

Japan lifts quake advisory but urges continued caution
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted a special advisory for further earthquakes and tsunamis in the Hokkaido and Sanriku coastal areas at the end of Monday, one week after it was initially issued. On Dec. 8, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture, causing severe shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese shindo scale in the city of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. Tsunami warnings and advisories were issued fro


China to reimpose ban on Japanese seafood imports amid row over Taiwan, reports say
China will reimpose a ban on imports of Japanese seafood products, media reports said Wednesday, as the diplomatic row over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent comments on Taiwan escalated and officials girded for a prolonged dispute. The ban would effectively be a return to one put in place in August 2023, following Japan’s release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Tokyo and Beijing reached an agreement in September last year to resume im


Takaichi and Xi reaffirm pledge in first meet to pursue ‘mutually beneficial’ ties
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi allayed fears she would take a more hawkish approach to Beijing in her first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, conveying instead her will to “deepen their personal relationship” and promote a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the city of Gyeongju in South Korea on Friday as part of efforts to reassure each


Takaichi to make diplomatic debut at ASEAN summit in Malaysia
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office Tuesday, departed for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday as she makes her diplomatic debut during meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the weekend. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives for an extraordinary session of parliament in Tokyo on Friday Takaichi will emphasize the importance of Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) initiative as well as free trade, aiming to demonstrate Tokyo's presence in th


Takaichi poised to become Japan's first female PM after winning LDP poll
Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday was elected the first female president of the Liberal Democratic Party — and...


Man arrested in Kobe stabbing had been staying at hotel near victim’s home
A 35-year-old man who was arrested Friday in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old woman in Kobe had been staying at a...


Shiga police chief apologizes to ex-assistant nurse acquitted after prison term
HIKONE, SHIGA PREF. – The chief of Shiga Prefectural Police department apologized Thursday to a former assistant nurse who was acquitted...


DRC: Tshisekedi wants genocide declared in conflict-hit regions
As the ninth edition of TICAD approaches, Japan is doubling down on its collaborative investment and innovation agenda across Africa....


Japan investors brace for BOJ and earnings results after Trump-fueled rally
Japan’s surprise trade deal with the U.S. sent its markets on a wild ride, pushing stocks to all-time highs and fueling a selloff in...


Parties to test political waters in Tokyo election ahead of Upper House vote
Japan's efforts to achieve wage growth are reflected in this year's honebuto no hōshin — a document that sets economic and fiscal...











