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Saury are unloaded at a port in Akkeshi, Hokkaido, this month.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 29, 2023

Hokkaido hit hard by China's ban on Japan seafood imports

Chinese demand for products like scallops and sea cucumbers provides a crucial source of revenue for the prefecture.
Police and security personnel stand outside the entrance of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday. Japan said that harassment being faced by its citizens in China after the Fukushima water release was "extremely regrettable," confirming that a brick was thrown at the country's embassy in Beijing.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 31, 2023

Fukushima water release dampens chances of Japan-China detente

Japan is now bracing for a new period of wide-ranging tensions with its neighbor as the strained ties look likely to continue into the months ahead.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (center) visits a seafood wholesaler at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 31, 2023

Japan announces new fishing industry aid after China ban

The new aid follows a ¥30 billion fund aimed at countering reputational damage. Another ¥50 billion had been earmarked to support the fishing industry.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel after eating fish during his visit to Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Thursday
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 31, 2023

U.S. ambassador to Japan visits Fukushima in show of support

Japan has sought an immediate end to the ban and threatened to resolve the matter through the WTO framework.
Visitors at the Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo on Aug. 25
JAPAN / Society
Sep 1, 2023

China banned seafood from Japan. Some tourists are eating it in Tokyo.

Travelers from China seem largely unfazed despite the ban, with many local seafood restaurants seeing little impact so far.
A sign reading "Suspend the sale of all fish products imported from Japan" is seen in an area of Japanese restaurants in Beijing on Aug. 27.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 2, 2023

Japan rebuts China's criticism of Fukushima water release

The criticism has included claims that run counter to the view of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Dmitry Medvedev
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 3, 2023

Russia's Medvedev: Japan's 'militarization' complicates Asia-Pacific

Relations between Russia and Japan have been marked by a territorial disputes over a handful of small islands off Hokkaido.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters on Monday evening at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 5, 2023

Japan OKs additional fisheries aid and ups pressure on China

Support for the industry now tops ¥100 billion, as the government struggles to soothe fears over contaminated water at home and abroad.
Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's minister of economy, trade and industry, attends a bilateral ministerial meeting with his British counterpart on economic security in London on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2023

Japan and Britain confirm close economic security partnership

Japan and Britain adopted a joint statement aimed at strengthening supply chains for critical mineral resources.
Tokyo's Ginza district. On Thursday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said one person tested positive for BA.2.86 on Aug. 24.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 8, 2023

New COVID variant detected in Japan amid wave of infections

While there’s no evidence so far that it causes more severe illness, experts say it may be more capable of infecting people who have been infected before.
An official explains the National Defense Report at the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2023

Japan elevates Taiwan security ties in move likely to rile China

The defense ministry said it would only pursue "nongovernmental" ties with Taipei.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, a day after she was named as the replacement of Yoshimasa Hayashi (right) in a Cabinet reshuffle.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 14, 2023

Japan's new foreign minister: A change in face, not policy

Yoko Kamikawa's appointment as foreign minister — the first time a women assumed the role in 19 years — is unlikely to bring a change in policy.
New Defense Minister Minoru Kihara says Japan-U.S. joint drills are very important for strengthening the U.S. commitment to the region.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2023

Japan and U.S. boosting joint drills with eye on 'actual combat'

The exercises are intended to prepare forces in areas where a contingency could be possible, in view of military activity by China and Russia.
A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine targeting BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants. Japan will roll out an updated version targeting the XBB variant on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Explainer
Sep 19, 2023

Japan to begin COVID vaccine drive targeting XBB subvariant

The free shots will be offered until March next year to prepare residents for an expected uptick in infections during the winter.
Financial Services Agency officials enter Bigmotor's Tama outlet in western Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 19, 2023

Watchdog starts on-site probe of Bigmotor and Sompo Japan

The investigation aims to dig deeper into the insurance fraud scandal by the leading used-car dealer. The probe is likely to take several months.
An All Nippon Airways employee (left) escorts a group of Chinese tourists and a tour conductor (right) at the arrival lobby of Haneda Airport in Tokyo in August.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 20, 2023

Chinese visitors help Japan edge toward pre-pandemic tourism levels

Inbound tourism, counted as an export of services, has been a bright spot in Japan’s economic recovery.
South Korean Ambassador to Japan Yun Duk-min speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2023

South Korea seeks revived China-Japan summit to shore up ties

Senior officials from the three Asian nations are set to meet in Seoul on Sept. 26.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a high-level Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly, at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 22, 2023

As Kishida takes center stage, Japan's diplomacy enters a new phase

The prime minister looks set to take on a larger role in representing the country on the world stage as he struggles to build a legacy domestically.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 23, 2023

Solomon Islands leader 'appalled' by Japan on Fukushima water

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare warned of effects on his South Pacific archipelago.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel gives a speech at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 23, 2023

U.S. envoy to Japan slams China in speech and social media post

Rahm Emanuel posted pictures of Chinese boats he said were fishing near Japan despite Beijing's seafood ban over the Fukushima water release.
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur
JAPAN
Sep 24, 2023

Japan to discuss carbon storage with Malaysia

Japan plans is to store 120 to 240 million tons of carbon dioxide per year underground, which is 10% to 20% of current output.
Sanae Takaichi, minister in charge of science and technology policy, speaks at an annual meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 26, 2023

Japan and China clash over Fukushima water at IAEA meeting

The IAEA released a report in July concluding that the water discharge plan was consistent with international safety standards.
(From left) Takehiro Funakoshi, Chung Byung-won and Nong Rong, senior diplomats from Japan, South Korea and China, respectively, before their meeting in Seoul on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 26, 2023

Japan, China and South Korea hold talks to realize trilateral summit

The meeting aims in part to set the stage for the resumption of three-way summits among the countries' leaders, which were last held in 2019.
American disability rights activist Helen Keller paid a visit to Japan 75 years ago this month.
JAPAN / History / Japan Times Gone By
Oct 2, 2023

Japan Times 1948: Helen Keller recounts impression of Japan tour

Kanto residents continued to come to terms with the violence following the previous month's earthquake, and Helen Keller pays a visit to Japan.
Tanks containing water from the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 4, 2023

Russia says Japan did not fully inform it about Fukushima water

"Japan has failed to properly respond to these issues and to guarantee the absence of a threat, including a long-term one," a spokesperson has said.
Workers check tritium levels in treated radioactive water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant on Tuesday ahead of a water release set for Thursday.
JAPAN
Oct 5, 2023

Japan begins releasing second batch of treated Fukushima water

The release, part of a decommissioning process expected to take decades, has stirred tensions with some neighboring nations.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Defense Minister Minoru Kihara to the Pentagon in Washington on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 5, 2023

Japan expedites purchase of Tomahawks as security concerns grow

In light of the increasingly challenging Asian security environment, Japan will acquire the cruise missiles a year earlier than initially planned.
Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano (left) and Chang Ho-jin, South Korea's first vice foreign minister, in Seoul on Thursday
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2023

Japan and South Korea hold first strategic dialogue in nine years

The meeting was attended by Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano and Chang Ho-jin, South Korea's first vice foreign minister.
A group of Chinese tourists arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo in August.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 11, 2023

Japan public opinion turns most negative on China in nine years

More than 92% of respondents to the Japanese section of the poll said their impression of China was "not good,” up from 87% last year.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a high level Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 20.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 11, 2023

Ukraine fatigue unlikely to reach Japan anytime soon

Japan’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast at a time when popular opinion across several Western countries shows growing signs of weariness.

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?