Politics
Suga tells U.N. Olympics will serve as proof humanity has defeated pandemic
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday reiterated his commitment to hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next summer, promising that the games, which were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be "safe and secure" even as Japan grapples with its worst wave yet of infections. In a pre-recorded address… Read
Berlin district to keep 'comfort women' statue for now
A Berlin district mayor aims to leave a controversial statue commemorating women who were held as sex slaves by Japan during World War II in its place - at least for now, the local government said Thursday, after Japanese officials asked for the statue to be removed. In the longer… Read
Casino winnings by nonresident foreigners to be untaxed in Japan
In a bid to attract more overseas gamblers, the chief of a ruling Liberal Democratic Party panel said Thursday the winnings of nonresident foreigners at Japanese casino resorts will not be taxed. Although such resorts have yet to be established in Japan, it is hoped the envisaged tax exemption will… Read
Japan voices grave concerns about jailing of Hong Kong activists
Japan has "grave concerns" about the jailing of three Hong Kong activists and has conveyed its worries to China over the situation, chief government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said on Thursday. Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday sentenced prominent democracy activists Joshua Wong to more than 13 months in prison over an… Read
Japan to work with both U.S., Britain in developing next fighter jet
Japan has decided to develop a successor to its aging F-2 fighter jet jointly with both the United States and Britain instead of picking only one partner, government sources said Wednesday. Under the plan, Japan will work with either of the two partners depending on the parts for the Air… Read
Japan enacts law to make coronavirus vaccines free to residents
The Diet enacted a law Wednesday to cover the costs for residents to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, as hopes grow for the early arrival of vaccines following recent reports of progress amid a resurgence of infections. The House of Councillors unanimously passed a bill to revise the current vaccination… Read
Russia deploys missiles to Pacific islands claimed by Japan
The Russian military on Tuesday announced the deployment of state-of-the-art air defense missiles to the Pacific islands claimed by Japan. Russia's Eastern Military District said in a statement that the S-300V4 air defense missile systems have entered combat duty on the Kuril Islands, adding punch to the shorter range Tor… Read
Japan to appoint new ambassador to Britain
The Japanese government plans to appoint Hajime Hayashi, who previously headed the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau, as ambassador to Britain, a ministry source said Tuesday. Hayashi will replace Yasumasa Nagamine, former senior deputy foreign minister who is seen as a candidate for the post of a judge at the… Read
Gov't considering ¥20 tril extra budget to spur virus-hit economy
Japan is considering compiling a third supplementary budget totaling about 20 trillion yen ($192 billion) for the current fiscal year as part of efforts to bolster the coronavirus-hit economy, government sources said Monday. The extra budget for fiscal 2020 through March is also intended to assist companies' efforts to cut… Read
Japanese gov't to host conference with young people on tackling climate change
The Japanese government is planning to host a conference in December involving young people as well as business and government figures to spur awareness of climate change and create momentum toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, officials said Monday. The event, dubbed a "national council," is aimed… Read
