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July 06, 2025
 

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Jesse Johnson
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 18, 2023
Top Biden official and Chinese diplomat hold 'constructive' talks
The talks come ahead of an anticipated November meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at an APEC summit.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after receiving a gift at their luncheon during Kim's visit to the port of Vladivostok, Russia, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 17, 2023
North Korea's Kim talks up defense ties as Russia trip concludes
Both countries hinted at the “strategic importance” of bilateral ties during Kim's visit — despite U.S. warnings against any arms deals.
Minoru Kihara
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2023
New Japan defense chief 'very concerned' about Chinese military moves
Minoru Kihara called trilateral cooperation with South Korea and the U.S. “the cornerstone” of Tokyo’s response to the regional security concerns.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and other officials, inspects a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile put on display at the Knevichi aerodrome near Vladivostok, Russia, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 16, 2023
North Korea's Kim gets close-up look at Russian hypersonic missiles
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was given a close-up look at Russia's powerful Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and a tour of one of its a warships.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu (far left) attends the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 15, 2023
Missing Chinese defense chief signals turmoil in Xi's government
Washington has reportedly concluded that Li Shangfu, who took up his post in March, has been stripped of his responsibilities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in Russia's far eastern Amur region on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 13, 2023
At talks, Putin tells Kim Russia could help North Korea build satellites
Kim Jong Un met Russian President Vladimir Putin amid warnings by the U.S. against a possible arms deal that the two leaders were reportedly seeking.
New Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is seen in formal attire to attend an attestation ceremony after a Cabinet reshuffle in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 13, 2023
In Kishida's Cabinet reshuffle, two changes stand out
It will be the first time in 20 years that a woman has been foreign minister, while the new defense chief arrives amid dramatic shifts in defense posture.
Passengers wait for their train in front of a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing a ballistic missile, at the main railway station in Seoul in July.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 13, 2023
North Korea fires off two ballistic missiles as Kim visits Russia
Both missiles appeared to have landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its coast.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves as he departs by train from Pyongyang for a visit to Russia in this image released Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 12, 2023
North Korea's Kim arrives in Russia for talks with Putin
Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia aboard his luxury armored train Tuesday, with a possible arms deal likely at the top of the meeting's agenda.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the central report conference at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the country, in this image released Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 11, 2023
North Korea's Kim to visit Russia for talks with Putin
Kim is likely to discuss possible arms deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war in Ukraine burns through Moscow’s weapons stocks.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2023
Japan top diplomat makes first visit to Ukraine since war's start
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi met with a number of high-ranking officials in Kyiv, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 6, 2023
Kishida meets Chinese premier for first talks since water release
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sought to tamp down Beijing's concerns, explaining Japan's stance to Chinese Premier Li Qiang during meetings in Jakarta.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, in April 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 5, 2023
U.S. says North Korea's Kim expects to meet Putin for arms deal
The two pariah states are reportedly looking to reach a deal on weapons in exchange for food and satellite and submarine technological support.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 5, 2023
Suspect in 2019 Kyoto Animation arson attack admits setting blaze
The focus of the trial will now shift to the defendant’s motive and whether he can be held criminally responsible for the attack.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the training command post of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this photo released Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 2, 2023
North Korea fires several cruise missiles toward Yellow Sea
Saturday’s launches come after South Korea and the U.S. wrapped up their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield summer military exercises on Thursday.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's Hyuga destroyer leads the MSDF fleet during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the MSDF's foundation, in Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, last November.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 31, 2023
Japan seeks record ¥7.7 trillion defense budget as buildup continues
The budget request signals that Tokyo remains committed to following through on historic defense reforms instituted in December.
North Korean leader Kim Jong visits a command training center of the Korean People's Army General Staff at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this image released Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 31, 2023
North Korea holds 'nuclear strike drill' targeting South
The drills were intended to "send a message" to the North's enemies, as large-scale military exercises between Washington and Seoul were set to conclude.
Toyota Motor has suspended operations at a dozen factories in Japan due to a system failure.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 29, 2023
Toyota set to resume operations after glitch halts production
Tuesday's halt raised concerns that the stoppage could be due to a cyberattack, though the company said that was unlikely.
People protest after Japan moved to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant into the sea, in Hong Kong on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 28, 2023
Japan urges China to rein in harassing calls over Fukushima water
The calls, which sometimes numbered in the hundreds for certain targets, were made to businesses, schools and government offices.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 27, 2023
More tests show radiation levels of Fukushima seawater remain below limits
Tokyo hopes what it says is a transparent release of data will serve as a strong rebuttal to claims by Beijing that the discharge is dangerous.
Japan braces for more quakes as authorities dismiss doomsday hype
Evacuees from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecuture, arrive at Kagoshima Port on Friday.
Hidden AI prompts in academic papers spark concern about research integrity
Waseda University is one of 14 institutions in eight countries found to have used hidden prompts in research papers.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
U.S. military apologizes over Okinawa sexual assault case
Col. Neil Owens (right), chief of staff for the 3rd Marine Division, bows in apology at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
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