WEATHER ALERT
Vietnam Communist Party chief's funeral draws thousands of mourners, including world leaders
Read full article: Vietnam Communist Party chief's funeral draws thousands of mourners, including world leadersThousands of mourners gathered in Hanoi for the second day of the funeral of the man who dominated Vietnamese politics for over a decade, Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Japan PM's cautious course sets up potential long-term rule
Read full article: Japan PM's cautious course sets up potential long-term ruleJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, despite an underwhelming start eight months ago, is enjoying surprising popularity by playing it safe as the public's worries about the coronavirus and global conflicts ease.
Japan border policy keeps thousands of foreigners in limbo
Read full article: Japan border policy keeps thousands of foreigners in limboHundreds of thousands of foreigners have been denied entry to study, work or visit families in Japan, which has kept its doors closed to most overseas visitors during the pandemic.
Japan starts mass COVID boosters as omicron cases soar
Read full article: Japan starts mass COVID boosters as omicron cases soarTokyo has launched a mass inoculation drive for COVID-19 booster shots at a temporary center operated by the military as Japan tries to speed up delayed third jabs to counter surging infections.
Biden-Kishida 1st formal talks touch on China, nuke weapons
Read full article: Biden-Kishida 1st formal talks touch on China, nuke weaponsPresident Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have used their first formal meeting to discuss concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness.
Japan Cabinet OKs record stimulus package to fix economy
Read full article: Japan Cabinet OKs record stimulus package to fix economyJapan's Cabinet has approved a record 56 trillion yen, or $490 billion stimulus package, including cash handouts and aid to ailing businesses, to help the economy out of the doldrums worsened by the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan's Kishida wins mandate, though economic agenda unclear
Read full article: Japan's Kishida wins mandate, though economic agenda unclearPrime Minister Fumio Kishida says Japan should revitalize its economy through “new capitalism" and many in this country are puzzled over exactly what he has in mind.
Japanese parliamentary elections crucial for new PM's rule
Read full article: Japanese parliamentary elections crucial for new PM's ruleJapan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces a crucial test in Sunday's national parliamentary elections, which will determine if his government will have enough support to stay in power long enough to repair the pandemic-hit economy, and tackle climate change and China’s rise.
Japan OKs plan to push clean energy, nuclear to cut carbon
Read full article: Japan OKs plan to push clean energy, nuclear to cut carbonJapan has adopted a new energy policy that promotes nuclear and renewables as sources of clean energy to achieve the country’s pledge of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
Kishida vows to lead with 'trust and empathy' to fix Japan
Read full article: Kishida vows to lead with 'trust and empathy' to fix JapanIn his first policy speech, new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has promised to strengthen the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in case of another resurgence and revive its battered economy while bolstering defenses against threats from China and North Korea.
Japan's Kishida, Biden agree to cooperate on China, N Korea
Read full article: Japan's Kishida, Biden agree to cooperate on China, N KoreaJapan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has held his first talks since taking office with President Joe Biden and confirmed they will work together to strengthen their alliance in regional security in the face of growing challenges from China and North Korea.
Japan new PM to seek fresh mandate to handle virus, economy
Read full article: Japan new PM to seek fresh mandate to handle virus, economyNewly elected Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he will dissolve the lower house next week in preparation for Oct. 31 elections as he seeks a fresh mandate to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the sagging economy and security threats from China and North Korea.
Trains packed with commuters as Japan fully ends emergency
Read full article: Trains packed with commuters as Japan fully ends emergencyTokyo’s train stations were packed with commuters Friday morning as Japan fully came out of a coronavirus state of emergency for the first time in more than six months.
2 women, political opposites, vying in race for Japan PM
Read full article: 2 women, political opposites, vying in race for Japan PMTwo women are among candidates for Japan’s governing party leadership for the first time in 13 years in what seems like a big step in the country's male-dominated politics.
Biden aims to enlist allies in tackling climate, COVID, more
Read full article: Biden aims to enlist allies in tackling climate, COVID, morePresident Joe Biden plans to use his first address before the U.N. General Assembly to reassure the international community of American leadership on the global stage.
Biden enlists allies in tackling climate, COVID in first address to United Nations
Read full article: Biden enlists allies in tackling climate, COVID in first address to United NationsPresident Joe Biden has used his first address before the U.N. General Assembly to summon allies to quickly address the festering issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and human rights abuses.
Biden announces Indo-Pacific alliance with UK, Australia
Read full article: Biden announces Indo-Pacific alliance with UK, AustraliaPresident Joe Biden has announced that the United States is forming a new Indo-Pacific security alliance with Britain and Australia that will allow for greater sharing of defense capabilities — including helping equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
Japan extends virus emergency until end of September
Read full article: Japan extends virus emergency until end of SeptemberJapan has extended a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and 18 other areas until the end of September as health care systems remain under severe strain, although new infections have slowed slightly.
Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo's 8-year Olympic saga
Read full article: Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo's 8-year Olympic sagaThe Tokyo Paralympics have closed to end a saga that began eight years ago when the Japanese capital was named the host city by the International Olympic Committee.
Fukushima nuclear water to be released via undersea tunnel
Read full article: Fukushima nuclear water to be released via undersea tunnelThe operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant says it plans to build an undersea tunnel so that massive amounts of treated but still radioactive water can be released into the ocean about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) away from the plant to avoid interference with local fishing.
Japan further expands virus emergency areas as cases surge
Read full article: Japan further expands virus emergency areas as cases surgeJapan has expanded its coronavirus state of emergency for a second week in a row, adding eight more prefectures as a surge in infections fueled by the delta variant strains the country’s health care system.
Lockdowns or vaccines? 3 Pacific nations try diverging paths
Read full article: Lockdowns or vaccines? 3 Pacific nations try diverging pathsJapan, Australia and New Zealand all got through the first year of the coronavirus pandemic in relatively good shape — but now are taking diverging paths in dealing with new outbreaks of the fast-spreading delta variant.
Japan expands virus emergency, weighs legal penalties
Read full article: Japan expands virus emergency, weighs legal penaltiesJapanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has officially expanded and extended the nation’s coronavirus state of emergency as government advisers recommend legal changes that would allow penalties for violations.
Japan extends, expands coronavirus emergency as cases surge
Read full article: Japan extends, expands coronavirus emergency as cases surgeJapan’s government has decided that a coronavirus state of emergency will continue through Sept. 12 rather than finishing at the end of this month as initially planned.
Olympics now ended, Japan races to vaccinate as virus surges
Read full article: Olympics now ended, Japan races to vaccinate as virus surgesThe Tokyo Olympics have ended, but it’s still vacation season in Japan and many people are ignoring government requests to avoid travel and gathering at bars and restaurants even as the coronavirus spikes.
The Latest: China pledges 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses
Read full article: The Latest: China pledges 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine dosesChinese President Xi Jinping has pledged that 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be supplied to the world through this year, increasing China’s commitment as the largest exporter of the shots.
Japan to limit hospital care as COVID-19 cases hit new high
Read full article: Japan to limit hospital care as COVID-19 cases hit new highJapan’s government is introducing a contentious new policy in which coronavirus patients with moderate symptoms will isolate at home instead of in hospitals, as new cases surge in Tokyo to record levels during the Olympic Games.
Japan expands virus emergency after record spikes amid Games
Read full article: Japan expands virus emergency after record spikes amid GamesJapan has expanded a coronavirus state of emergency to four more areas in addition to Tokyo on Friday following record spikes in infections as the capital hosts the Olympics.
In venue fit for head of state, Japan PM seeks Pfizer doses
Read full article: In venue fit for head of state, Japan PM seeks Pfizer dosesJapan’s prime minister met with Pfizer’s CEO in an unusually high-profile setting to make sure the drugmaker would deliver COVID-19 vaccine it has promised to the nation.
EXPLAINER: Why Japan 'rising sun' flag provokes Olympic ire
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why Japan 'rising sun' flag provokes Olympic ireJapan’s “rising sun” flag is a focus of anger at the Olympics, with some in the Koreas, China and other Asian nations calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games.
The Latest: Mississippi hospital to require masks
Read full article: The Latest: Mississippi hospital to require masksMississippi’s only level-one trauma hospital and academic medical center will require all employees and students who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 to wear an N95 mask while inside, a decision that a top official acknowledged would not be popular with everyone in the country’s least vaccinated state and may result in the loss of employees.
Pacific Rim leaders discuss economic way out of pandemic
Read full article: Pacific Rim leaders discuss economic way out of pandemicU.S. President Joe Biden, China's Xi Jinping, Japan's Yoshihide Suga and Vladimir Putin of Russia are among Pacific Rim leaders gathering virtually to discuss strategies to help economies rebound from a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic.
The Latest: S. Korea clamps down amid virus spike
Read full article: The Latest: S. Korea clamps down amid virus spikeSouth Korea has reported more than 1,000 coronavirus cases for the sixth straight day as the greater capital area entered stringent social distancing restrictions to slow transmissions.
UN nuclear agency to help monitor Fukushima water release
Read full article: UN nuclear agency to help monitor Fukushima water releaseThe United Nations’ nuclear watchdog says it has reached an agreement with Japan on helping monitor and review the release of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Olympics likely to open during COVID ‘state of emergency’
Read full article: Olympics likely to open during COVID ‘state of emergency’New COVID-19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees the Japanese government will declare a new state of emergency to start next week and continue for the duration of the Tokyo Olympics.
Japan's leader pushes rescue after deadly mudslide hits town
Read full article: Japan's leader pushes rescue after deadly mudslide hits townMore than 1,000 soldiers, firefighters and police have joined rescue efforts after a giant mudslide ripped through a resort town southwest of Tokyo, killing at least two people and leaving about 20 missing.
Some fans. No fans. Tokyo undecided as games open in 3 weeks
Read full article: Some fans. No fans. Tokyo undecided as games open in 3 weeksThe president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee has repeated that banning fans from venues is still an option with the games opening in just three weeks.
Is Japan’s remarkable vaccine drive in time for Olympics?
Read full article: Is Japan’s remarkable vaccine drive in time for Olympics?After months of delays due to political and bureaucratic bungling as well as a shortage of vaccines, inoculations in Japan are taking off, and the drive is now racing down to the wire with the Olympics starting in one month.
Palace: Japan emperor 'worried' about Olympics amid pandemic
Read full article: Palace: Japan emperor 'worried' about Olympics amid pandemicThe head of the Imperial Palace in Japan says Emperor Naruhito is “extremely worried” that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics could accelerate the spread of the coronavirus.
Japan announces easing of virus emergency ahead of Olympics
Read full article: Japan announces easing of virus emergency ahead of OlympicsJapan has announced the easing of a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and six other areas from next week, with new daily cases falling just as the country begins final preparations for the Olympics starting in just over a month.
Why are Olympics going on despite public, medical warnings?
Read full article: Why are Olympics going on despite public, medical warnings?Public sentiment in Japan has been generally opposed to holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics partly based on fears the coronavirus will spike as almost 100,000 people enter for both events.