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Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya shakes hands with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the signing of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between Japan and Italy in Rome on Monday.
JAPAN
Nov 25, 2024

Japan and Italy to share fuel and ammo under new logistics deal

The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement will also enable the rapid mobilization of aid in case of emergencies and natural disasters.
Akihisa Nagashima (center), a special adviser to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, meets with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell during a recent visit to Washington in this image posted to Campbell's X account.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 26, 2024

Key Ishiba adviser visits U.S. as Japan builds inroads to Trump camp

Akihisa Nagashima has held talks with Republican lawmakers and others close to President-elect Donald Trump.
A concept model of the Global Combat Air Program's fighter jet is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba in March last year. Europe’s defense industry sees “very significant potential” to further deepen cooperation with Japanese firms in areas ranging from space tech to advanced electronics and unmanned weapons systems, a key lobbying group has said.
JAPAN
Nov 27, 2024

European defense industry sees ‘significant potential’ to work with Japan

The remarks by industry officials come after Tokyo and Brussels launched a new security and defense partnership earlier this month.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova at a news conference in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, in June
JAPAN
Nov 28, 2024

Russia says it will respond if U.S. places missiles in Japan

A report on Sunday said that Japan and the U.S. aim to compile a joint military plan for a possible Taiwan emergency that includes deploying missiles.
A Chinese J-16 fighter jet is seen during a joint patrol with Russian forces on Friday.
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2024

China and Russia conduct joint military air patrol near Japan

This was the eighth large-scale joint flight by military aircraft from the two countries near Japan and the first since December last year.
Chinese people's sentiment toward Japan is believed to be impacted by their use of social media platforms such as Weibo and Douyin, as well as whether they have visited Japan.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 3, 2024

Nearly 90% in Japan and China have negative views of other

The proportion of Japanese respondents who said they had a negative view of China stood at 89.0%, down 3.2 percentage points from a year before.
Donna Nelson says her life was turned upside down when she learned that the man she was falling for had tricked her into smuggling 2 kilograms of methamphetamine into Japan.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 3, 2024

Australian says romance scam tricked her into smuggling drugs into Japan

Donna Nelson says her life was turned upside down when she learned that the man she was falling for had tricked her into smuggling drugs.
Activated on Wednesday, U.S. Space Forces Japan — a component similar to the one established at South Korea’s Osan Air Base in 2022 — will operate out of Yokota Air Base in the city of Fussa, western Tokyo, with a staff of about 10.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Dec 4, 2024

U.S. Space Force launches first unit in Japan

The move is part of an effort to boost coordination and interoperability with its ally, including the Air Self-Defense Force’s own Space Operations Group
Mir, a 12-year-old male Siberian cat gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Akita Prefecture, died from an illness Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2024

Cat that Putin gifted to Japan's Akita Prefecture dies at age 12

The prefecture gave a dog to Vladimir Putin to thank Russia for its help after the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and Putin gave the male cat in return.
Donna Nelson (fourth from left) with her family members. Nelson was found guilty of smuggling drugs to Japan.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 4, 2024

Australian woman given six-year sentence over Japan drug smuggling

Donna Nelson has said that she was a victim of an online romance scam and that she was not aware she was carrying luggage containing illegal drugs.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met in Italy in October and in Australia last month, so they will be meeting for the third consecutive month if Austin visits Japan next week.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2024

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin planning to visit Japan next week

Japan and the U.S. aim to confirm their intention to further beef up their alliance, Japanese government sources said.
The Japanese government is considering several proposals regarding visas for Chinese visitors, including simplifying document procedures and expanding the scope of those eligible for multiple short-term visas.
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2024

Japan to ease visa requirements for Chinese visitors

The move comes after China reinstated its short-term visa waiver for Japanese visitors at the end of last month.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responds to questions from the press corps at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 5, 2024

Martial law turmoil will likely affect Japan-South Korea ties

Some Japanese government officials are struggling to understand President Yoon Suk Yeol's intention, saying the martial law issuance was surprising and unexpected.
The United States was Japan’s biggest export destination in 2023 with cars and auto parts making up a third of shipments.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 6, 2024

Japan eyes talks with Trump that include cutting auto tariffs

Analysts say close personal ties between Trump and late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played a role in smoothing out trade and diplomatic relations.
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko pose for a commemorative photo with Turkish government officials and performers after watching performances at the Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul on Thursday.
JAPAN
Dec 6, 2024

Crown prince and crown princess mark Japan-Turkey diplomatic ties

The pair attended a ceremony in Istanbul on Thursday to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
A screen grab from video footage taken Wednesday by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) shows a China Coast Guard ship (right) and a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel in disputed South China Sea waters.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 8, 2024

Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines to hold maritime talks

The three countries will discuss the South China Sea situation, where China has increased activities and ways to strengthen a free and open maritime order.
Crown Prince Akishino gives a speech at an event in Istanbul on Thursday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey.
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2024

Japan's crown prince and crown princess return from visit to Turkey

On Thursday, the couple attended a ceremony in Istanbul to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shakes hands with his Finnish counterpart, Petteri Orpo, at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 11, 2024

Japan and Finland agree to boost security cooperation

The two leaders welcomed the start of Japan-Finland negotiations to conclude a treaty on the transfer of defense equipment and technology.
Shiro Yamanaka, head of Uber Japan (right), introduces the Uber Teens service during a news conference in Tokyo Wednesday.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2024

Uber Japan launches taxi service for teenagers

Uber Teens can provide parents with real-time location data and audio recordings from taxis.
Akihisa Nagashima, national security adviser to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 13, 2024

Japan must brace and prepare for Trump tariffs, top adviser says

"Japan must be prepared for Trump following through on his plans,” says Prime Minister Ishiba's national security adviser Akihisa Nagashima.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks with students from Okayama University about the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens decades ago, in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2024

Japan ready to team up with Trump over North Korea abduction issue

In a symposium on the issue held by the Japanese government in Tokyo, Hayashi condemned North Korea, saying, "In essence, it is an infringement of national sovereignty."
George Glass in July 2017
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 15, 2024

Trump reportedly eyeing businessman George Glass as envoy to Japan

Glass, who served as ambassador to Portugal under Trump's first administration, is one of the biggest fund donors who supported his comeback as U.S. president.
A Ground Self-Defense Force's soldier takes part in a marine landing drill on Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, in November 2023. The Philippines has ratified a defense pact with Japan that allows them to deploy troops on each other's soil.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2024

Philippines ratifies key defense pact with Japan

Lawmakers in Tokyo need to vote through the treaty before it takes effect.
Businessman George Glass has been selected by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to be the next ambassador to Japan.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2024

Trump picks businessman George Glass as Japan ambassador

Glass, who served as ambassador to Portugal during Trump's first administration, is known as one of the biggest fundraisers for his reelection bid.
Environmental activist Paul Watson waves after getting released from prison in Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2024

Japan 'regrets' release of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson

The 74-year-old Canadian-American activist was released after Copenhagen turned down Tokyo's request to bring him to Japan.
Dutch air force F-35 fighter jets take part in drills with NATO countries in March 2023.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2024

Dutch eyeing F-35 Indo-Pacific deployment in 2026, Japan envoy says

Rising geopolitical tensions are driving the Netherlands to work “more closely than ever before” with Indo-Pacific countries, particularly Japan.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (right) and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on Dec. 10 prior to talks on political, trade and economic relations
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2024

Finnish PM seeks boosted military tech ties with Japan

“Finland is keen to deepen bilateral relations, and Japan is an important strategic partner for Finland,” Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told The Japan Times.
One of two Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Type 056 gray corvettes is seen docked at a pier at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base on Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2024

Cambodia to grant Japan visitation rights to China-linked naval base

Hun Sen, Cambodia's Senate president, announced the decision to grant U.S. ally Japan access during a visit by Takeo Akiba, its national security adviser.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky delivers a speech during a handover ceremony of Self-Defense Force vehicles to Ukraine, at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, in May last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 22, 2024

Zelenskyy to replace Ukraine ambassador to Japan

Sergiy Korsunsky played a key role in galvanizing Tokyo’s support for Kyiv amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Passengers of the urban railway line that opened in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Sunday
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2024

Vietnam's first subway opens with help from Japan

The project's total cost was estimated at ¥212 billion.

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Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan