Tag - islands

 
 

ISLANDS

Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 17, 2017
Russian foreign minister claims Obama tried to stop Japan from improving ties with Moscow
The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama tried to prevent Japan from improving ties with Russia and hosting a visit by President Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Tuesday during his annual news conference.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 17, 2017
Philippines defense chief calls China arms on South China Sea islands 'troubling'
China's recent installation of weapons on artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea was "very troubling", the Philippines' defense minister said Tuesday, after Manila quietly protested Beijing's activities.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 15, 2017
As Trump era looms, Beijing fortifies the South China Sea
Since last year's surprising election of Donald Trump, Beijing has looked to up the stakes and increase its leverage in the disputed South China Sea. This past December, China seized a U.S. Navy unmanned underwater vehicle near the Philippines. The seizure was made outside of Beijing's expansive and...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2017
Japan scrambles fighters as Chinese bombers transit Tsushima Strait for first time since August
Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets were scrambled Monday after a number of Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force bombers and reconnaissance planes were detected flying over the East China Sea and Sea of Japan, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office in Tokyo said.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 9, 2017
Give us back our troop carriers, Singapore urges Hong Kong
Singapore's defense minister said Monday that nine armored vehicles seized in Hong Kong could not be detained or confiscated, but that he welcomed Hong Kong's pledge that the dispute would be handled in line with the its laws.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 7, 2017
Japan Coast Guard to set up liaison body to help Southeast Asian counterparts deal with China
The Japan Coast Guard plans to establish an organization dedicated to helping Southeast Asian countries improve maritime safety, coast guard officials said, as Tokyo continues to respond to China's growing assertiveness at sea.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 2, 2017
China considering strong measures to contain Taiwan: sources
China's military has become alarmed by what it sees as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 31, 2016
For sake of summit, Japan snubbed G-7 leaders in condemning Russia for Syria crisis
Prime Minister Abe's decision not to join Western leaders in December in condemning Russia over the Syrian civil war because of his summit with Putin is being criticized.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 28, 2016
Russian military buildup on disputed isles clouds resolution of row with Tokyo
Even though Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed their recent agreement on joint economic activities on four disputed islands off Hokkaido is a step toward resolving the territorial row, the islands' strategic importance for Russia is likely to continue complicating...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2016
MSDF spots China's first aircraft carrier sailing into the Pacific
The Maritime Self-Defense Force on Sunday morning spotted China's only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, cruising into the Western Pacific Ocean for the first time via the waterway between Okinawa and Miyakojima Island, the Defense Ministry said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 21, 2016
China uses island-building skills to develop Duterte's backyard
Among the first to gain from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's China pivot could be the people who live on rickety wooden stilt-houses in a waterlogged area of his hometown of Davao City.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 20, 2016
Slow progress for Japan and Russia
Siberian energy deals are set to warm Japan-Russia ties while the peace treaty is put on ice.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 20, 2016
China returns seized U.S. drone at center of diplomatic row
Beijing has returned a U.S. underwater drone seized last week in the South China Sea by a Chinese Navy vessel after "friendly" talks between the two countries, China's Defense Ministry said in a short statement posted to its website Tuesday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 20, 2016
Beijing offers $14 million arms package to the Manila, Philippine defense chief says
China has offered to provide $14 million worth of small arms and fast boats to the Philippines for free, aiding President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs and fighting terrorism, Manila's defense minister said Tuesday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Dec 20, 2016
Undersea arms race: Seizure of U.S. drone shines spotlight on China's nuclear submarine strategy
With its controversial seizure and return of a U.S. underwater drone, Beijing may have inadvertently thrust into the spotlight one of the main motivations behind its ramped-up moves in the South China Sea: the quest to create a safe-haven for its sea-based nuclear deterrent.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 18, 2016
China says it will return seized U.S. undersea drone but accuses Washington of hyping incident
China will return a U.S. drone that was scooped up by its navy in the disputed South China Sea, both countries confirmed Saturday as the row drew in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 17, 2016
Beijing throws down the gauntlet, seizes U.S. undersea drone in South China Sea
China's navy has seized a U.S. underwater survey drone in international waters in the South China Sea, prompting a formal diplomatic protest and a demand for its return Friday, in a confrontation likely to exacerbate already rising tensions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 17, 2016
With Abe-Putin detente, former residents of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido hope to get easier access
Former residents of four islands off Hokkaido that were seized from Japan by Russia in the last days of World War II greeted with cautious optimism Friday's announcement that efforts would be made to simplify visits to their ancestor's gravesites. They also offered specific suggestions on what such efforts...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2016
Abe-Putin summit ends with economic deals but no isle steps
Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Friday to start talks on potential "joint economic activities" they could launch on the four disputed Russia-held islands off Hokkaido, saying it could be an important first step toward resolving their decades-long territorial...
EDITORIALS
Dec 16, 2016
A step forward for Japan-Russia ties
The summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin helped set the stage for future efforts to resolve the long-standing territorial row.

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Tour guide and history buff Rory Dent left his job at a U.K.-based tour operator to move to Japan and start his own business.
Guiding Japan through the challenges of overtourism