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Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 13, 2022
Beijing says it expelled U.S. destroyer from waters near South China Sea islands
The USS Benfold guided-missile destroyer had conducted a “freedom of navigation operation” near the Paracel Islands, according to the U.S. Navy.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Jul 12, 2022
As Japan mourns Abe's death, details of shooting suspect begin to emerge
Investigative sources have indicated that Tetsuya Yamagami planned his attack on Shinzo Abe extensively.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 11, 2022
Unification Church says Abe shooting suspect’s mother is follower
The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly harbored a grudge against Abe over what he believed were the former prime minister's ties to the group.
JAPAN
Jul 11, 2022
U.S. hails Abe as 'man of vision' as family mourns late former leader
Top diplomat Antony Blinken said he had shared letters from U.S. President Joe Biden with Abe's family and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 10, 2022
With fresh mandate, Kishida set to have hands full in coming months
Fresh off his party's Upper House election victory, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to set his sights on a signature economic policy, Japan's COVID measures and a defense overhaul.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2022
South Korea's Yoon to visit Japanese Embassy to offer condolences over Abe death
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is also likely to dispatch a delegation led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to a government memorial service for Abe later this week.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 5, 2022
Seoul steps up moves to mend tattered relationship with Tokyo
South Korea has held the first meeting of a public-private body on wartime labor, with momentum toward improving ties with Japan expected to grow after Sunday's election.
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2022
Russian warships travel between far-flung Okinawan islands
The announcement was the first time that Japan's Defense Ministry revealed that Russian Navy vessels had passed through the waterway between Yonaguni and Iriomote Islands.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 28, 2022
After support for Ukraine, Kishida aims for NATO unity on China
The leader will stress the need for unity with NATO in preventing China from taking the “wrong lessons” from Ukraine as the bloc looks to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jun 22, 2022
North Korea's Kim presides over major military meeting as nuke test fears grow
The Central Military Commission was set to decide on “important strategic and tactical tasks' for the country's military, the latest signal that a nuclear test may be imminent.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 21, 2022
Foreign policy and security top Japan election agenda. But for how long?
With voters expressing worries over inflation and less than three weeks to go before the Upper House poll, there's plenty of time for the political winds to shift.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2022
LDP targets ‘counterstrike capability’ for first time in campaign platform
The shift comes amid growing concerns related to Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang, but critics say it deviates from Japan's traditional defense-oriented policy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 14, 2022
As North Korean missiles fly, Seoul signals need to revitalize intel pact with Tokyo
Pyongyang's record-breaking number of launches this year continues to push Seoul and Tokyo closer after years of soured ties, including on the contentious GSOMIA pact.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2022
Japan defense minister delivers speech targeting 'rule-flouting' nuclear-armed neighbors
Nobuo Kishi said Japan is on the “front lines” with nuclear-armed Russia, China and North Korea, and urged cooperation in halting their attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 8, 2022
North Korean missile barrage adds new dimension to Japan's threat assessment
The launch of eight missiles from four locations in the country builds on earlier training for a strike designed to overwhelm Japanese and South Korean missile defenses, experts say.
JAPAN
Jun 7, 2022
Japanese government coy on specifics as five-year plan to strengthen defense confirmed
Newly approved economic policy guidelines mention plans to bolster Japan's military over five years without giving a specific spending target — reflecting divisions within the LDP.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 6, 2022
South Korea and U.S. fire off missiles in response to North Korean tests
The two countries' militaries conducted the joint live-fire exercise early Monday, firing off eight surface-to-surface missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 5, 2022
North Korea fires off 'unprecedented' volley of eight ballistic missiles
Japan's defense chief said it was possible that the launches were aimed at improving the North's continuous launch capabilities, which are necessary for conducting saturation attacks.
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2022
U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel praises Japan’s decision to 'invest in its own defense'
In an attempt to strengthen both Japan's deterrence capabilities and its ties with Washington, Tokyo is breaking a long-standing taboo on hiking defense spending.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 25, 2022
North Korea launches apparent ICBM, a day after Biden departs Asia
South Korea's military said its nuclear-armed neighbor had launched an apparent long-range missile just a day after U.S. leader Joe Biden wrapped up his first visit to Asia as president.

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