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Jesse Johnson
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 25, 2017
North Korea marks foundation of military with huge live-fire drill amid flurry of U.S. activity
North Korea and the U.S. flexed their military muscles Tuesday as Pyongyang marked the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army — without testing a nuclear weapon or conducting a major missile test.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 25, 2017
Cruise-missile carrying U.S. nuclear submarine visits South Korea amid soaring tensions on peninsula
A U.S. guided-missile nuclear submarine arrived in South Korea on Tuesday — the 85th anniversary of North Korea's founding of its military — in the latest show of force by the United States amid surging tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2017
MSDF destroyers kick off drills with USS Carl Vinson strike group in Western Pacific
Two Maritime Self-Defense Force ships begin joint drills with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its escort vessels in the Western Pacific as the strike group nears the Sea of Japan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 22, 2017
U.S. carrier to arrive in Sea of Japan 'within days,' Pence says
The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group is expected to arrive in the Sea of Japan "within a matter of days," U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday amid tensions with North Korea.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 19, 2017
North Korea marks late founder's birthday with video depicting massive nuclear strike on U.S.
A North Korean musical show celebrating the anniversary of its late founder has conveyed an explosive message for the United States — one depicting a massive nuclear strike on an unnamed city.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 18, 2017
U.S. aircraft carrier strike group still thousands of kilometers from South Korea, photos show
The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, initially believed to be arriving soon in waters off the Korean Peninsula as part of a show of force to Pyongyang by the U.S., appears to still be thousands of kilometers away, photos posted to the navy's website have shown.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Apr 18, 2017
For North Korea and China, defense pact proves a complicated document
In U.S. President Donald Trump's calculus, a choice between Chinese cooperation or American military action loom large as part of any solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis. But one often unspoken aspect of this outlook has been Beijing's rarely mentioned mutual defense pact with Pyongyang — a...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 16, 2017
North Korean test of medium-range missile explodes on launch in latest challenge for Trump
North Korea tested an apparent medium-range missile early Sunday that "blew up almost immediately," the U.S. military and government officials said — the latest act of defiance in the face of calls by Washington to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 15, 2017
North Korea shows off suspected ICBM during massive military parade
North Korea displayed what appeared to be new long-range and submarine-launched missiles Saturday as part of a massive military parade in Pyongyang to mark the 105th anniversary of the nuclear-armed country's founder.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2017
Japan's fighter jet scrambles set new record in 2016 amid surging Chinese military activity
Japan scrambled fighter jets to intercept foreign aircraft approaching its airspace at a record pace in the fiscal year to March, figures released by the Defense Ministry have shown,as China's military sought to break out further into the Western Pacific.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 13, 2017
Amid heightened tensions, North Korean nuclear test site 'primed and ready,' report says
North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site appears "primed and ready" for the country's sixth atomic test, an analysis by a U.S. research organization said amid growing concerns over Pyongyang's weapons programs.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 12, 2017
Xi, Trump talk on phone in bid to tamp down surging tensions over North Korean nukes
As a U.S. Navy "armada" steamed toward the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone, reiterating the need for a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear standoff.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 11, 2017
North Korea rips 'reckless' U.S. carrier dispatch, says it is ready for 'war'
North Korea has blasted the United States for rerouting an aircraft carrier strike group to waters off the Korean Peninsula amid surging tensions, saying it is "ready to react to any mode of war."
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 11, 2017
South Korean presidential contender Moon says he's open to direct talks with North's Kim
Moon Jae-in, a top contender for South Korea's May 9 presidential election, has vowed to speak directly with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if elected to resolve surging tensions on the peninsula, he told a local newspaper Monday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Apr 10, 2017
Stage set for showdown between Trump and Kim as tensions surge on Korean Peninsula
With a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group steaming toward waters off the Korean Peninsula and important anniversaries looming for nuclear-armed North Korea, the stage has been set for a showdown between U.S. President Donald Trump and the North's leader, Kim Jong Un.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 9, 2017
U.S. Navy carrier strike group heads toward Korean Peninsula amid rising tensions
The USS Carl Vinson-led aircraft carrier strike group has been sent to waters in the Western Pacific near the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. Navy's Pacific Command and media reports said Sunday ahead of the anniversary of the birth of North Korea's founder.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 7, 2017
U.S. strike on Syria changes North Korea dynamic as Trump, Xi meet
U.S. President Donald Trump’s stunning order for a missile strike on a Syrian military airfield Friday may change the calculus on how China views his threats of unilateral action against nuclear-armed North Korea, experts say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 7, 2017
Fighter jet spotted on South China Sea island, more believed in hangars: U.S. think tank
A Chinese fighter jet has been spotted on a Chinese-controlled island in the South China Sea for the first time in a year, a U.S. think tank said Thursday as President Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 6, 2017
More Americans view China in positive light amid easing economic concerns: poll
As U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet Thursday and Friday at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, it will be against a backdrop of softening American views toward China — despite a series of thorny issues the two powers face.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 5, 2017
Tillerson's curt — and unusual — statement could signal shift on North Korea
Twenty-three words. That was apparently as much ink U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was willing to devote to North Korea after the reclusive country's latest missile launch Wednesday.

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