Japan Open

The 20th Asian Games are under way in Japan's Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, running from 19 September to 4 October. Around 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are competing across 43 sports. The Guardian has published a photo gallery from the event, showing scenes from the opening days of competition in Japan.

Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Mimura, said markets should heed a 'very clear' warning regarding the yen, in an exclusive interview reported by Reuters. The comments signal that Japanese authorities are openly cautioning investors against excessive yen weakness, keeping intervention fears in focus for currency traders.

The Asian Games have opened in Japan, with attention turning to ten standout athletes expected to headline the competition. Coverage highlights the competitors seen as most likely to dominate their events and shape the medal race. As one of the world's largest multi-sport events, the Games draw wide interest from fans and national teams across Asia ahead of the opening contests.

Foreign Affairs argues that Japan is creating an opening for the United States to strengthen its position in Asia. The piece suggests Tokyo's diplomatic and strategic moves are giving Washington a renewed chance to deepen regional partnerships at a time of shifting power dynamics in the region, though the specific policy steps involved are not detailed in the headline.

Japan is converting closed golf courses into solar farms because the country has little open land for renewable energy projects. With mountains, farmland and dense cities off-limits, the wide, sunny fairways left behind by shuttered golf resorts are seen as some of the few suitable sites for large-scale solar power, according to a Japan Times report.

Japan is converting disused golf courses into large-scale solar farms, as the country has almost no free land left for renewable energy projects. Hundreds of golf courses have closed since the 1990s economic bubble, leaving wide, open, sun-exposed sites that suit panels well. Energy commentators see it as a practical answer to Japan's land scarcity and its push to cut carbon emissions.

Carlos Alcaraz has been drawn to face Alex Michelsen in his opening match at the ATP tournament in Tokyo. The Japan Open draw also set up Kei Nishikori to play Frances Tiafoe in what is billed as the home favourite's farewell match. Tennis fans are reacting to both the top seed's path and the sentimental send-off for the long-time Japanese star.

Carlos Alcaraz is trending worldwide as the Spanish star debuts at the ATP tournament in Tokyo, part of a strong Asian swing for Spanish tennis. Pablo Carreño Busta-linked teammate Jódar also started in Japan's capital, while Paula Badosa began her campaign at the China Open in Beijing. Fans across Europe, the Americas and India are searching for results and updates on his progress.

Tommy Paul is in action at the ATP Japan Open, where he is set to face Chile's Alejandro Tabilo. The matchup has drawn attention from tennis fans and pundits, with stats outlets publishing predictions and form analysis ahead of the 2026 tournament clash. Paul, one of the top American players on tour, is a headline draw as the tournament progresses.

Spain and Croatia are meeting as the UEFA Nations League opens, drawing attention from football fans worldwide. The tournament's start is also shaking up the FIFA rankings, with Norway jumping 18 places and closing to within one point of Japan, while Greece moved up two spots.

The Atlanta Braves opened their series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a win, sealed by Austin Riley's three-run go-ahead homer in the late innings. Japanese sports media highlighted the moment, with starter Chris Sale's fiery reaction also drawing attention, as fans followed the MLB postseason matchup closely.

A debate is under way in Japan over the government guidance that caps monthly overtime at 45 hours for most workers. A piece in Weekly Economist Online by scholar Wakana Shuto examines what the proposed revision of the 45-hour instruction really means for workers and employers. Commentators are weighing whether loosening or clarifying the cap would protect workers or open the door to longer hours.

On the morning of September 29, iPhone users across Japan reported that apps would crash or fail to launch entirely, regardless of which app they opened. Reports flooded news outlets and social media, with users saying restarts and reinstalling apps did not fix the problem. The issue has since been resolved and services are back to normal, though the exact cause of the mass crash has not been officially explained, leaving many users puzzled.

Urawa Reds open their Levain Cup campaign with a first-round tie against J3 side Kataller Toyama, with the match scheduled to kick off around 9pm on Monday, September 28. Fans in Japan are following the fixture, which pits the J1 club against a lower-division opponent, and some coverage includes live streaming of the game.

Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island has ranked second at the Japanese box office in its tenth weekend in theaters, showing unusually long legs for an animated release. The film's continued strength months after opening underscores the popularity of the Chiikawa franchise among Japanese audiences. Detailed earnings figures and the weekend's top film were not provided.

A bar staffed by robot bartenders is set to open in Kyoto, Japan. The operators stress that the robots are not controlled by artificial intelligence, distinguishing the venue from the wave of AI-driven services attracting attention. Japanese news outlets including Japan Today and SoraNews24 have covered the announcement, with readers curious about what exactly powers the machines and what the bar experience will offer.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is drawing attention as the men's Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships get underway in Tokyo, with the Canadian among the players in Round of 32 action. Fans are looking up how to stream his matches, and coverage of the tournament's early rounds is spreading widely, especially among Canadian audiences following his progress.

Shiho Kuji and Eri Fukuyama are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open in Japan, with Ai Kido one shot behind. Golf fans are following the close three-way battle as the tournament reaches its deciding day on the JLPGA tour.

The Chiba Lotte Mariners baseball club has opened a donation campaign for victims of Typhoon No. 25 in Reiwa 8, run through its social contribution project MARINES LINKS and the Furunavi crowdfunding platform. Funds collected will go toward relief for areas damaged by the storm. Sports teams rallying fans for disaster aid draws wide attention in Japan, where charitable crowdfunding drives typically spread quickly online.

Belgian tennis player Alexander Blockx is preparing for his first-round match at the Japan Open in Tokyo, where he is drawn against Valentin Vacherot. Tennis preview coverage has also focused on the pairing of Etcheverry against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the same round, with writers offering predictions ahead of the tournament's start in Tokyo.

The Japan Women's Open, a JLPGA major that had never been played at Takarazuka Golf Club in its previous 58 editions, is arriving there for the tournament's 100th anniversary. The milestone has drawn attention from Japanese golf fans, with discussion of the historic venue and figures in women's golf such as Hisako Higuchi, Ayako Okamoto and Ai Miyazato.

The Japan Women's Open Golf Championship, the third domestic major on the JLPGA calendar, is drawing pre-tournament attention as four days of play will decide Japan's top female golfer. Preview coverage highlights the field and expectations, with players such as Mayu Hattori among those in focus ahead of the tournament's start.

American tennis player Alex Michelsen is trending among US sports fans this week. The buzz comes alongside coverage of the ATP circuit, with Yahoo Sports highlighting what Carlos Alcaraz could achieve for the first time in more than 30 years at the 2026 Japan Open. No specific match result or announcement involving Michelsen is confirmed in the available coverage, and details of what sparked the interest remain unclear.

On this day in 1551, Japanese daimyō Ōuchi Yoshitaka was forced by his own clan to commit seppuku. Yoshitaka had welcomed the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier to Yamaguchi and moved the Imperial court there, making the city a cultural and political centre. History and travel enthusiasts are recalling how his openness and courtly ambitions ultimately cost him his life and weakened the Ōuchi clan.

Guides are circulating on how to stream the men's Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, with viewing options listed for the Round of 32 matches. The ATP 500 event, held at Ariake Coliseum, features early-round matchups as the tournament progresses through its first week.

In a look back at news stories from this month in history, The Japan Times recalls the formal opening of the Meiji Shrine baseball park in Tokyo, marked by a ceremony presided over by then-Prince Regent Hirohito. The venue would go on to become one of Japan's most famous ballparks, later known as Meiji Jingu Stadium, home to professional and university baseball.