Politics
Japan's explanation of Korean wartime forced labor insufficient: UNESCO
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee on Thursday adopted a resolution stating that Japan has failed to provide a sufficient explanation regarding the Korean victims of wartime forced labor at a Tokyo information center on industrial locations listed as World Cultural Heritage sites. The adoption of the resolution came during a virtual… Read
Suga kicks off Olympics diplomacy
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday began a series of meetings over the coming days with foreign dignitaries attending the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. The leaders of about 15 countries and international organizations are slated to attend the event at the National Stadium on Friday evening, which… Read
Suga denies IOC pressure to hold Olympics: report
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has denied he was pressured by the International Olympic Committee into holding a Games that remains deeply unpopular as virus cases surge in Tokyo. And with just days until the opening ceremony, the Japanese leader said Tokyo was "in the right place, and we're ready… Read
Jill Biden to have busy 3 days in Tokyo
U.S. first lady Jill Biden will visit Japan for three days from Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, hoping to show "the highest level of support" for American athletes and the games, the White House said. With concerns lingering over the coronavirus pandemic, the United States… Read
Japan envoy in Australia says Tokyo struggles every day with China
Japan’s relationship with China was no better than notoriously strained Sino-Australian relations, the Japanese ambassador to Australia said on Wednesday. Japan’s ties with China are often held up as an example to Australia of how productive relations can be maintained with Beijing despite national differences. But Ambassador Shingo Yamagami said… Read
Japan, U.S., South Korea reaffirm cooperation on N Korea
The United States, Japan and South Korea on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to work together on North Korea's denuclearization and other regional threats but made no progress in bringing closer together the two U.S. allies. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who held talks in Tokyo with her counterparts,… Read
British carrier strike group to make port calls in Japan in September
British aircraft carrier the Queen Elizabeth and its strike group dispatched to the western Pacific will make port calls in Japan in September, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Tuesday, as China is increasing its military influence in the area. Kishi unveiled the plan, apparently intended to counter China's rising… Read
Moon expresses disappointment about not visiting Japan
South Korean President Moon Jae In expressed disappointment that he will not visit Japan for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, a senior official of the presidential office said Tuesday. The South Korean government had called for summit talks between Moon and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to resolve… Read
South Korean president to skip Olympics
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has decided not to visit Japan for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, citing a failure to set up a summit with Japan's prime minister that would produce meaningful results in improving relations. Moon's office said Monday that officials from Seoul and Tokyo held talks over longstanding… Read
Taiwan cancels dispatch of digital minister to Tokyo Olympics
Taiwan has canceled the dispatch of Digital Minister Audrey Tang to Japan to attend the Tokyo Olympics after organizers restricted the number of participants to prevent coronavirus infections, a cabinet spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the International Olympic Committee had sent a notice to Taiwan on Wednesday stating attendance at… Read
