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May 18, 2024
 

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Jesse Johnson
For Jesse Johnson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi offers prayers in front of a church in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha on Saturday.
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.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hold hands for a commemorative photo during the ASEAN Plus Three meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday.
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.
People line up Tuesday for a lottery to get a seat for the first trial hearing of Shinji Aoba, the suspect in the 2019 Kyoto Animation arson attack, at the Kyoto District Court.
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.
Seawater sampling operations near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant after treated water was discharged into the ocean on Friday
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.
A giant screen broadcasts news footage of a Chinese fighter jet taking part in a "combat readiness patrol" around Taiwan, at a shopping area in Beijing, in April.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 26, 2023
Taiwan says Chinese combat drone flew along island's east coast
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry also said the Chinese aircraft included J-10 and Su-30 fighter jets, as well as anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft.
A man walks past a TV broadcasting a report about North Korea's failed rocket launch, at the main railway station in Seoul on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 24, 2023
North Korea fails in latest attempt to put spy satellite into orbit
Pyongyang said it would try again in October, after the failed launch prompted Japan to issue an emergency warning for Okinawan residents to take shelter.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol attend a news conference during a trilateral summit at Camp David, Maryland, on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 22, 2023
U.S. pushes back against Chinese trilateral summit criticism
China said it had protested the summit to the three countries, claiming they had “smeared and attacked" China on Taiwan and maritime issues.
North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket is launched in Cholsan County, North Korea, on May 31 in this image taken from video.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2023
North Korea to launch satellite between Thursday and Aug. 31
Japan has indefinitely extended an order issued to destroy any North Korean ballistic missile, rocket or debris that threatens the country's territory.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees a "strategic cruise missile" test aboard a navy warship in this undated photo released Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 21, 2023
Kim leads missile test as South Korea-U.S. military drills begin
North Korea's test of “strategic cruise missiles” came as the U.S. and South Korea kicked off some of the largest joint military exercises in years.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol shake hands during a trilateral summit at Camp David, Maryland, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 20, 2023
Japan, South Korea and U.S. hail ties, but staying power questioned
While the three nations agreed to bolster ties in an array of areas, inevitable political change could prove to be a stumbling block for trilateral ties.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol as the three arrive for a joint news conference during a trilateral summit at Camp David, near Thurmont, Maryland, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 19, 2023
Japan, South Korea and U.S. inaugurate a 'new era' of cooperation
The three countries' leaders also announced a plan to create a hotline for coordinating responses to regional challenges and threats.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol attend a photo op on the day of trilateral engagement during the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 17, 2023
U.S., Japan and South Korea to announce new hotline at summit
The three countries' leaders will to agree on a “very ambitious set of initiatives that seek to lock in trilateral engagement,” a top U.S. official said.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol attend a photo op on the day of trilateral engagement during the Group of Seven summit at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima on May 21.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 16, 2023
Biden, Kishida and Yoon look to ‘institutionalize’ trilateral ties
The leaders will agree to hold three-way summits at least once a year, in addition to conducting more joint drills and boosting intelligence-sharing.
A United Nations Command soldier conducts a media tour of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas as a South Korean soldier and other UNC soldiers stand guard at the Joint Security Area in the truce village of Panmunjom last October.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 16, 2023
North Korea claims U.S. soldier seeking refuge from mistreatment
Pyongyang said U.S. Army Pfc. Travis King had “admitted that he illegally intruded” into North Korea last month.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Japan to review romanization system for first time in 70 years
An advisory panel to the education ministry will consider how the Japanese language should be transcribed into the Latin alphabet, including unifying different romanization styles currently in use.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Japan’s economy contracts as consumers and firms cut spending
Japan's gross domestic product shrank at an annualized pace of 2% in the three months through March.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Japanese rap creates its mecca in Pop Yours
Tokyo-based artist Jumadiba says he forgoes the label of simply “rap” for his music because the Japanese rap scene isn’t confined to a particular sound.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.
How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

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