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Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (left), South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin (center) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi prior to the trilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Busan, South Korea, in November
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 5, 2024

China, Japan and South Korea looking to hold summit in May, reports say

The three-way talks could follow a summit set for next week in Washington where Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is due to meet U.S. President Joe Biden.
Rescuers prepare supplies before entering Taroko National Park after an earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2024

Local governments in Japan move to support quake-hit Taiwan

Areas in Japan hit by previous disasters are aiming to offer support for Taiwan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield (right) at U.N. headquarters in New York in March
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 5, 2024

U.S. ambassador to U.N. to visit Japan and South Korea this month

The ambassador plans to discuss responses to North Korea, diplomatic sources said.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shakes hands with U.S. President Joe Biden during a trilateral summit at Camp David near Thurmont, Maryland, in August.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Apr 6, 2024

What U.S.-Japan defense shakeup will involve and why

Next week's summit between Biden and Kishida will bring a "historic" upgrade in defense ties between the long-time allies.
U.S. Osprey aircraft hover above an Australian landing helicopter dock ship during a joint exercise between Australian and Philippine troops at a naval base in San Antonio town, Zambales province, on Aug. 25.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 6, 2024

Philippines, U.S., Australia and Japan to hold joint drills in disputed sea

The exercise will take place in the South China Sea — which Beijing claims — days before U.S. President Joe Biden is due to hold a trilateral summit.
Philippine, Australian, Japanese and U.S. warships take part in the four nations' first-ever joint military drills in the South China Sea on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 7, 2024

Philippines, U.S., Australia and Japan hold joint military drills in disputed South China Sea

The exercises came as the Chinese military held a “joint maritime and aerial combat patrol” in an unspecified area of the waterway.
James Schoff, senior director at Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, speaks in an interview in Washington last week.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2024

Expert cites need for stronger U.S. military command in Japan

A U.S. expert has stressed the urgent need for strengthening the functions of the U.S. military command in Japan.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps speak during a news conference following an AUKUS defense ministerial meeting in Mountain View, California, last December.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 9, 2024

U.S., U.K. and Australia consider working with Japan on AUKUS security pact

The three countries said they were weighing inviting Tokyo to join the pact’s second stage, with talks with Japan and others set to begin this year.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his sister, Kim Yo Jong
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2024

Kishida-Kim summit unlikely to happen soon, Japan envoy to U.S. says

Shigeo Yamada said recent statements from North Korea indicate they aren't ready to deal with "outstanding issues of concern" with Japan.
The U.S. military’s Kawakami Ammunition Depot in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. High levels of PFAS have been detected in well water around the facility.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Apr 15, 2024

U.S.-Japan pact hampers PFAS survey at U.S. facility in Hiroshima

The bilateral Status of Forces Agreement gives exclusive authority to the U.S. forces over the management of their facilities in Japan.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House in Washington on Wednesday
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 11, 2024

Biden and Kishida herald 'new era' for U.S.-Japan alliance

The leaders unveiled a historic upgrade of defense ties as they look to beef up Tokyo’s role in countering China’s growing assertiveness.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida attend an event to pledge 250 new cherry blossom trees to Washington at the historic Tidal Basin on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2024

Japan to donate 250 new cherry blossom trees to U.S.

Around 3,700 cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin were donated by Tokyo in 1912 as a symbol of the friendship between Japan and the United States.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attend an an arrival ceremony as part of a state visit by Kishida, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 11, 2024

Global ambitions? U.S. and Japan eye a boosted partnership, but the hurdles are high.

Can Japan truly be America's "global partner"? Experts are divided over the issue.
Missiles are showcased in a parade marking Iran's National Army Day in Tehran on April 18, 2023.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 14, 2024

Japan strongly condemns Iranian attack on Israel as 'escalation'

Japan has traditionally been a friendly nation to Iran, with Prime Minister Kishida meeting Iran' president as recently as September.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa at a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo in March.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 16, 2024

Japan's security environment at its 'most severe and complex,' policy report says

While North Korea and Russia pose challenges, some of the strongest words were reserved for China.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British leader Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the AUKUS partnership, after a trilateral meeting, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego in March last year.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Apr 17, 2024

Benefits and risks: AUKUS looks to take gamble on Japan

The group sees potential benefits in tapping Japan’s strong industrial and technological capacity.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. John Aquilino speaks at the IISS Special Lecture in Singapore in March last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 18, 2024

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Aquilino to visit Japan as term set to expire

Adm. John Aqulino is expected to discuss a planned revamp to the command and control framework for U.S. forces in Japan with the SDF chief of staff.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield poses for a photo with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, on Thursday at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 18, 2024

U.S. envoy to U.N. uses Japan visit to bolster U.N. Security Council

“The Security Council of 70 years ago does not reflect the realities of today,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara is considering visiting Hawaii for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin.
JAPAN
Apr 18, 2024

Japan and U.S. mull holding defense ministers meeting in Hawaii

Kihara and Austin are expected to agree to accelerate efforts to realize more effective command and control systems for the Japan-U.S. alliance.
The Air Self-Defense Force's T-4 jet trainers are expected to be replaced with a new trainer co-developed by Japan and the United States.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 22, 2024

Japan-made jet trainer plans dim after Kishida-Biden summit

Some lawmakers in Japan's ruling bloc have questioned the idea of joint development
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi says the government is  closely monitoring reports about a missing Chinese professor from a Japanese university.
JAPAN
Apr 22, 2024

Japan monitoring reports of professor 'missing' in China

Media reports have said the professor may have been questioned by Chinese authorities before he disappeared.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in New York on Tuesday. The Japanese government’s top spokesman on Wednesday played down the meeting as one conducted "in the capacity of one lawmaker" and “without the government’s involvement.”
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 24, 2024

Japan's former PM Aso meets Trump for talks on security and economy

The visit highlights behind-the-scenes moves by Tokyo to cultivate ties with the Trump camp ahead of November’s U.S. presidential election.
The trial hearing of Masumi Hayashi, who denied killing four people and poisoning 63 at a festival by lacing a pot of curry with arsenic, was the focus of The Japan Times’ front page of May 14, 1999.
JAPAN / History / Japan Times Gone By
May 1, 2024

Japan Times 1999: Hayashi admits fraud, denies curry murders

The disturbing case of the Wakayama curry killer would continue for years, resulting in the eventual execution of the woman convicted of the crime.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in San Francisco in November
JAPAN / Politics
May 1, 2024

Work to improve Japan-China relations has stalled

The biggest issue standing between Japan and China bettering their relations is Beijing's blanket ban on imports of Japanese fishery products.
Members of a group representing family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea hold a news conference in Washington on Tuesday.
JAPAN
May 1, 2024

'No objection' from U.S. to Japan ending sanctions if abductees return

The head of an abductees family group said he wanted Tokyo to carry out "strong diplomatic negotiations behind closed doors."
A prayer space for Muslims set up at a commercial complex in Tokyo. The Japan Tourism Agency is set to provide subsidies for the establishment of such prayer spaces.
JAPAN
May 2, 2024

Japan aims to attract more vegetarian and Muslim visitors

Pictograms showing what ingredients are included in restaurant food and souvenirs will be promoted.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Wednesday before embarking on a trip to France and South American countries.
JAPAN / Politics
May 2, 2024

Kishida and Attal vow to expand Japan-France ties

Attal also expressed his condolences over the recent death of renowned Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
JAPAN / Politics
May 2, 2024

Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia

One of the reasons the U.S. economy is growing is because of immigrants, which countries like Japan shun, President Joe Biden said at a fundraising event.
The National Diet building in Tokyo
JAPAN / Politics
May 4, 2024

Japan says Biden's description of nation as xenophobic is 'unfortunate'

The government said it was "unfortunate that comments not based on an accurate understanding of Japan's policy were made."
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands during a joint statement at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 4, 2024

Japan and Brazil vow cooperation in fighting climate change

Kishida and Lula also agreed to work together to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law.

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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