November 2025

From the Editor

Justin McCurry

Japan is in the grip of an outbreak of ursine terror. Barely a day goes by without a story detailing another encounter between bears and humans – including fatal attacks – from a northern Japanese prefecture. As the Number 1 Shimbun went to press, the governor of Akita was in Tokyo to ask the defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, for assistance from the self-defense forces, although they are not legally permitted to shoot the animals. Media organisations, meanwhile, have augmented their reporting with expert tips on how to avoid or survive a bear attack. In a timely contribution to this month’s issue, Rotem Kowner’s cover story explains why bear encounters are on the rise. Elsewhere, Dylan O’Brien traces a hardening in Japanese attitudes toward Israel, Stephen Mansfield explains the versatility of “traditional” Japanese gardens, Eiichiro Tokumoto brings to life Newsweek’s landmark 1975 interview with Emperor Hirohito, and N. Shibly reports on new attempts to bring the killer of journalist Kenji Goto to justice, 18 years after he was shot dead while covering pro-democracy protests in Myanmar. In the latest in our Ripping Yarns series, Peter McGill recalls a trip to North Korea that was made possible by an accommodating Norodom Sihanouk. The Club, which will mark its 80^th birthday with a special celebration at the end of the month, also looms large, with Eric Johnston’s tribute to the Japan-based foreign correspondents who predated the FCCJ. In a report from New York, Ilgin Yorulmaz reflects on her time covering the United Nations, Anthony Rowley outlines the economic challenges facing Sanae Takaichi, and in his regular review of the Japanese media, Philip Brasor looks at the explosive impact a new book is having on government policy toward pain management for the seriously ill.

Cover artwork by Julio Shiiki