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A meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to take place in Lima on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Friday and Saturday.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2024

Ishiba and Xi to affirm mutually beneficial strategic ties

In his meeting with Xi, Ishiba plans to demand China resume imports of Japanese fishery products at an early date.
Sakie Yokota, 88, speaks during a news conference in Kawasaki on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2024

Mother of North Korea abductee laments lack of progress over issue

"I wonder why this issue has dragged on so long," said 88-year-old Sakie Yokota. Her daughter, Megumi Yokota, went missing 47 years ago.
A bear sighting warning sign in a park at a residential area in the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture. Hanamaki has deployed along riverbanks artificial intelligence-equipped cameras that identify bears and alert city officials.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 13, 2024

Municipalities in Japan turn to AI and digital maps to prevent bear encounters

Akita Prefecture's online map consolidates reports of sightings and incidents while the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture has deployed cameras that identify bears.
Japan Atomic Power Co.'s Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture in 2017
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2024

Tsuruga reactor formally ruled noncompliant with safety standards

The Nuclear Regulation Authority ruled the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor did not meet the safety standards after a screening process taking nearly nine years.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other Cabinet members and lawmakers attend a session of the Lower House of parliament in Tokyo on Monday.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 13, 2024

Trump return leaves Japan’s leader with no time to snooze

The prime minister drew headlines for a moment after he was caught napping in parliament during proceedings for his own nomination as Japanese leader.
This September, six years after planting, researchers successfully cultivated 12 black truffles totaling 200 grams.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 14, 2024

Japan researchers achieve second success in artificial black truffle cultivation

While black truffles do grow naturally in Japan, cultivation methods are still underdeveloped, prompting ongoing research.
Japan's Shuko Aoyama (left) and Eri Hozumi celebrate after defeating the Romanian pair of Monica Niculescu and Elena Ruse during the Billie Jean Cup in Malaga, Spain, on Thursday.
TENNIS
Nov 15, 2024

Japan advances to Billie Jean Cup quarterfinals for first time in 11 years

Japan got off to the worst possible start in its first-round clash with the Romanians before rallying to win.
The U.S. said Japan should carry out interventions "only for very exceptional circumstances with appropriate prior consultations."
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 15, 2024

U.S. keeps Japan on forex monitoring list

The U.S. Treasury Department said Japan should carry out interventions "only for very exceptional circumstances with appropriate prior consultations."
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima on Friday.
JAPAN
Nov 16, 2024

Ishiba meets Biden and Yoon, as Trump's White House return looms

The three sought to further cement ties by announcing the creation of a “trilateral secretariat” to better coordinate and implement their goals.
Japan's Eri Hozumi (left) and Shuko Aoyama talk during their doubles match against Italy's Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani during the Billie Jean Cup in Malaga, Spain, on Saturday.
TENNIS
Nov 17, 2024

Japan comes up short at Billie Jean King Cup as Italy reaches semifinals

Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani earned a decisive victory over Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024

Ishiba and Yoon unite on 'strong concerns' over North Korean troops in Russia

Tokyo and Seoul have stressed that, with the involvement of North Korea in the Ukraine war, the conflict has expanded to include Asia.
Fuji Subaru Line fifth station is crowded with hikers on Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture in September 2023.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 2024

Mount Fuji eyes China-made tram to transport hikers, source says

Pollution and overcrowding have become a headache for authorities seeking to clean up the site, which many Japanese people hold sacred.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024

Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions

According to Ishiba, Trump’s team explained that no meetings with foreign leaders will take place before the inauguration due to legal constraints
Troops from the Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade take part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises in Kagoshima Prefecture in November of last year.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2024

Elite GSDF troops to regularly deploy for drills in Australia

Tokyo will begin the deployments of the GSDF’s elite Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to the city of Darwin starting next year.
Air Self-Defense Force F-35A fighter jets at the U.S. military's Misawa base in Aomori Prefecture. The deployment of the U.S. military's cutting-edge F-35A stealth fighters at the base will start in the spring of 2026.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2024

F-35A deployment at Misawa base to start in spring 2026

The U.S. Department of Defense plans to spend about $10 billion to upgrade its fighter jets deployed in Japan over several years.
Since inmates with mental disabilities often repeat similar offenses after a short period of time — partly due to a lack of necessary support — increased help from staffers with specialized knowledge is becoming crucial.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 18, 2024

Ministry ramps up support for prisoners with mental disabilities in Japan

One of the main targets is to reduce the recidivism rate, which tends to be higher for prisoners with mental and developmental disabilities.
The number of visitors to Mount Fuji has exploded in recent years and authorities have struggled to reduce the environmental impact.
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2024

Yamanashi officially scraps Fuji railway plan as it looks to Chinese tram

Authorities are eyeing a transport system developed by China's state-owned railway company CRRC, as well as alternatives from Japanese firms.
Jun Kiyohara and three other Japanese men have been transferred from the Philippines to Japan and arrested Monday for allegedly being involved in a fraud case.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 19, 2024

Japanese police arrest four alleged fraudsters based in Cambodia

The men are believed to be members of a group based in Phnom Penh that engaged in scams classified as special fraud in Japan.
Tomohiro Koyama (center), who was arrested for his suspected involvement in a fraud case, arrives at Narita Airport on Tuesday afternoon from Manila.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 20, 2024

Senior JP Dragon member linked to Luffy crime group arrested

Tomohiro Koyama was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on board an aircraft while being deported from the Philippines.
Japan's exports rebounded in October, led by a pickup in chip equipment demand in China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 20, 2024

Japan’s exports grow, helped by China even as global risks rise

Exports rose 3.1% from a year ago, led by strong growth in shipments of chip-making equipment, especially sales to China.
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force take part in a joint military drill involving Japan, the United States, Britain and Australia at Narashino exercise field in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, in January 2023.
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2024

Japan hosts Five Eyes group meeting for first time

The move highlights the growing cooperation between Tokyo and its allies amid shared concerns about a rapidly deteriorating security environment.
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 20, 2024

Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year

Just 37% of respondents in Japan said they were satisfied with their romantic and sexual relationships, according to a survey from Ipsos.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba takes part in the summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 21, 2024

Ishiba ends South America tour with results and challenges

There was no concrete progress with China's leader on some issues, including the detention of Japanese nationals.
United States midfielder Sam Coffey (17) battles Japan forward Yui Hasegawa (14) during the SheBelieves Cup in Atlanta in April.
SOCCER
Nov 21, 2024

U.S. women to host Japan, Australia and Colombia in 2025 event

The 10th edition of the event will feature a six-game, three-day format for round-robin matches.
Out of over 16,000 pharmaceutical products, 3,103 — or 18.5% — were either in limited or suspended supply as of the end of October, according to a recent survey. Of these, over 60% are generic drugs.
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2024

Japan's generic drug shortage continues as flu season kicks off

The supply shortfall is due to a string of scandals that hit the generic drug industry in recent years as well as other structural problems.
Japan's Kaito Kozono celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the United States in the eighth inning at Tokyo Dome on Thursday.
BASEBALL
Nov 21, 2024

Kaito Kozono hits two homers to power Samurai Japan to win over U.S. at Premier12

Japan extended its winning streak in international games to 25.
A blue sheet obscures a stone pillar that bears the name of the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, after graffiti was found on it on Aug. 19.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2024

Tokyo police obtain warrant for Chinese youth over Yasukuni graffiti

The youth is suspected of writing Chinese words, including one meaning toilet, on a stone pillar and its base at Yasukuni Shrine at around 10 p.m. on Aug. 18.
Do Deuce with jockey Yutaka Take aboard wins the Emperor’s Cup (Autumn) at Tokyo Racecourse on Oct. 27.
MORE SPORTS / Horse Racing
Nov 22, 2024

Strong group of contenders set to compete for glory

Christmas comes early, as usual, for fans of horse racing in Japan. This Sunday once again sees the Group 1 Japan Cup run at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, just a short distance away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Beijing Daxing International Airport
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2024

China reinstates visa-free travel for Japanese nationals

The exemption will cover travel for up to 30 days and will continue through the end of 2025. 
An electrical substation in Tokyo. Japan's total power generation fell to its lowest in more than a decade in the year through March.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 22, 2024

Japan’s power output falls to lowest in more than a decade

The total amount of electricity generated fell 1.6% year on year to 985.4 terawatt hours in the 12 months to March.

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A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami