Politics
Trump to meet widow of former Japan PM Abe on Sunday, source says
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is planning to meet with Akie Abe, the widow of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on Sunday over a private dinner at his resort in Florida, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. The meeting comes as Tokyo seeks to forge close ties… Read
Gov't to raise tax break cap for offspring's income to ¥1.5 mil
The Japanese government and ruling parties are arranging to raise the income cap on earnings by a householder's dependent offspring to qualify householders for tax deductions to 1.50 million yen from 1.03 million yen, possibly starting next year, sources close to the matter said Thursday. The plan comes as the… Read
Japan weighs extra taxes for defense spending as early as April 2026
The government is considering increasing taxation as early as April 2026 to help cover its planned boost in defense spending, sources close to the matter said Wednesday. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government has already decided to raise revenue from corporate, income and tobacco taxes to help fund its plan to… Read
U.S. defense chief observes drills with Japan, Australia
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed confidence about enhanced military capabilities among the United States, Australia and Japan as he observed joint exercises Wednesday showcasing their closer cooperation as tensions grow in the region. Austin is in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington’s commitment to… Read
Ishiba eyes visiting Malaysia, Indonesia in early January
Japan is making arrangements for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to visit Malaysia and Indonesia in early January, as part of Tokyo's efforts to confirm the importance of a rules-based international order, government sources said. The prime minister has decided to give up on his initially envisaged trip to South Korea… Read
U.S. defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with officials in Japan on Tuesday to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin’s visit also came amid growing concerns over the safety of Osprey military aircraft, which have been… Read
Japan, Finland to negotiate defense equipment transfer pact
Japan and Finland agreed during their summit Tuesday to start negotiations on a pact to allow the transfer of defense equipment, citing the increasingly interconnected security environments of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Finnish counterpart, Petteri Orpo, opposed any unilateral attempts to change the… Read
Debate over raising ¥1.03 mil tax threshold gains steam in Japan
Like Satsuki Morita, many university students are closely watching political negotiations that could raise Japan's tax-free threshold for annual income, with its current level of 1.03 million yen seen as a key factor discouraging part-time employees from working more hours amid labor shortage in the country. A sophomore at Hosei… Read
Japan, U.S., S Korea affirm close ties amid Yoon's martial law chaos
Japan, the United States and South Korea affirmed Monday they will continue to closely work together in dealing with North Korea, amid the political chaos in Seoul brought about by President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law. During a meeting in Tokyo, senior officials from the three nations… Read
Gov't submits ¥13.9 tril draft extra budget to Diet for economic package
Japan's government on Monday submitted to parliament a draft supplementary budget for fiscal 2024 worth 13.9 trillion yen to finance a new economic package aimed at easing inflation-driven financial pressures on households. But it remains to be seen whether the spending plan will pass smoothly during the ongoing extraordinary Diet… Read
