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Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 11, 2022
U.S. hails Abe as 'man of vision' as family mourns late former leader
Top diplomat Antony Blinken said he had shared letters from U.S. President Joe Biden with Abe's family and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 10, 2022
With fresh mandate, Kishida set to have hands full in coming months
Fresh off his party's Upper House election victory, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to set his sights on a signature economic policy, Japan's COVID measures and a defense overhaul.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2022
South Korea's Yoon to visit Japanese Embassy to offer condolences over Abe death
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is also likely to dispatch a delegation led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to a government memorial service for Abe later this week.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2022
Seoul steps up moves to mend tattered relationship with Tokyo
South Korea has held the first meeting of a public-private body on wartime labor, with momentum toward improving ties with Japan expected to grow after Sunday's election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2022
Russian warships travel between far-flung Okinawan islands
The announcement was the first time that Japan's Defense Ministry revealed that Russian Navy vessels had passed through the waterway between Yonaguni and Iriomote Islands.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 28, 2022
After support for Ukraine, Kishida aims for NATO unity on China
The leader will stress the need for unity with NATO in preventing China from taking the “wrong lessons” from Ukraine as the bloc looks to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jun 22, 2022
North Korea's Kim presides over major military meeting as nuke test fears grow
The Central Military Commission was set to decide on “important strategic and tactical tasks' for the country's military, the latest signal that a nuclear test may be imminent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 21, 2022
Foreign policy and security top Japan election agenda. But for how long?
With voters expressing worries over inflation and less than three weeks to go before the Upper House poll, there's plenty of time for the political winds to shift.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2022
LDP targets ‘counterstrike capability’ for first time in campaign platform
The shift comes amid growing concerns related to Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang, but critics say it deviates from Japan's traditional defense-oriented policy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 14, 2022
As North Korean missiles fly, Seoul signals need to revitalize intel pact with Tokyo
Pyongyang's record-breaking number of launches this year continues to push Seoul and Tokyo closer after years of soured ties, including on the contentious GSOMIA pact.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2022
Japan defense minister delivers speech targeting 'rule-flouting' nuclear-armed neighbors
Nobuo Kishi said Japan is on the “front lines” with nuclear-armed Russia, China and North Korea, and urged cooperation in halting their attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 8, 2022
North Korean missile barrage adds new dimension to Japan's threat assessment
The launch of eight missiles from four locations in the country builds on earlier training for a strike designed to overwhelm Japanese and South Korean missile defenses, experts say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2022
Japanese government coy on specifics as five-year plan to strengthen defense confirmed
Newly approved economic policy guidelines mention plans to bolster Japan's military over five years without giving a specific spending target — reflecting divisions within the LDP.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 6, 2022
South Korea and U.S. fire off missiles in response to North Korean tests
The two countries' militaries conducted the joint live-fire exercise early Monday, firing off eight surface-to-surface missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 5, 2022
North Korea fires off 'unprecedented' volley of eight ballistic missiles
Japan's defense chief said it was possible that the launches were aimed at improving the North's continuous launch capabilities, which are necessary for conducting saturation attacks.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2022
U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel praises Japan’s decision to 'invest in its own defense'
In an attempt to strengthen both Japan's deterrence capabilities and its ties with Washington, Tokyo is breaking a long-standing taboo on hiking defense spending.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 25, 2022
North Korea launches apparent ICBM, a day after Biden departs Asia
South Korea's military said its nuclear-armed neighbor had launched an apparent long-range missile just a day after U.S. leader Joe Biden wrapped up his first visit to Asia as president.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2022
'Serious concerns' after Russian and Chinese bombers fly near Japan during 'Quad' summit
Japan's defense chief called the moves especially 'provocative' given that Tokyo was hosting the summit of leaders from the United States, India, Australia and Japan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 24, 2022
Biden’s repeated Taiwan remarks could risk triggering the very conflict he seeks to avoid
Analysts say Biden's assertions may highlight his personal views on Taiwan but warned they could risk eroding confidence in Washington and triggering a conflict with China.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 23, 2022
Biden vows to defend Taiwan as Kishida pledges unprecedented hike in defense spending
The U.S. leader's comment — which was at odds with Washington's long-standing policy — came after his first in-person summit with Kishida.

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