Jesse Johnson - The Japan Times

ASIA PACIFIC

Jan 5, 2022

North Korea fires apparent ballistic missile in first launch of 2022

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the North Korean missile had flown for about 500 km and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

JAPAN / Politics

Jan 2, 2022

Komeito chief calls for Japan to create Asian security framework

Natsuo Yamaguchi proposed that Japan take the lead in establishing an Asian architecture that would include China and the U.S. in a bid to stem soaring regional tensions.

JAPAN / Politics / Outlook 2022

Jan 1, 2022

For Kishida, 2022 could be make or break in security and diplomatic sphere

The omicron coronavirus variant may throw a wrench in the prime minister's plans to have 2022 be a 'year of actively promoting summit diplomacy.”

JAPAN

Dec 24, 2021

Japan not planning to send senior officials to Beijing Olympics

In an attempt to strike a diplomatic balance in its relationships with both the U.S. and China, only Olympic officials will represent Japan at the Winter Games.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 18, 2021

Japan finally gets a U.S. ambassador as Senate confirms Rahm Emanuel

The U.S. Senate voted 48-21 early Saturday to confirm the 62-year-old ex-Chicago mayor, who is known to be close to President Joe Biden, giving Tokyo its first American envoy in 2u00bd years.

JAPAN

Dec 18, 2021

Chinese aircraft carrier sails near Okinawa islands

The carrier and accompanying ships were expected to hold drills in the Pacific, exercises that were likely to be intended to check military activities in the waters by the U.S. and Japan.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS

Dec 16, 2021

Armed but isolated: North Korea's Kim marks a decade in power

Although seen as inexperienced and lacking the support of key regime figures upon the death of his father, Kim has been able to cement his grip on power over the past 10 years.

JAPAN

Dec 8, 2021

Japan faces delicate balance over Beijing Olympics boycott

Tokyo is reportedly looking to send lower-level officials to the Winter Olympics, a far cry from when then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe traveled to the Pyeongchang Games in 2018.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Dec 7, 2021

'National interests' first: Japan weighs stance as U.S. plans Beijing Olympic boycott

Washington cited Beijing's human rights 'atrocities' in its planned diplomatic boycott, while Tokyo said its own 'national interests' would be key in determining whether to follow suit.

JAPAN / Politics

Dec 4, 2021

Kishida likely to postpone U.S. visit until next year amid omicron concerns, report says

A postponement of Kishida's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden would mean an increasingly busy diplomatic calendar for top Japanese and U.S. officials in the new year.

JAPAN / FOCUS

Nov 30, 2021

Scores hoping to enter Japan in limbo — again — after latest entry ban

The country's new entry measures — which together with Israel are among the world's most stringent — mean that from Tuesday all new visitors are barred from entry.

ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS

Nov 22, 2021

New details on China's hypersonic missiles and nuclear program add to alarm

China's advances in delivery systems, coupled with its bolstered nuclear stockpile, could be employed to prevent U.S. and Japanese intervention in a conflict over Taiwan.

JAPAN

Nov 17, 2021

Japan and U.S. conduct first joint anti-submarine drill in South China Sea

Analysts say that the announcement of the drill was intended to signal the growing U.S.-Japan security partnership amid China's increasingly assertive military moves.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics

Nov 16, 2021

Biden-Xi talks focus on managing intensifying U.S.-China rivalry

Although no major breakthroughs were announced, the White House said the two leaders had discussed “the importance of managing competition responsibly.”

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Nov 10, 2021

Kishida's picks for top diplomat and rights adviser hint at striking balance on China

After just over a month in office, some experts say Kishida may be looking to moderate an increasingly hawkish approach to Tokyo's relationship with Beijing.

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS

Nov 7, 2021

Can South Korea’s main presidential candidates revitalize relations with Japan?

The conservative opposition People Power Party has tapped former top prosecutor Yoon Seok-youl, 60, as its presidential candidate, while the ruling Democratic Party picked Lee Jae-myung, 56.

JAPAN / Politics

Nov 1, 2021

Big-name Japanese politicians chopped down to size in Lower House poll

Sunday's election saw a number of well-known lawmakers lose in their districts, with a handful regaining seats in the lower chamber via the proportional representation system.

JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS

Oct 31, 2021

Bold foreign policy moves unlikely as Kishida bides time ahead of Upper House election

Kishida has laid out pressing foreign policy priorities — from a tougher stance on China to bolstering the U.S.-Japan alliance. But don't expect radical changes from the new leader.

JAPAN / ANALYSIS

Oct 20, 2021

North Korea's new SLBM prompts Japan to consider seeking strike capability

Pyongyang's recent spate of weapons tests have triggered concern in Tokyo, with top officials openly suggesting the possibility of Japan acquiring the ability to attack enemy bases.

JAPAN

Oct 19, 2021

Chinese and Russian navies' Tsugaru Strait transit highlights growing defense ties

The sailing through the narrow strait separating Japan's main island and Hokkaido follows drills between the two nations in the Sea of Japan.

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