system does not offer sufficient safeguards to victims of wrongful convictions because it involves an arduous process that can take decades. The system — so time-consuming that campaigners call it the “door that never opens” — has not been changed since the current Code of Criminal Procedure took effect in 1949. Source link

Authorities in Japan conducted a raid of a public relations firm Friday over allegations that Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito paid the company for campaign services during his reelection bid, potentially violating election laws. Hyogo prefectural police and the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office are examining seized materials to determine the nature of financial transactions between Saito’s camp and the company. According to the complaint, the firm’s president was hired to develop a social media strategy and manage accounts for Saito’s gubernatorial campaign. Saito allegedly paid the company ¥715,000 ($4,714) for its services. After the election, the firm’s president posted online that the company had played a key role in the campaign’s social media and public relations efforts. Saito’s team denied the claim, stating that aside from five billed services — including poster production — the president had volunteered all other work. The campaign also released an invoice from the company to support its position. Translated by The Japan Times Source link

San Francisco – First-time All-Star Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be NBA All-Star tournament teammates after being selected for the same roster by Charles Barkley in Thursday’s All-Star Draft. In a revamped format for the Feb. 16 All-Star event in San Francisco, four elite teams will meet in a tournament format. Former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal, Barkley and Kenny Smith — now television commentators — each picked rosters from among previously announced All-Star starters and reserve players. Source link

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time Friday for talks in Washington, as he looks to build ties — and avoid friction — with the unpredictable American leader. The two leaders were set to discuss a raft of issues, including military exercises, increased cooperation on defense equipment and technology, foreign investment, as well as energy, according to senior U.S. officials briefing reporters on condition of anonymity. “The United States is proud of our long and close alliance with Japan, and it’s time for a new age of U.S.-Japan relations to bring peace and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific,” one senior administration official said. “Our two nations will continue to work together to ensure we deter threats in the region through our full range of military capabilities.” Source link

The Cabinet approved two bills on “active” cyberdefense security Friday, paving the way for Japan to acquire preemptive capability against cyberattacks — often referred to as the “Achilles’ heel” of Japan’s defense system. The new measures aim to strengthen cooperation and facilitate information-sharing between public and private actors in the cyber realm, allowing the government to acquire information traveling through Japan and infiltrate the sources of cyberattacks in order to neutralize them. A recent spike in cyberattacks — which originate from foreign sources in 99% of cases, according to government data — has prompted legislative action with the goal of setting a framework to protect critical infrastructure, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Friday. Source link