Mar 24 In power play, North Korea fires test missile; U.S., Japan condemn actions By Kim Tong-Hyung, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The launch, which extended North Korea’s barrage of weapons tests this year, came after the U.S. and South Korean militaries said the country was preparing a flight of a new large ICBM first unveiled in October 2020. Continue reading
Mar 16 Tsunami alert issued after 7.3 magnitude earthquake off Japan's north coast By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Fukushima in northern Japan, triggering a tsunami advisory and plunging more than 2 million homes in the Tokyo area into darkness. Continue reading
Jan 21 Biden has first formal talks with Japanese PM Kishida to discuss North Korea and China concerns By Aamer Madhani, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have held their first formal talks as they face fresh concerns about North Korea's nuclear program and China's growing military assertiveness. Continue reading
Dec 22 Organizers say Tokyo Olympics cost $1.8 billion less than expected By Stephen Wade, Associated Press The estimated official costs were $13.6 billion, according to organizers. Part of the reduction was because there were no fans — forced by the pandemic — and therefore vastly reduced labor costs. Continue reading
Nov 04 Climate activists protest near COP26 venue, urge Japan to phase out coal By Associated Press Activists from No Coal Japan urged the Japanese government to stop financing coal projects overseas and to phase out coal domestically by 2030. Continue reading
Oct 20 WATCH: Rahm Emanuel faces confirmation hearing for ambassador to Japan job By Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Several liberal House lawmakers and activists complain that Emanuel's handling of the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times as he ran away from police, should have disqualified him for consideration for a coveted role. Continue reading
Oct 02 European-Japanese space mission gets 1st glimpse of Mercury By Associated Press A joint European-Japanese spacecraft got its first glimpse of Mercury as it swung by the solar system’s innermost planet while on a mission to deliver two probes into orbit in 2025. Continue reading
Sep 29 Watch 4:28 News Wrap: Milley says years of bad decisions to blame for Afghanistan pullout failures In our news wrap Wednesday, Gen. Mark Milley blamed years of bad decisions behind the failures of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan during the second day of a House hearing with military leaders. The Biden administration says North Korea's latest… Continue watching
Sep 29 Former Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to become prime minister By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Kishida replaces outgoing party leader Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is stepping down after serving only one year. Continue reading
Sep 28 Japan to lift all coronavirus emergency steps nationwide By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the emergency will end Thursday and virus restrictions will be eased gradually "in order to resume daily lives despite the presence of the virus."… Continue reading