Politics
Ishiba pledges to cooperate with long-ignored opposition in bid to save his government
Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who survived as leader after a major election loss by his governing coalition, promised Friday to work closely with the long-ignored opposition that is now the only way his minority government can stay in power. Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito… Read
Russia says it will respond if U.S. places missiles in Japan
Russia said on Wednesday that if the United States stationed missiles in Japan, this would threaten Russian security and prompt Moscow to retaliate. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday that Japan and the U.S. aim to compile a joint military plan for a possible Taiwan emergency that includes deploying missiles. It cited… Read
Saudi Arabia likely to join GCAP jet fighter project with Japan and UK, Italy says
A partnership involving Italy, Britain and Japan to build an advanced front-line fighter jet will likely be extended to Saudi Arabia, the Italian foreign minister said on Wednesday. The three countries agreed in December 2022 on the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), the first major defense industry collaboration merging the… Read
S Korea expresses regret to Japan over memorial for mine workers
South Korea expressed regret to Japan on Monday over Tokyo's attitude towards a memorial service held for laborers including Koreans forced to work in Japan's Sado mines during World War II, Seoul's foreign ministry said. South Korea boycotted a memorial held by Japan on Sunday and held its own the… Read
Italy, Japan sign agreement on defense cooperation
Italy and Japan have signed in Rome a bilateral deal to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector, an Italian statement said on Monday. Italy said Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya signed a deal named ACSA (Acquisition and Cross-Service Agreement). Iwaya also held talks with Italian… Read
N Korea condemns U.S. military drills with S Korea and Japan
North Korea condemned on Saturday recent joint military drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan, warning that it would take immediate actions if needed to defend the state. Last week, the three countries held a three-day joint exercise, dubbed "Freedom Edge", featuring fighter jets and marine patrol aircraft… Read
Italy, Japan, Britain discuss broadening jet fighter project to other countries
The leaders of Italy, Japan and Britain have discussed a potential broadening of the GCAP jet fighter project to other countries, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday. Italy, Britain and Japan agreed in December 2022 to collaborate to build an advanced front-line fighter to enter… Read
Handbook looks at Shinzo Abe's impact on domestic and foreign policy
You may swoon or spit but there is no way that Japan can ignore former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Vocal critics called him a warmonger, while his fans saw him as the tough conservative leader who got Japan back on its feet again. Few though would deny that Abe remains a figure of… Read
Peru, Japan strengthen ties with defense, mining agreements
Peru's president signed defense and mining cooperation deals with her Japanese counterpart on Sunday, following an official visit between the two leaders just after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by Lima. The agreements were signed by Peru's President Dina Boluarte and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who in remarks… Read
Japanese troops to train with Australian, U.S militaries in Darwin
Japanese troops will begin regular deployments in northern Australia as part of military cooperation with Australia and the U.S., Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday. Around 2,000 U.S. Marines are already hosted in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, for six months of the year amid growing… Read
