Tag - islands

 
 

ISLANDS

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 31, 2016
Simmering South China Sea dispute expected to boil after court ruling: experts
The simmering dispute in the contested South China Sea is about to turn to a boil.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 30, 2016
Duterte may invite China to bid for railway projects
The incoming leader of the Philippines has said he will welcome bids by China to build two new railway lines, Philippine media reported Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
May 27, 2016
China's South China Sea quest
What does Beijing want in the South China Sea? The answer is control.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 27, 2016
China seeks to turn disputed South China Sea isles into Maldives-style resorts
China has announced that it will seek to turn some of the disputed islands in the South China Sea into a Maldives-type tourist destination, the state-run China Daily newspaper quoted a top official on Friday as saying.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 26, 2016
Fearing U.S.-Vietnam alliance, Beijing tries to mend fences with Hanoi
China has played down this week's U.S. decision to lift a decades-old ban on sales of lethal arms to Vietnam as it looks to avoid aggravating relations already strained by territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 25, 2016
Chinese harassment of Philippine fishermen in disputed South China Sea eases
Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea have been plying their trade without being harassed by the Chinese coast guard for a month, officials said, in what could be an early sign of easing tensions under incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, who will be sworn in on June 30.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 23, 2016
U.S. lifting of Vietnam arms ban 'good news' for Japan: expert
U.S. President Barack Obama announced Monday the lifting of a decades-old ban on the sale of weapons to Vietnam — a move that could have positive effects for Tokyo's already growing security ties with Hanoi.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 23, 2016
China planning base station for Spratly advanced rescue vessel
A Chinese government bureau is planning a base station for an advanced rescue ship in the disputed Spratly Islands, state media reported on Monday, as China continues its push to develop civilian and military infrastructure in the contentious region.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 21, 2016
Beijing says more than 40 nations back its claim on South China Sea
China's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that more than 40 countries have backed Beijing's position on an international court case over the disputed South China Sea.
ASIA PACIFIC
May 19, 2016
Chinese jets intercept U.S. military spy plane in an 'unsafe' manner
The Pentagon was investigating the "unsafe" intercept Tuesday of a U.S. spy plane by two Chinese fighter jets in the South China Sea, the Department of Defense said Wednesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 18, 2016
In call with White House, Duterte tells Obama he may go bilateral on Beijing talks
U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday to congratulate him on his election win, saying the high voter turnout reflects Manila's "vibrant democracy."
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
May 17, 2016
Philippines detains 25 Chinese fishermen for suspected poaching
Philippine fishing authorities said Tuesday they had detained 25 Chinese crew of two seized fishing boats on suspicion of poaching, a move that could further strain ties between two countries at odds over maritime sovereignty.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 15, 2016
China slams 'hyped-up' Pentagon report on state of its military
Beijing lambasted the U.S. Defense Department on Sunday over its annual report on the state of China's military, calling it a "hyped-up" move that "deliberately distorted the nation's defense policies."
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 14, 2016
Beijing's 'coercive tactics' lay foundation for long-term maritime goals, Pentagon report says
China has used "coercive tactics" to boost its presence and control over disputed areas of the South China Sea and is shifting gears to beef up its military assets in the contested waters, a report released Friday by the Pentagon said.
ASIA PACIFIC
May 14, 2016
China, Thailand set to hold joint military exercises
China and Thailand will hold joint exercises beginning this month, China's Ministry of Defence said Friday, in another sign of improving relations since the Thai military seized power in 2014.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 11, 2016
China says U.S. patrols justify defense facilities in contested waters
China's Defense Ministry traded blame with the U.S. on Wednesday over rising tensions in the South China Sea, a day after Washington sent a guided-missile destroyer near a Chinese-controlled man-made island.

Longform

A woman passes an "akichi" (vacant lot) in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The capital is littered with such small lots in part because of Japan's aging and shrinking population.
Dealing with rising land vacancies as Japan shrinks