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
Dec 10 New law in Japan takes aim at Unification Church's coercive fundraising tactics By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan’s parliament on Saturday enacted a law to restrict malicious donation solicitations by religious and other groups, which mainly targets the Unification Church, whose fundraising tactics and cozy ties with the governing party caused public outrage. Continue reading
Dec 06 Japan, Belgium to cooperate in semiconductor production, development By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press A newly founded Japanese semiconductor company aiming to revive Japan's chip industry has signed an agreement to collaborate with a Belgian research organization in developing next-generation chips for production in Japan. Continue reading
Nov 13 U.S., Japan, South Korea vow unified response to North Korea threat By Zeke Miller, Seung Min Kim, Associated Press President Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan and South Korea on Sunday vowed a unified, coordinated response to North Korea's threatening nuclear and ballistic missile programs, with Biden declaring that the three-way partnership is “even more important than it's… Continue reading
Nov 11 Russian ambassador blames Japan for strained relations between other countries By Haruka Nuga, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Russia's ambassador to Tokyo has blamed Japan for straining relations between the countries by imposing sanctions on Moscow over its war with Ukraine. Continue reading
Nov 11 Japan minister quits over execution remark By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has delayed his departure for three upcoming summits in Southeast Asia to sack and replace his justice minister, who was widely criticized over a remark he made about capital punishment. Continue reading
Nov 01 Tokyo begins issuing certificates recognizing same-sex couples By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan's capital has begun issuing certificates recognizing same-sex couples, becoming the largest municipality to do so in a country in which same-sex marriage is not allowed. Continue reading
Oct 11 Tourists travel to Japan after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, expected to provide major economic boost By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press Eager to admire colorful foliage, eat sushi and go shopping, droves of tourists from abroad began arriving in Japan on Tuesday, with the end of pandemic-fighting border restrictions that had been in place for more than two years. Continue reading
Oct 04 WATCH: State Department condemns North Korean missile launch toward Japan By Associated Press State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel will hold a news briefing Tuesday, following a new military defeat for Moscow as it struggles to hang on to Ukrainian areas it illegally annexed last week. Continue reading
Oct 03 N. Korea fires ballistic missile that flew over Japan By Associated Press North Korea has fired a ballistic missile over Japan, its neighbors said, escalating tests of weapons designed to strike key targets in regional U.S. allies amid stalled nuclear diplomacy. Continue reading