Politics
Japan wants frictionless UK-EU trade after Brexit: ambassador
Japan wants Britain to have frictionless trade with the European Union after Brexit, its ambassador said Thursday, insisting a damaging no-deal scenario should be avoided. Japanese companies are looking to expand their investment in Britain but are holding back due to uncertainty over Brexit, Koji Tsuruoka said during a talk… Read
Gov't leaves economy view unchanged as data weakens on China
Japan's government kept its assessment of the economy unchanged in February, but a series of weak data on corporate sentiment, capital expenditure and exports shows the U.S.-China trade war is hurting the outlook for the world's third-largest economy. The Cabinet Office, which helps coordinate government policy, said the economy is… Read
Trump likely to visit Japan in May, return for G20 in June
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Japan in May to meet with the country's new emperor and then return in June for a G20 gathering, a White House official said on Wednesday after a phone call between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Trump's first visit will… Read
Abe urged to ensure Trump-Kim talks help resolve N Korean abductions
Family members of Japanese victims of kidnappings by North Korea urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday to convey their hope to resolve the decades-old issue to U.S. President Donald Trump, who will meet with the North's leader Kim Jong Un later this month. Abe told the family members he… Read
Japan voices clear support for Venezuela opposition leader Guaido
Japan expressed support Tuesday for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, joining the United States and other nations that have already endorsed him as president amid a power struggle in the South American country. The decision was made as the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, has failed to address… Read
Trump visit to Japan eyed for May 26; may be 1st guest to meet new emperor
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to be invited to Japan for around three days from May 26, possibly making him the first foreign state guest to meet Crown Prince Naruhito after his planned accession to the throne, Japanese government sources said Monday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government is apparently… Read
No need for Abe: Trump already nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is not saying whether or not he nominated Donald Trump for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, but the question may be moot: the U.S. president has been put forward by others for the prestigious award. During a White House news conference on Friday, Trump said… Read
Japan keen to do post-Brexit trade deal quickly: UK trade minister
British trade minister Liam Fox said on Monday that Japan was keen to agree a post-Brexit trade deal and believed it could be done "quite quickly". The Financial Times earlier reported Japan had reacted with dismay to a letter from Fox and Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt encouraging it to agree… Read
Abe mum on reports he nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kept quiet Monday over President Donald Trump's claim that he had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, but praised him and emphasized he did not deny doing so. Trump's assertion Friday that Abe had nominated him for the honor and sent him a copy… Read
S Korean parliament speaker compares Japan to 'brazen thief'
The South Korean National Assembly speaker has added fuel to a simmering controversy over his call for the Japanese emperor to apologize to Korean women forced into Japan's wartime brothels, comparing Japan to a "brazen thief" for demanding he retract his comments. In interviews with several South Korean media organizations… Read
