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November 19, 2025
 

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Gabriel Dominguez
(From left) Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Foreign Minister Sugiono, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi attend a joint press announcement after their meeting at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 18, 2025
Japan and Indonesia zero in on maritime security as they agree to boost defense ties
The move could also open up opportunities for trilateral cooperation with Australia following Jakarta’s announcement of plans to upgrade a key defense agreement with Canberra.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi shakes hands with his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, during a visit to the Yokosuka naval base, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Monday in this image posted to Koizumi's X account.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2025
Indonesia’s defense chief inspects MSDF vessels as talk of exports grows
Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met with Defence Minister Shinjuro Koizumi in Tokyo ahead of a third round of “two-plus-two” talks between both countries’ foreign and defense ministers.
Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s visited Brussels last week, telling lawmakers that “global prosperity depends on a strong and free Taiwan.”
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 14, 2025
Taiwan makes inroads into Europe as China hits rough patch with West
The self-ruled, democratic island is circumventing diplomatic obstacles despite Beijing’s efforts to ostracize it.
The Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, carries out sea trials at an unknown location in May last year.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 11, 2025
China delivers warning to U.S. and Japan with third aircraft carrier
The new 316-meter warship will allow Beijing to keep at least one carrier at sea at all times, giving it more options to project air and naval power closer to its neighbors.
A member of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s space division joins a multinational space operations team comprised of allies, partners and five U.S. service branches in support of Valiant Shield 2024 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii in June 2024.
WORLD
Nov 6, 2025
Space assets ‘critical’ in future wars, Canada's space division chief says
Control of the space domain will be crucial in any future conflict against a modern adversary — including in a potential war over Taiwan.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with Lin Hsin-i, Taiwan’s presidential adviser, on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday in this image posted to Takaichi's official X account.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 4, 2025
Takaichi’s balancing act: Supporting Taiwan and stabilizing China ties
Sanae Takaichi has appeared to allay fears of a more hawkish approach to Beijing, but her open support for deepening ties with Taiwan could complicate the relationships.
A screenshot from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's X account shows Takaichi exchanging greetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Friday.　
JAPAN
Oct 31, 2025
Takaichi and Xi reaffirm pledge in first meet to pursue ‘mutually beneficial’ ties
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her first in-person talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit Friday afternoon.
The USS Annapolis nuclear-powered submarine is anchored at a naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea, in July 2023.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Oct 30, 2025
South Korea to build nuclear-powered subs in U.S., Trump says
Washington’s decision to share the closely held nuclear technology with Seoul could have implications for Tokyo’s own defense policies.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier during a visit to the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 29, 2025
Takaichi buys time and builds trust with ‘near-perfect’ Trump summit
Experts called the PM’s meeting with the U.S. president an “overwhelming success,” especially considering the tumult and uncertainty in bilateral relations over the past year.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi shake hands at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 29, 2025
Hegseth says U.S. never demanded Japan defense spending hike
In his first meeting with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth called Japan's current defense spending plans “wonderful.”
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of U.S. Navy personnel on board the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the American naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
At first summit with Trump, Takaichi pledges 'new golden age' for alliance
The meeting was a crucial test of Takaichi’s diplomatic chops as she seeks to elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance while staving off pressure from the U.S. on defense spending.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks on as Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders attend the opening of bloc's summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 27, 2025
In diplomatic debut, Takaichi chooses continuity at ASEAN summit
New Prime Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi put fears of a more hawkish approach to China on the backburner as she promised boosted ties with Southeast Asia.
Visitors look at airborne weapons displayed at a booth of Aviation Industry Corporation of China at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Zhuhai Airshow, in Zhuhai, China, in November 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Oct 16, 2025
Russian training could help Chinese paratroopers play key role in a Taiwan invasion
Leaked documents indicate that Russia is training and equipping Chinese units to potentially airdrop onto the island to clear a path for follow-on forces.
The Jingei, the third of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Taigei-class submarines, was commissioned in March last year. It is equipped with lithium-ion batteries, enabling it to have a longer diving time and cruising distance than older models with lead-acid batteries.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 8, 2025
With nuclear sub proposal, Japan faces array of political and tech challenges
An expert panel has called for Japan’s next-generation subs to be able to operate longer and strike targets from farther way, a shift from current policy.
Japan's then-foreign minister, Yoko Kamikawa (left), and Philippine defense chief Gilberto Teodoro shake hands after signing a Reciprocal Access Agreement at the Malacanang Palace in Manila in July last year.
JAPAN
Oct 7, 2025
Tokyo and Manila apply visiting-forces pact for first time to supply relief goods
The two countries employed the Reciprocal Access Agreement as part of a disaster relief mission following a deadly quake in the Philippines last week.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (center right) and Papua New Guinea leader James Marape pose with officials after the signing of the Pukpuk Treaty at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 6, 2025
With eye on China, Australia and Papua New Guinea ink mutual defense pact
The agreement is mainly intended to offset China’s expanding military clout in the South Pacific and prevent Beijing from projecting power through Australia’s northern approach.
Indian Army chief Upendra Dwivedi waves as he arrives to attend the ceremonial reception of Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in New Delhi in May.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 6, 2025
‘We have drawn lessons,’ Indian Army chief says of brief clash with Pakistan
India and Pakistan’s brief war earlier this year has offered numerous lessons on the evolving nature of warfare, according to Indian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Upendra Dwivedi.
Air Self-Defense Force F-15Js arrive at RAF Coningsby in England on Sept. 18.
JAPAN
Oct 1, 2025
Japan shows NATO support with first fighter jet deployment to Canada, Europe
The mission, which involved four F-15Js along with two refueling and two transport aircraft, demonstrates the Air Self-Defense Force’s long-distance operational capabilities.
Cargo ships are docked in Navi Mumbai, India, in February. Only 5% of India's exports and imports are carried on Indian-flagged ships.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 25, 2025
India aims to challenge global shipbuilding giants
The South Asian nation seeks to boost its resilience and strategic self-reliance as China speeds ahead to become a global maritime power.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea leader James Marape attend a flag-lowering ceremony in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 17, 2025
Australia and Papua New Guinea delay mutual defense pact
The postponement was Canberra’s latest stumble as it seeks to counterbalance Beijing’s expanding presence and clout in the Pacific region.
A beloved Tokyo penguin’s end presages Suica’s shift to payments giant
JR East is retiring the beloved Suica penguin as part of a rebrand to transform the contactless payment platform, used for both transit and retail, into a mobile fintech powerhouse.
Japan sends senior official to China to cool boiling tensions
A Chinese tour group in the Ginza shopping district of Tokyo on Sunday. China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, following a diplomatic feud sparked by remarks from Tokyo's new prime minister about a hypothetical attack on Taiwan.
More Japanese firms relax rules in tussle for workers
Hinako Mori, 22, arranges products at a Don Quijote outlet in Tokyo in October. The Japanese retailer, which relaxed its rules concerning hair and nail polish three years ago, says nearly a quarter of its employees sport brightly colored hair.
What you need to know about the shift to My Number health insurance cards
With the government's integration of health insurance with My Number cards, conventional health insurance cards will no longer be accepted at clinics and hospitals across Japan from Dec. 2.
Bears attacks and sightings continue in northern Japan
A bear walks in front of a box trap set up at a park in the city of Akita on Nov. 2.
How Band-Maid brought anime energy into the hard-rock sound of ‘Scooooop’
Members of Band-Maid combine heavy riffs and maid-inspired visuals in their latest project, "Rock Is a Lady’s Modesty."
Japan uses series against South Korea to prep for World Baseball Classic title defense
Japan's Ryuhei Sotani pitches against South Korea at Tokyo Dome on Saturday night.
Who is cricket’s Shohei Ohtani?
South African cricket legend Jacques Kallis plays a shot during the final day of a cricket test match against India in Johannesburg in December 2013.
Good fortune, wrapped in fried tofu
Golden "age-fukuburo," a culinary take on Japan's new year "lucky bags," can be served on their own.
Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan celebrates 80 years at the forefront of press freedom
Located near the Imperial Palace, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan prides itself on the accessibility of its events and the support it offers to budding and established journalists. The club is currently headed by Dan Sloan, a former reporter for Reuters.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo
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