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Japan Today

February 2026

Marco Odermatt closes in on downhill season title after winning first World Cup race since Olympics

More good news for Odermatt was that his closest challenger, teammate and Olympic gold medalist Franjo van Allmen, was not part of the Swiss trio on the podium

Marco Odermattswiss alpine skier
My idol always was Didier Cuche when I was a kid,
Franjo von Allmencompatriot and triple gold medallist
I was a little bit too direct, also not central with my body, sat down in the back, and was pretty tired. In the end, too direct and not smooth enough,
Marco Odermattswiss alpine skier
It was certainly a bit of a revenge today, too,

New laws to help speed up soccer will be in effect at the World Cup

Lionel Messiargentine association football player (born 1987)
With this type of rule, we’re going in a bad direction.”
Ali CurtismLS head of sporting innovation
How can you find a way to evolve the game and still maintain the integrity of the sport? That’s a fine balance, and understanding that you’re not always going to be given pats on the back, people aren’t always going to say glowing things about new things that you’re going to introduce,

Oil prices set for swings as U.S.-Israel strikes raise supply uncertainty

Scenarios before the latest conflict with Iran foresaw a quick price spike that fades if the attacks didn't affect oil shipping and infrastructure such as Iranian pipelines and its Kharg island terminal

War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress

Thomas Massiecongressman
I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First,’
Ro Khannarep Ro
Congress must convene on Monday to vote,... to stop this.”
The American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home,

Strikes on Iran spark travel chaos as airlines cancel flights

Passengers and airlines can expect airspace to be shut for quite some time,
You have crews, planes and passengers stranded all over the world. It's a massive logistical nightmare,
We still have some students that went there ‌earlier and they're stuck in Dubai and we don't know when they’ll be able to come back,

Trump's Iran strikes mark his biggest foreign policy gamble

Nicole Grajewskiforeign policy researcher
Iran is a more formidable military power, and even what the response is right now in the Gulf — they're willing to cross lines that they weren't willing to cross before,
Daniel B. Shapiroamerican diplomat
Most Americans will wake up Saturday morning and wonder why we are at war with Iran, what is the goal, and why U.S. bases in the Middle East are under attack,
Jon Altermanamerican academic (Syracuse University)
He wants to change the government,
They're really exposing these poor Iranian people by saying, 'Stand up and overthrow your government. We got your back',

Israel, U.S. launch pre-emptive attack against Iran

Israel Katzisraeli Defence Minister
The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,

Arrest of Australian man over alleged mosque terror plot 'deeply shocking', PM Albanese says

Anthony Albaneseprime Minister
Allegations the man was planning to target the Muslim community through attacks on mosques — as well as attacks on the WA police and parliament — are particularly distressing. He should face the full force of the law,
Anthony Albaneseprime Minister
The arrest of a WA man over an alleged racially-motivated terrorist plot is deeply shocking."

Trump administration cannot 'terrorize' Minnesota's refugees with arrests, U.S. judge rules

John R. Tunheimjudge
This Court will not allow federal authorities to use a new and erroneous statutory interpretation to terrorize refugees who immigrated to this country under the promise that they would be welcomed and allowed to live in peace, far from the persecution they fled,

Neil Sedaka, singer-songwriter behind dozens of hits of 1960s and '70s, dies at 86

Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,
Past 70, Pavarotti told me the vocal cords are not what they used to be. I’m very fortunate that my voice has held,
Daradaughter
Should’ve Never Let You Go.”
Neil Sedakasinger
I sang it in the auditorium for a ballyhoo show and I remember there was a bit of a riot. The kids were jumping and screaming,

Koizumi hits back at Chinese criticism over Japan's defense buildup

Shinjirō Koizumidefense Minister
In the current security situation, it is essential for us to develop our own defense capabilities without counting on a particular country (for parts procurement),
Shinjirō Koizumidefense Minister
China appears to have been waging a propaganda campaign against us, as if Japan is becoming militaristic,

Japanese gov't owns 11% voting rights in Rapidus to push domestic chip output

Atsuyoshi Koikepresident
Some customers may be bringing into consideration rapidly shifting global affairs,
Atsuyoshi Koikepresident
We are incredibly grateful that we have garnered more support than we had expected amid greater understanding for the need for our industry,
Ryosei Akazawajapanese politician
It is a key element of the investments for growth promoted by the government and a national project that must succeed for the sake of the country's interests,