Jesse Johnson - The Japan Times

November 04, 2025

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Jesse Johnson

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 10, 2018

U.S. accuses Beijing of 'provocative militarization' in South China Sea

The Trump administration has issued some of its strongest words yet on China's moves in the disputed South China Sea, accusing Beijing of "provocative militarization" of the strategic waterway, according to a top State Department official.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 9, 2018

Former leading Chinese general latest 'tiger' to be caught in Xi anti-corruption net

In a stunning fall from grace, Chinese state-run media reported Tuesday that Gen. Fang Fenghui, a former member of China's powerful Central Military Commission and former chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, had been referred to military prosecutors on suspicion of bribery.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Jan 8, 2018

Nikki Haley defends Trump's 'nuclear button' tweet, says it keeps North Korea's Kim 'on his toes'

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley has defended President Donald Trump over his recent "nuclear button" tweet, denying that it hurts Washington's credibility with its allies and calling such moves necessary to keep North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "on his toes."

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Jan 7, 2018

Trump puts rhetoric aside, says he'd be open to talking with North Korean leader Kim

U.S. President Donald Trump holstered his fiery rhetoric toward nuclear-armed North Korea and its leader, saying Saturday that he would "absolutely" be open to talks over the phone with Kim Jong Un.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 15, 2017

As focus shifts to North Korea, China keeps building on disputed islands

While global attention has been fixated on the North Korean nuclear crisis over the past year, China has further fortified its man-made outposts in the disputed South China Sea in a bid to create "fully functioning air and naval bases," a think tank said Thursday.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 13, 2017

In move that could alienate Japan, Tillerson says U.S. willing to talk to North Korea 'without preconditions'

In a shift that could put Washington at odds with Tokyo, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appears to be ready for talks with North Korea without preconditions.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 12, 2017

ASDF stages large-scale drills with U.S. bombers and stealth fighters near Korean Peninsula

Advanced U.S. stealth fighters and strategic bombers linked up with Air Self-Defense Force aircraft in airspace near Okinawa Prefecture on Tuesday in some of the largest joint exercises since North Korea's test of a long-range missile late last month, the ASDF said.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 12, 2017

U.S., South Korea may delay annual joint military exercises during Winter Olympics

Seoul and Washington are reportedly considering delaying annual joint military exercises until after the Winter Olympics in a bid to stave off provocative actions by North Korea during the Pyeongchang Games in South Korea.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS

Dec 6, 2017

U.N. official's visit to North Korea may set stage for talks on nuclear issue

Timing, the old adage goes, is everything, and in attempting to peel back the thick layer of mystery surrounding North Korea's nuclear intentions, the timing of its decision to follow through on its long-standing invite for a top United Nations official to visit may offer insight into a renewed diplomatic...

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 6, 2017

U.S. flies strategic bomber over Korean Peninsula in show of force against North Korea

The U.S. military sent a B-1B strategic bomber from Guam over the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday for a massive joint exercise with the South Korean Air Force this week, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said amid heightened tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 6, 2017

Pentagon says it's not looking at moving military families out of South Korea amid rising tensions with North

The Pentagon said Wednesday that it is not currently looking at moving military dependents, spouses and children, from South Korea despite a plea by a prominent U.S. senator to do so amid soaring tensions with North Korea over its nuclear arms and missile programs.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 4, 2017

Leading U.S. senator urges Pentagon to evacuate military families from South Korea as threat of war grows

A top Republican lawmaker has urged the Pentagon to begin moving U.S. military dependents — wives and children — out of South Korea, warning that war with nuclear-armed North Korea is "getting close."

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 3, 2017

Top White House official says odds of war with North Korea are 'increasing every day'

A top White House official said Saturday that the odds of war breaking out with Pyongyang are moving closer to reality with each day, remarks that came just ahead of joint U.S.-South Korean air force drills — including simulated attacks on mock North Korean nuclear and missile targets.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 3, 2017

North Korea says Trump is 'begging for nuclear war' ahead of massive military exercises

North Korea has said U.S. President Donald Trump is "begging for nuclear war," labeling Washington a "nuclear demon" for the staging of a massive joint aerial military drill with South Korea scheduled to kick off Monday.

ASIA PACIFIC

Dec 2, 2017

China confirms deployment of fighters to South China Sea island for first time

China has for the first time confirmed the deployment of fighter jets to Woody Island in the disputed South China Sea, state media have reported.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 2, 2017

Jim Mattis and Itsunori Onodera condemn North Korea's 'reckless, outlaw behavior'

U.S. defense chief Jim Mattis and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera have condemned North Korea's test of a new type of long-range missile, with the pair blasting Pyongyang for its "reckless, outlaw behavior."

Japan Times

JAPAN

Nov 29, 2017

Was North Korea's latest missile launch an olive branch in disguise?

North Korea's firing of its most powerful missile to date has some saying the lengths taken by it to stress its commitment to peace suggests it may be open to renewed dialogue.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Nov 29, 2017

North Korea says nuclear push completed as missile test puts entire U.S. within striking distance

North Korea's firing of its most powerful missile to date has some saying the lengths taken by it to stress its commitment to peace suggests it may be open to renewed dialogue.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Nov 28, 2017

Top Chinese military official hangs himself amid corruption probe

A top Chinese general hanged himself at his home last week after becoming the latest prominent official to be swept up in President Xi Jinping's wide-ranging corruption campaign, state-run media reported Tuesday.

Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Nov 27, 2017

Former U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman says use of nukes 'more probable' with 'unpredictable' Kim

A former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff says use of nuclear weapons has grown more likely amid increasing uncertainty over North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's intentions.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.

The second life of Japan's net cafes

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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