Japan

Many eyes will be watching to see about U.S. relations with the Pacific amid threats of tariffs, most recently on foreign-made cars. HPR talked to Glen S. Fukushima, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, about expectations in Japan and the region during Pete Hegseth's first visit as defense secretary.

Professional baseball across the Pacific has a history that also involves Hawaiʻi. Before former Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome threw out the first pitch at Monday night’s game in Tokyo, HPR's Bill Dorman spoke with Robert Whiting, a Tokyo-based author who has written 10 books on Japanese culture and history — including several on baseball.

Sally Amaki is a voice actress and idol professional entertainer in Japan. Kana Ichinose stars in the TV anime series “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury” as Suletta Mercury. Both were in Hawaiʻi for a fan meet-and-greet.

Liquefied natural gas may be part of Hawaiʻi’s energy future, according to a new energy strategy for Oʻahu just released by the State Energy Office. HPR’s Savannah Harriman-Pote has more.

Japanʻs prime minister heads into a new term today — one day after winning a run-off election in parliament. As he starts a new term, one challenge is planning for a new administration in Washington. HPRʻs Bill Dorman has more in todayʻs Asia Minute.

Americans are still trying to figure out how a second Trump administration will affect their lives. Thatʻs also true for countries around the world — including in the Asia Pacific. HPRʻs Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

While the United States wraps up voting in today’s election, Japan is already living with what the U.S. may soon be facing. Japan is still locked in political uncertainty — more than a week after its national election. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

More companies and governments are trying a four-day workweek. It's probably not a surprise that some European countries have led the way, but the concept is spreading to other locations that are slightly unusual. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

If you're a baseball fan, you already know we’re in the midst of the World Series. But despite that name, New York and Los Angeles aren't the only places involved in championship baseball these days. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

HPR talked to USS Battleship Missouri Memorial curatorial assistant Molly Hagan about the practice called Yosegaki Hinomaru, which was meant to bring good luck to the soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army.