WEATHER ALERT
Japan records a trade deficit in October for a 4th straight month, despite export recovery
Read full article: Japan records a trade deficit in October for a 4th straight month, despite export recoveryJapan racked up a trade deficit in October for the fourth month in a row, as a weak yen and rising energy prices kept import costs high.
Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, master of modern free verse, dies at 92
Read full article: Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, master of modern free verse, dies at 92Shuntaro Tanikawa, who pioneered modern Japanese poetry, poignant but conversational in its divergence from haiku and other traditions, has died.
Japan's minister visits Ukraine to stress mutual concern over North Korean troops
Read full article: Japan's minister visits Ukraine to stress mutual concern over North Korean troopsJapan’s foreign minister has arrived in Kyiv to discuss North Korea’s deepening military alliance with Russia, including the deployment of thousands of troops to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Biden praises cooperation at meeting with South Korean, Japanese leaders amid North Korea worries
Read full article: Biden praises cooperation at meeting with South Korean, Japanese leaders amid North Korea worriesPresident Joe Biden praised the cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the U_S_ at countering what he described as North Korea’s “dangerous and destabilizing cooperation with Russia.”.
Japan's economy grows for a second straight quarter on the back of consumer spending
Read full article: Japan's economy grows for a second straight quarter on the back of consumer spendingJapan’s economy eked out an annual rate of 0.9% growth in the July-September quarter as consumer spending held up.
Ishiba survived a rare runoff to remain Japan's prime minister but will face turmoil
Read full article: Ishiba survived a rare runoff to remain Japan's prime minister but will face turmoilJapanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has survived a runoff vote against the opposition but will face turmoil ahead amid anger over the ruling party’s financial scandals.
US flies long-range bomber in drill with South Korea, Japan in reaction to the North's missile test
Read full article: US flies long-range bomber in drill with South Korea, Japan in reaction to the North's missile testSouth Korea says the U.S. has flown a long-range bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan in response to North Korea’s recent test-firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland.
Japan has grounded its V-22 Osprey fleet again after flight incident
Read full article: Japan has grounded its V-22 Osprey fleet again after flight incidentJapan has grounded its fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft again after an incident last Sunday where one of the hybrid helicopter-aircraft tilted unexpectedly while trying to take off.
Japan celebrates as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series with Dodgers
Read full article: Japan celebrates as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series with DodgersThe World Series trophy is headed to Los Angeles, but there’s a hearty celebration going on across the Pacific Ocean in Japan, too.
Shohei Ohtani's rural hometown honors its superstar son -- from city hall to the hair salons
Read full article: Shohei Ohtani's rural hometown honors its superstar son -- from city hall to the hair salonsShohei Ohtani’s hometown in northern Japan is a rural place, famous for its high-quality Maesawa beef, its history of making traditional ironware and the intense green hills and mountains that surround it.
Japan prepares to cheer on Ohtani and the Dodgers, and the country is dressing for the occasion
Read full article: Japan prepares to cheer on Ohtani and the Dodgers, and the country is dressing for the occasionTelevision ratings in Japan have set records as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani have reached the World Series against the New York Yankees.
Japan, UK and Italy to expedite next-generation fighter jet to replace F-2s and Eurofighter Typhoons
Read full article: Japan, UK and Italy to expedite next-generation fighter jet to replace F-2s and Eurofighter TyphoonsThe defense ministers of Japan, the U.K. and Italy have agreed to accelerate the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet.
'This is the beginning': 91-year-old sister of longest death row inmate sees hope in his acquittal
Read full article: 'This is the beginning': 91-year-old sister of longest death row inmate sees hope in his acquittalAfter helping lead the fight to free her younger brother from nearly a half-century on death row, Hideko Hakamada feels she and her brother are beginning a new chapter of their lives.
Trump compares jailed Capitol rioters to Japanese internment during World War II
Read full article: Trump compares jailed Capitol rioters to Japanese internment during World War IIFormer President Donald Trump said that rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 are being treated like Japanese Americans who were incarcerated on U.S. soil during World War II.
US warns of growing North Korean military support for Russia's war
Read full article: US warns of growing North Korean military support for Russia's warU.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says Washington and its allies are “alarmed” by North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats as well as its increasing military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Japan’s Toho acquires North American animation company GKIDS, Studio Ghibli's US steward
Read full article: Japan’s Toho acquires North American animation company GKIDS, Studio Ghibli's US stewardThe Japanese entertainment giant Toho has reached an agreement to acquire the Oscar-winning animation outfit GKIDS, the companies said Tuesday.
Nobel prize for A-bomb survivors' group boosts hope for Japanese seeking a nuke-free world
Read full article: Nobel prize for A-bomb survivors' group boosts hope for Japanese seeking a nuke-free worldFor many Japanese survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their relatives, Friday’s awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to a Japanese organization against nuclear weapons gives them hope for a new momentum to push for a nuclear-free world.
Japan's new leader expresses regret for governing party slush fund scandal, vows stronger defense
Read full article: Japan's new leader expresses regret for governing party slush fund scandal, vows stronger defenseNew Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has opened his first policy speech in office by expressing deep regrets over the governing party’s slush funds scandal that dogged his predecessor.
An American bomb from WWII explodes at a Japanese airport, leaving a crater on the taxiway
Read full article: An American bomb from WWII explodes at a Japanese airport, leaving a crater on the taxiwayA U.S. bomb from World War II has exploded at a Japanese airport, causing a large crater in a taxiway and the cancellation of more than 80 flights.
Japanese sponsors Toyota, Bridgestone and Panasonic end Olympic contracts
Read full article: Japanese sponsors Toyota, Bridgestone and Panasonic end Olympic contractsThe International Olympic Committee’s three major Japanese sponsors — Toyota, Panasonic and Bridgestone — are terminating their contracts.
Japan's new Prime Minister Ishiba vows to push a strong defense under the Japan-US alliance
Read full article: Japan's new Prime Minister Ishiba vows to push a strong defense under the Japan-US allianceJapan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is pledging to stick to the vital Japan-U.S. alliance while calling for it to be more equitable.
Kishida's legacy: Scandals and compromise at home, global respect for security and diplomacy
Read full article: Kishida's legacy: Scandals and compromise at home, global respect for security and diplomacyJapan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will resign Tuesday, handing over leadership to his successor Shigeru Ishiba, who says he plans to call a snap election for Oct. 27.
Ex-Defense Minister Ishiba chosen to lead Japan's ruling party and become prime minister
Read full article: Ex-Defense Minister Ishiba chosen to lead Japan's ruling party and become prime ministerJapan’s governing party has picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week.
Japan celebrates as Ohtani becomes the first major leaguer to reach 50-50 milestone
Read full article: Japan celebrates as Ohtani becomes the first major leaguer to reach 50-50 milestoneShohei Ohtani's feat of becoming the first major leaguer with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season was met with extra editions of newspapers for fans to read on their way to work.
Ohtani keeps showing a flair for the dramatic during his historic 1st season with the Dodgers
Read full article: Ohtani keeps showing a flair for the dramatic during his historic 1st season with the DodgersShohei Ohtani keeps showing a flair for the dramatic during his historic first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chinese aircraft carrier comes closer than ever to Japan
Read full article: Chinese aircraft carrier comes closer than ever to JapanA Chinese aircraft carrier entered Japan’s contiguous waters for the first time on Wednesday, leading Tokyo to convey its “serious concerns” to Beijing over China’s increasingly assertive military actions around Japan, officials said.
Biden to host 'Quad' leaders from Australia, India and Japan in his Delaware hometown
Read full article: Biden to host 'Quad' leaders from Australia, India and Japan in his Delaware hometownPresident Joe Biden will host the leaders of Australia, India and Japan next weekend in his Wilmington, Delaware, hometown, the White House announced, as he looks to burnish his legacy before leaving office in January.
A record 9 lawmakers are vying to become Japan's leader, with pledges of change and stronger defense
Read full article: A record 9 lawmakers are vying to become Japan's leader, with pledges of change and stronger defenseA record nine Japanese lawmakers have formally entered the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as head of the governing party and leader of the nation, hoping to regain public support for the party following corruption scandals.
The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expert
Read full article: The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expertJapan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement.
Japanese 7-Eleven convenience store chain operator turns down Couche-Tard takeover offer
Read full article: Japanese 7-Eleven convenience store chain operator turns down Couche-Tard takeover offerThe parent company of the Japanese 7-Eleven convenience store chain is turning down a takeover offer from Alimentation Couche-Tard of Canada.
White House signaling it will likely stop Nippon Steel's plans to buy US Steel
Read full article: White House signaling it will likely stop Nippon Steel's plans to buy US SteelThe White House is signaling an openness to formally blocking the acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel, as a government review of the proposed takeover by the Japanese company is on the cusp of ending.
Outgoing Japanese leader Kishida will visit South Korea for a summit on improving ties
Read full article: Outgoing Japanese leader Kishida will visit South Korea for a summit on improving tiesOutgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is going to South Korea to improve the two country's relations.
Global benchmarks are mixed in cautious trading ahead of US holiday and jobs report
Read full article: Global benchmarks are mixed in cautious trading ahead of US holiday and jobs reportGlobal shares are mixed in cautious trading ahead of the Labor Day holiday in the U.S. Investors also are looking ahead to the U.S. employment report set for release later this week for an indication of the strength of the American economy.
Japan's defense ministry seeks record budget as it faces growing threat from China
Read full article: Japan's defense ministry seeks record budget as it faces growing threat from ChinaJapan’s Defense Ministry has sought a record 8.5 trillion yen or $59 billion budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China’s increasing threat.
Evacuation ordered in northern Japan, power out, flights, trains canceled as a typhoon approaches
Read full article: Evacuation ordered in northern Japan, power out, flights, trains canceled as a typhoon approachesThousands of people in northern Japan were ordered to evacuate because of risks of flooding and mudslides from a powerful typhoon approaching in the Pacific Ocean.
Greenland court orders anti-whaling activist Paul Watson must remain in custody until Sept. 5
Read full article: Greenland court orders anti-whaling activist Paul Watson must remain in custody until Sept. 5Police say a court in Greenland has ruled that veteran environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson must remain in custody as authorities consider Japan’s request for his extradition.
Kishida will not seek another term, meaning Japan will get a new prime minister in September
Read full article: Kishida will not seek another term, meaning Japan will get a new prime minister in SeptemberJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will not seek another term as his party's leader, meaning Japan will get a new prime minister in September.
Nagasaki marks 79th A-bomb anniversary without U.S. and other ambassadors after excluding Israel
Read full article: Nagasaki marks 79th A-bomb anniversary without U.S. and other ambassadors after excluding IsraelNagasaki has marked the 79th anniversary of its atomic bombing at the end of World War II at a ceremony eclipsed by the absence of the American ambassador and other Western envoys in response to the Japanese city’s refusal to invite Israel.
Japan's Toyota promises to do better with vehicle testing after major scandal
Read full article: Japan's Toyota promises to do better with vehicle testing after major scandalToyota is promising to strengthen oversight of its vehicle certifications so the scandal that surfaced recently over improper tests will never recur.
US ambassador to Japan to skip A-bomb memorial service in Nagasaki because Israel was not invited
Read full article: US ambassador to Japan to skip A-bomb memorial service in Nagasaki because Israel was not invitedThe U.S. ambassador to Japan has decided to skip this year's atomic bombing memorial service in Nagasaki after Israel was not invited.
Japan's SoftBank reduces its investment losses with gains in Alibaba and other holdings
Read full article: Japan's SoftBank reduces its investment losses with gains in Alibaba and other holdingsJapanese technology giant SoftBank Group has reported a smaller loss for the April-June quarter compared to a year earlier.
Wall Street slips after a morning rally evaporates as some of the market's AI darlings drop
Read full article: Wall Street slips after a morning rally evaporates as some of the market's AI darlings dropU.S. stocks slumped after a morning rally evaporated, but the losses on Wall Street weren’t as bad as the manic moves that wracked markets worldwide over the last week.
Calm returns to Wall Street, and stocks bounce back after their worst drop in nearly 2 years
Read full article: Calm returns to Wall Street, and stocks bounce back after their worst drop in nearly 2 yearsStocks rose on Wall Street as calm returned to the market a day after its worst drop in nearly two years.
Financial markets around the world stabilize after recent rout. Here's what to know
Read full article: Financial markets around the world stabilize after recent rout. Here's what to knowMarkets on Wall Street and in Asia are stabilizing Tuesday following a mini-panic caused by an assortment of factors that stretched from late last week through Monday.
Japan Osprey crash caused by cracks in a gear and pilot’s decision to keep flying, Air Force says
Read full article: Japan Osprey crash caused by cracks in a gear and pilot’s decision to keep flying, Air Force saysThe Air Force says a deadly Osprey aircraft crash last November off Japan was caused by cracks in a metal gear and the pilot’s decision to keep flying instead of heeding multiple warnings that he should land.
Japan rivals Nissan and Honda will share EV components and AI research as they play catch up
Read full article: Japan rivals Nissan and Honda will share EV components and AI research as they play catch upJapanese automakers Nissan and Honda say they plan to share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving.
Amid global turmoil Blinken aims to ease anxiety over US election on 6-nation Asia tour
Read full article: Amid global turmoil Blinken aims to ease anxiety over US election on 6-nation Asia tourWith large parts of the world in turmoil and deep uncertainty over the future direction of America’s global role, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought this week to project an aura of calm normalcy as he traveled through Asia on his first overseas mission since President Joe Biden jolted the 2024 presidential race with his withdrawal.
Toyota reports record quarterly profit, boosted by a weak yen and despite a certification scandal
Read full article: Toyota reports record quarterly profit, boosted by a weak yen and despite a certification scandalToyota says its April-June profit rose 1.7%, boosted by a favorable exchange rate, as vehicle sales grew around the world despite a certification scandal that halted production in Japan for several months.
Blinken says US has 'serious concerns' about announced result of Venezuelan election
Read full article: Blinken says US has 'serious concerns' about announced result of Venezuelan electionU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States has ‘serious concerns’ about the announced result of Venezuela's hotly contested presidential election that authorities say was won by incumbent Nicolas Maduro.
Blinken and envoys from Japan, Australia and India work to improve maritime safety in Asia-Pacific
Read full article: Blinken and envoys from Japan, Australia and India work to improve maritime safety in Asia-PacificTop diplomats from Japan, the U.S., Australia and India have compiled measures to reinforce maritime safety and cybersecurity and to support other Asia-Pacific countries in improving their defenses.
US-Japan security talks focus on bolstering military cooperation, underscores threat from China
Read full article: US-Japan security talks focus on bolstering military cooperation, underscores threat from ChinaJapanese and U.S. defense chiefs and top diplomats agreed to further bolster their military cooperation by upgrading the command and control of U.S. forces in the East Asian country and strengthening American-licensed missile production there, describing the rising threat from China as “the greatest strategic challenge”.
Blinken to celebrate Biden legacy, reassure allies in Asia after president drops out of 2024 race
Read full article: Blinken to celebrate Biden legacy, reassure allies in Asia after president drops out of 2024 raceU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make the case for the Biden administration’s expanded commitment to Asia and the Indo-Pacific as he visits Laos, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and Mongolia this week and next.
Naomi Osaka is in a better place as she returns to the Olympics and Roland Garros at Paris Games
Read full article: Naomi Osaka is in a better place as she returns to the Olympics and Roland Garros at Paris GamesNaomi Osaka is back on the tennis tour, back at a Summer Olympics and back at Roland Garros.
A mysterious pile of bones could hold evidence of Japanese war crimes, activists say
Read full article: A mysterious pile of bones could hold evidence of Japanese war crimes, activists sayBones dug up from a wartime Army Medical School site in Tokyo decades ago and linked to victims of human experiments by Unit 731, Japan’s germ and biological warfare outfit, remain in a repository still waiting to find their home.
Japanese automaker Nissan lowers its profit forecast amid incentive, inventory woes
Read full article: Japanese automaker Nissan lowers its profit forecast amid incentive, inventory woesNissan has lowered its full fiscal year outlook after the Japanese automaker reported a 73% decline in profit in the April-June quarter compared to the previous year.
Stock market today: Asian stocks fall after a torrent of profit reports leaves Wall Street mixed
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian stocks fall after a torrent of profit reports leaves Wall Street mixedAsian stocks are lower as markets digest Japanese and Australian business data, while U.S. stocks held relatively steady as earnings reporting season ramped up for big companies.
Anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson arrested in Greenland. He faces possible extradition to Japan
Read full article: Anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson arrested in Greenland. He faces possible extradition to JapanGreenland police say they have apprehended veteran environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan.
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly fall as dive for Big Tech stocks hits Wall St rally
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares mostly fall as dive for Big Tech stocks hits Wall St rallyAsian shares are mostly lower, with Tokyo's benchmark dipping more than 2%, after Wall Street’s record-breaking rally slammed into a wall of worries over potentially worsening trade tensions with China.
US Army honors Nisei combat unit that helped liberate Tuscany from Nazi-Fascist forces in WWII
Read full article: US Army honors Nisei combat unit that helped liberate Tuscany from Nazi-Fascist forces in WWIIThe U.S. military is celebrating an all-Japanese U.S. Army unit that was key in liberating Italy’s central Tuscan region from Nazi-Fascist forces in July 1944, even while their family members were interned at home as enemies of the state following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
Remains of World War II POW who died in the Philippines returned home to California
Read full article: Remains of World War II POW who died in the Philippines returned home to CaliforniaThe remains of a World War II service member who died in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942 have been brought home to California.
Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed after Dow sets a new record
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed after Dow sets a new recordAsian stocks are mixed as investors grappled with weak economic data from China and waited to see the outcome of a top Communist Party policy meeting in Beijing.
Faced with threats from Russia and its Asian supporters, NATO and Indo-Pacific partners get closer
Read full article: Faced with threats from Russia and its Asian supporters, NATO and Indo-Pacific partners get closerFour Indo-Pacific countries attending the NATO summit have issued a joint statement to “strongly condemn the illicit military cooperation” between Russia and North Korea.
Stock market today: Asian stocks mixed amid volatile yen after Wall St climbs on inflation report
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian stocks mixed amid volatile yen after Wall St climbs on inflation reportAsian stocks are mixed after the latest update on inflation bolstered Wall Street’s belief that relief on interest rates may come as soon as September.
In the heat of it all: Understanding the ‘Dog Days of Summer’
Read full article: In the heat of it all: Understanding the ‘Dog Days of Summer’You know those scorching hot days in mid-summer? Of course you do! We’ve been feeling the heat lately and have even seen heat advisories issued the last several days. These days are often referred to as the “dog days of summer.” But why “dog days?”
Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Fed chair's comments give scant clues on rate cuts
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Fed chair's comments give scant clues on rate cutsShares are mixed in Asia after testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in front of Congress provided little new guidance on when the U.S. central bank might lower interest rates.
To counter China, NATO and its Asian partners are moving closer under US leadership
Read full article: To counter China, NATO and its Asian partners are moving closer under US leadershipNew Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Australia are sending leaders or their deputies to the NATO summit in Washington this week as the military alliance shows growing interest beyond Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over China
Read full article: Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over ChinaJapan and the Philippines have signed a defense pact allowing Japanese forces to deploy in the Southeast Asian country for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills.
German investigators detain third suspect in attempted blackmail of former Formula 1 driver's family
Read full article: German investigators detain third suspect in attempted blackmail of former Formula 1 driver's familyGerman investigators say they have arrested a third suspect in an attempt to blackmail the family of former Formula 1 race driver Michael Schumacher.
German investigators detain 2 men who allegedly tried to blackmail the family of Michael Schumacher
Read full article: German investigators detain 2 men who allegedly tried to blackmail the family of Michael SchumacherGerman prosecutors say two men who allegedly tried blackmailing the family of former Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher were detained earlier this month.
Stock market today: Asian shares mostly gain after Wall St rallies to new records
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares mostly gain after Wall St rallies to new recordsShares are mostly higher in Asia after U.S. stocks rallied to more records, with gains for technology companies pushing the benchmarks higher.
A Japanese climber dies while trying to scale a mountain in northern Pakistan and another is missing
Read full article: A Japanese climber dies while trying to scale a mountain in northern Pakistan and another is missingOfficials say a Japanese climber has died while trying to scale one of the highest mountains in northern Pakistan and a search is still underway to find his missing colleague.
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after AI hopes nudge Wall St to records. BOJ stands pat
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after AI hopes nudge Wall St to records. BOJ stands patAsian shares are mixed after Wall Street’s continued frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology nudged indexes on Wall Street to more records.
Stock market today: Asia shares rise amid Bank of Japan focus after the Fed stands pat
Read full article: Stock market today: Asia shares rise amid Bank of Japan focus after the Fed stands patAsian shares are mostly higher as investors turn their attention to what the Bank of Japan might decide on monetary policy later this week.
Stock market today: Asian stocks trade mixed after Wall Street logs modest gains
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian stocks trade mixed after Wall Street logs modest gainsAsian shares are mixed as investors weighed data highlighting a slowing U.S. economy that offers both upsides and downsides for Wall Street.
North Korea plans to launch a rocket soon, likely carrying its second military spy satellite
Read full article: North Korea plans to launch a rocket soon, likely carrying its second military spy satelliteNorth Korea has announced plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second military spy satellite in the coming days.
South Korean, Chinese and Japanese leaders discuss thorny topics and ways to boost cooperation
Read full article: South Korean, Chinese and Japanese leaders discuss thorny topics and ways to boost cooperationThe Japanese and South Korean leaders have raised sensitive topics like Taiwan, North Korea and the South China Sea as well as ways to boost cooperation, when they individually met China’s premier.
Stock market today: Asian shares track Wall Street's slide on worries over interest rates
Read full article: Stock market today: Asian shares track Wall Street's slide on worries over interest ratesAsian shares have retreated after strong reports on the U.S. economy raised the possibility that interest rates may stay painfully high.