Politics
Japan holding tense state funeral for ex-leader Abe amid tensions
A tense Japan prepared Tuesday for a rare and controversial state funeral for assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader in his nation's modern history and one of the most divisive. Tokyo was under maximum security, with angry protests opposing the funeral planned around the capital and nation. Hours… Read
Harris calls U.S.-Japan alliance 'a cornerstone'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shortly after arriving in Tokyo for the state funeral of assassinated former leader Shinzo Abe. Abe, a former prime minister who was assassinated in July, will be honored on Tuesday, and Harris is leading a U.S. delegation to pay… Read
Russia detains Japanese diplomat for seeking sensitive information
Russia said Monday that it had detained a Japanese diplomat based in the eastern city of Vladivostok for soliciting "restricted" information, Russian news agencies reported. "A Japanese diplomat was detained red-handed while receiving, in exchange for financial reward, restricted information about Russia's cooperation with another country in the Asia-Pacific region,"… Read
Japan set to honor assassinated Abe at controversial funeral
Thousands of Japanese and foreign dignitaries will gather in Tokyo on Tuesday to honor assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at a rare state funeral that has sparked controversy and protest. Abe was Japan's longest-serving prime minister and one of the country's most recognizable political figures, known for cultivating international… Read
Ex-Myanmar diplomat says junta envoy should be barred from Abe's funeral
A former diplomat dismissed by Myanmar's military junta for his opposition to last year's coup has criticized Japan for inviting the head of the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral. Aung Soe Moe said that if Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government allows Myanmar Ambassador… Read
Kishida begins 3 days of 'condolence diplomacy' around Abe funeral
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday began three days of meetings with more than 30 foreign dignitaries as the state funeral of slain former leader Shinzo Abe provides a chance to embark on a round of so-called "condolence diplomacy." On Monday, Kishida had meetings with 11 dignitaries, including Gabon… Read
Abe damaged Japan's democracy, left legacy of power abuse, critics say
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's July assassination has caused the nation's political pundits to reflect on his legacy, with some arguing he jeopardized Japan's democracy and abused his power for personal gain during his eight years as leader. Incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he decided to hold a state… Read
Ceremony and controversy await Harris during visit to Asia
Attending funerals on behalf of the United States is normally a straightforward assignment for a vice president, but Kamala Harris will confront controversy at nearly every turn as she visits Asia for the memorial honoring former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. American allies are seeking clarity after mixed messages over whether President Joe… Read
Japan eyes hiking defense spending to ¥40 trillion over 5 years
Japan is considering sharply increasing its defense spending to more than 40 trillion yen over the next five years, government officials said Saturday. The amount compares with the 27.47 trillion yen in total specified as defense costs for five years through fiscal 2023 in the country's Medium Term Defense Program.… Read
LDP coalition party Komeito approves 8th term for leader
Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, on Sunday endorsed an eighth term for its leader Natsuo Yamaguchi ahead of a spate of local assembly elections next spring. After being formally approved at the party's convention in Tokyo to lead for another two years, Yamaguchi, 70,… Read
