Japan's ruling and opposition parties are set to start full-scale talks as early as around the Golden Week holiday period from late April to early May on measures to address the shrinking number of imperial family members. jtim.es/3Jb4wI6

When Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began a historic summit Wednesday at the White House, he came with an important message for U.S. President Joe Biden: Japan is ready to act as America's 'global partner.' But this may be easier said than done. jtim.es/3UcPNCA

As the weather changes it doesn't hurt to give your home a good clean. In Japan, that may also mean dusting off a few words and phrases for tidying. #Japanese #日本語 jtim.es/43RaVSh

Fast Retailing clocked a 7% second-quarter profit growth that fell slightly short of market estimates, but the Uniqlo owner retained its annual profit guidance, keeping it on course to report a third straight year of record earnings. jtim.es/43WNZ3R

Public support for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet has fallen to 16.6% in April, a new low for the administration since its launch in October 2021, an opinion poll shows. jtim.es/3TO2J0q

Volkswagen's factory in the German city of Zwickau is a rare case of a major car plant switching completely from internal combustion to battery power, making it a case study for a big question confronting the auto industry. | via The New York Times jtim.es/4aGdetA

Feeling angry? Here's some advice from a recent Japanese study — write down those thoughts and throw the paper away. You'll probably feel better. jtim.es/4avAlr9

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy changed the fates of thousands of Ukrainian men when signing a law lowering the draft age to 25 from 27 this month. | via The New York Times jtim.es/4ar7zaY

Yuko Kishida, wife of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, met with around 20 U.S. high school students learning Japanese, together with First Lady Jill Biden, at a White House library to teach them about the world of haiku. jtim.es/4awafEc

A year into Sudan's civil war, Iranian-made armed drones have helped the army turn the tide of the conflict, halting the progress of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Force and regaining territory around the capital, a senior army source has said. jtim.es/3xtkQRY

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in his welcome ceremony at the White House that Japan will donate 250 new cherry blossom trees to the United States. jtim.es/43WkwHs

In a letter to Apple, more than 60 human rights and environmental rights organizations pressed the firm to take action on Vietnam's detention of climate experts, saying it should weigh in given the country is a manufacturing hub for the iPhone-maker. jtim.es/49rU4Xr

Mobile phone carrier NTT Docomo and Amazon Japan have launched a service where NTT Docomo's 'd Point' reward points can be earned and used on the Amazon shopping website. jtim.es/43SKoUy

The number of companies doing business related to TSMC in Japan rose by over 10% compared to two years ago, but the key Kyushu region still faces hurdles. jtim.es/4cPGArj

The U.S. has once again become the largest destination for Taiwan’s exports after decades of China sitting atop the list, data from Taipei shows, reflecting a realignment in global trade as Washington works to reduce dependence on China. jtim.es/3TLVmq8

An estimated 23.3 million people in Japan are expected to travel during the Golden Week holidays, marking a robust resurgence to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to travel agency JTB. jtim.es/3xyZ27u

Commentary: Fumio Kishida's summit meeting with President Joe Biden is significant, particularly in terms of deepening military cooperation between the two countries. jtim.es/3VUWU3Z

A Hong Kong man with Portuguese nationality was jailed for five years on Thursday for 'incitement to secession,' the first dual-national convicted under the city's Beijing-made national security law. jtim.es/3PZrPbE

Ahead of April 19 elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lofty ambitions for what could be his third and final term in office. jtim.es/3TNWZno

Thai armored cars patrolled the town of Mae Sot on Wednesday as the deep boom of artillery thundered across the border in Myanmar, where the junta and an ethnic armed group fought for a second day near a vital trade hub. jtim.es/49rJWOk