Jan 11 UK, Japan sign defense agreement amid rising concerns about China By Jill Lawless, Associated Press The Reciprocal Access Agreement is Japan's first with a European nation and allows the two countries to hold joint military exercises. The British government said the defense agreement "cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific" region. Continue reading
Jan 10 China halts visas for Japan, South Korea following virus testing on Chinese travelers By Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press Chinese embassies suspended issuing new visas for South Koreans and Japanese on Tuesday in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements recently imposed by those countries on travelers from China. Continue reading
Dec 27 Japan PM dismisses 4th minister in 2 months to patch up scandal-hit Cabinet By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has dismissed his fourth minister in two months to patch a scandal-tainted Cabinet that has raised questions over his judgment of staff credentials. Continue reading
Dec 27 Japan to require COVID testing for all visitors from China By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan will require COVID-19 tests for all visitors from China as a temporary emergency measure against the surging infections there after Beijing largely abandoned its "zero-COVID" policy. Continue reading
Dec 26 Watch 3:25 News Wrap: Japan grapples with massive snowstorm In our news wrap Monday, Japan is grappling with a massive snowstorm that blanketed the country's northern coastal regions, South Korea's military fired warning shots after North Korean drones violated its airspace for the first time in five years and… Continue watching
Dec 26 Heavy snow in Japan leaves 17 dead, more than 90 injured By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Large swaths of Japan are seeing heavy snow since last week, killing 17 and leaving hundreds of homes without power. Continue reading
Dec 18 North Korea fires 2 missiles capable of reaching Japan in possible response to Tokyo's new security strategy By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press North Korea test-fired a pair of ballistic missiles with a potential range of striking Japan on Sunday, in a possible protest of Tokyo’s adoption of a new security strategy to push for more offensive footing against North Korea and China. Continue reading
Dec 17 Why Japan is boosting its arms budget and 'counterstrike capability' By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan this week adopted a new national security strategy to gain a more offensive footing and improve its resilience to protect itself from growing risks from China, North Korea and Russia. Continue reading
Dec 16 As regional threats rise, Japan shifts away from defense-only strategy By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan on Friday adopted a national security strategy declaring plans to possess preemptive strike capability and cruise missiles within years to give itself more offensive footing against threats from neighboring China, Russia and North Korea. Continue reading
Dec 16 WATCH: State Department responds to Russia on Patriot missiles By Associated Press The State Department hit back after the Kremlin warned Washington that any Patriot systems and U.S. personnel deployed to Ukraine will be a legitimate target for Russia. Continue reading