Japanese investigative journalists are finding new ways to conduct their work despite restrictive secrecy laws. The Uncovering Asia conference highlighted the challenges and opportunities for investigative journalism in Japan, with a focus on transparency and accountability. Initiatives like Whistleblowing.jp and collaborations with international organizations are helping to push back against government secrecy. The Fukushima disaster served as a catalyst for more critical reporting, but mainstream media still faces pressure to conform. There is potential for new business models to support investigative journalism in Japan, similar to those in South Korea and the Philippines.

Matteo Salvini, former Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, has built his political career by portraying immigration as a threat to European identity, resonating with young Italians who identify as 'identitarians.' GroundTruth Fellows Alessia Cerantola and Lorenzo Bagnoli explore how Salvini's ideas are gaining traction in small Italian towns and at events like the Lega party's festival in Pontida. The article highlights the rise of nationalist sentiments and the influence of far-right ideologies in Italy.

Astypalea, a Greek island, has been declared 'smoke-free' with the support of Papastratos, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International (PMI). However, this status is misleading as it does not impose new restrictions on cigarettes but promotes PMI's IQOS smokeless tobacco device. Similar initiatives have been implemented in other locations, including Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, often involving financial contributions from PMI. These partnerships violate the World Health Organization's anti-smoking treaty, which prohibits cooperation between governments and the tobacco industry. Critics argue that these 'smoke-free' certifications serve as a marketing strategy for PMI to promote IQOS and undermine anti-smoking regulations.

China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), the world's largest cigarette producer, is expanding aggressively into global markets through ethically dubious and sometimes illegal means. Leveraging China's Belt and Road initiative, CNTC has been involved in smuggling, unethical advertising, and violating the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The company's global strategy includes buying tobacco leaves, manufacturing cigarettes, and forging new markets, often in countries where their brands are not legally sold. Despite its success, CNTC's activities put the Chinese government in a contradictory position against its FCTC obligations. The company's expansion has significant implications for global tobacco control and public health.

Matteo Salvini, former Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, has built his political career on anti-immigration rhetoric, resonating with young Italians who identify as 'identitarians.' GroundTruth Fellows Alessia Cerantola and Lorenzo Bagnoli explore how Salvini's ideas are spreading in small Italian towns and at the nationalist Lega party's festival in Pontida. The article critically examines the rise of nationalism and its impact on Italian society.

Italian financial police wiretapped a group of cigarette smugglers and discovered references to a mysterious man named Rodwan Omar Ahmed Elmagrebi, who was allegedly involved in the smuggling operation. Elmagrebi, who owns transport firms Blue Lines SRL and Argan Logistics, denied any involvement in the smuggling of contraband cigarettes manufactured by a subsidiary of the China National Tobacco Corporation. Despite his denials, wiretaps and company records linked him to the operation. Elmagrebi's connections include high-level Libyan and Italian officials, and he maintains a successful transport business between Italy and Libya. Raffaele Truglio, another key figure in the smuggling operation, is currently in jail awaiting trial.

In the early 1990s, journalists Leo Sisti and Leonardo Coen interviewed Bishop Donato de Bonis about a financial scandal involving the Vatican Bank's president, Paul Marcinkus. Their book on the scandal saw major success. Decades later, the media landscape in Italy has evolved, with more coverage of Church scandals. Journalists Emiliano Fittipaldi and Gianluigi Nuzzi faced prosecution for their exposés on the Holy See's financial mismanagement but were not tried due to jurisdictional issues. The Vatican has since worked towards greater transparency and financial accountability. Investigations by reporters like Amalia De Simone and Giovanni Viafora have highlighted abusive practices and complex financial structures within the Church, leading to calls for change and transparency.

An investigation revealed a smuggling network involving China Tobacco International Europe Company (CTIEC) and organized crime groups, including Italy's Camorra. The network smuggled Chinese-made cigarettes into Europe, exploiting legal loopholes and engaging in illicit activities. CTIEC, a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation, was found to be shipping large quantities of cigarettes to suspicious buyers in conflict zones and regions known for smuggling. The operation was linked to an executive at CTIEC, Adina Ionescu, who provided support to smugglers. The case highlights China Tobacco's expansion into new markets through smuggling, a strategy historically used by tobacco companies. Italian authorities, including the Guardia di Finanza, conducted raids and investigations, leading to arrests and exposing the involvement of various individuals and companies in the smuggling ring.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has suspended planned investments in Russia and halted marketing activities and the launch of Ploom X due to the sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, JTI, which is partially owned by Japan's Ministry of Finance, will continue to operate its factories in Russia. This decision contrasts with other corporations like McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks, which have ceased operations in Russia. British American Tobacco initially announced partial measures but later decided to divest from Russia. The situation reflects the tension between profit pursuits in Russia and the pressure to comply with sanctions.

Senior customs officials in Italy, including Concetta Anna Di Pietro, were implicated in a corruption scandal involving Philip Morris, which allegedly bribed officials to gain market advantages over competitors like British American Tobacco. Wiretaps revealed that customs officials delayed tax increases and conducted raids on tobacconists displaying unauthorized advertisements. The scandal also questioned the integrity of the EU's track-and-trace system for tobacco products, with Philip Morris and its close associate, Fata Logistic Systems, accused of compromising the system. Nine people were arrested, but released after serving short house arrests. The case highlights ongoing issues of corruption and market manipulation within Italy's tobacco industry.