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July 06, 2025
 

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Jesse Johnson
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2021
Chinese ships near Senkakus for first time since new law allowing use of arms
China's new coast guard law has stoked concern in Japan, with some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party urging bolstered measures near the uninhabited islets.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Feb 6, 2021
Biden's message to Beijing: Don't expect U.S. to ease up over South China Sea and Taiwan
The U.S. Navy conducted its first “freedom of navigation operation” in the disputed South China Sea on Friday and, a day earlier, its first transit of the Taiwan Strait.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 30, 2021
U.S. slams Chinese warplanes' flights, but says carrier wasn't at risk
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command silent on reported simulated attack but lambastes Chinese military moves as the latest 'aggressive and destabilizing actions” designed 'to intimidate or coerce.'
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jan 27, 2021
A week into Biden's term, signs point to continued U.S.-China friction
A flurry of military activity around Taiwan has highlighted ongoing strains in the relationship, even as both sides warn against confrontation.
JAPAN
Jan 27, 2021
Third time’s a charm? Japan gets another high-level U.S. commitment to defending Senkakus
New U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was the third high-level U.S. official in a week to reaffirm that the islets fall under the U.S.-Japan security treaty.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 24, 2021
U.S. sends carrier into South China Sea as Chinese bombers fly near Taiwan
The dispatch of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group to the waterway was seen as an implicit message to China just days after U.S. President Joe Biden's inauguration.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 24, 2021
New U.S. defense chief confirms Senkakus fall under security treaty
Tokyo likely to be encouraged by new U.S. defense chief's apparent embrace of Japan's “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.'
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2021
Asia wonders: Can a Biden-led U.S. return to form?
The newly minted U.S. leader is looking to reassure a world wary of capricious American foreign policy during the Trump administration.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2021
The Trump administration is over, but will its Asia policies continue to resonate?
While many policies were erratic, bore little immediate fruit or appeared to severely damage partnerships, some of the fundamentals are expected to survive his departure.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 15, 2021
North Korea unveils new submarine-launched missile at parade
'Powerful weapon' likely to put all of Japan within range, and experts say it could lay the groundwork for longer-range solid-fueled missile.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 14, 2021
Architect of U.S. pivot picked to be Biden's 'Asia czar'
The appointment of former Obama administration official Kurt Campbell will 'supercharge' Biden's standing in Asia, experts said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 13, 2021
North Korea's Kim vows stronger 'nuclear war deterrent' as party congress ends
Kim wrapped up the congress on Tuesday by noting the importance of nuclear weapons and a strong military in the face of what it calls a “hostile policy” by the U.S.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 13, 2021
Defend, dominate, deny: Declassified U.S. strategy shows vision for Indo-Pacific
The document appears to highlight the large role Japan played in its formation and after, touting the “strategic resonance” of Tokyo's “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” concept.
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2021
Avoid nonessential outings in daytime, Japan virus response chief says
Economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura made the request after the three-day weekend saw no change in the number of people venturing out.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 11, 2021
General Secretary Kim: North Korean leader given late father's title
Kim Jong Un was elected to the top post Monday, taking the mantle from his late father in a move seen as cementing the role of the Workers' Party of Korea in the country's affairs.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 10, 2021
North Korea ruling party says key congress to be held every five years
Prior to the amendment to the party's rules, the congress — where leader Kim Jong Un has announced key regime decisions and plans — had been sporadically held.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 10, 2021
Trump's Taiwan policy ends much as it started — by blowing up status quo
The U.S. has lifted decades-old restrictions on contacts between U.S. officials and their Taiwanese counterparts, just days before President-elect Joe Biden is due to take office.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 9, 2021
North Korea's Kim greets Biden era with plan to upgrade nuclear capabilities
Kim vows to bolster arsenal — including via new weapons tests — but leaves door open to diplomacy with the United States.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 8, 2021
North Korea's Kim hints at improving inter-Korean ties and foreign policy
The leader teased the possibility of improved ties with Seoul and vowed to expand 'external relations' in his first remarks on foreign policy since Joe Biden's election.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 7, 2021
North Korea's Kim vows to boost nuclear-armed country's 'defense capabilities'
On the second day of a rare party congress, the strongman vowed to put 'state defense capabilities on a much higher level, and put forth goals for realizing it.”
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.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
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SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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