Rebecca Rosman

For a small but vocal group of mostly older activists, reclaiming Okinawa’s history as the Ryukyu Kingdom and pushing for independence from Japan is a deeply personal mission. It’s being supported by an unlikely ally: Beijing.

Training in karate was not always easy for Nobuko Oshiro, who faced bullying and harsh treatment from her instructors as one of the few women in the sport. Now at 77, she is Okinawa’s only female grandmaster and runs a renowned dojo, inspiring students from around the world.

Despite a global outcry and growing unpopularity, Japan’s whaling industry continues to thrive. Although whale meat sales have declined sharply over the years, most Japanese people continue to believe in their right to the delicacy. 

Whether it’s by land, sea or air, getting essential food and supplies into Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has been a logistical nightmare. To make up for the backlog in aid, the Israeli government has been allowing more goods from the private sector, but that method, too, has been facing issues.

Eight months after the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war, tensions continue to rise as attacks are exchanged between the Israeli military and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Some farmers living in the border area think a full-on invasion of Lebanon is inevitable.