Japan

Honolulu Marathon President Jim Barahal spoke to The Conversation’s Catherine Cruz about the huge increase in the number of runners in all categories: international, U.S. and local.

Kabuki is a classical Japanese form of theater that contains dancing, singing, voice acting, and miming. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's dance and theater department hosted its inaugural two-week intensive training program led by kabuki master Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII.

Next month marks 80 years since the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, which ended the war in the Pacific. Here in Hawaiʻi, there will be an event at the Waikīkī Natatorium on Aug. 6.

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.