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A man stops at a site near a sports center in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, where a deadly car attack in November killed 35 people.  
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 14, 2025

China's rising violence that could lead to foreign aggression

While China does have social welfare programs, the current economic system provides insufficient resources for the working class and unemployed individuals.
During his first term, U.S. President Donald Trump took a hard line against China. As Trump takes office again, this confrontation is likely to continue and potentially escalate over issues such as Taiwan and economic security interests.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 20, 2025

Politics and the economy: Bedfellows of U.S.-China relations

Since Trump's first term, China has shown its willingness to use aggressive economic measures in its confrontation with the U.S., setting the stage for a potential escalation.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington on Friday. The two leaders expressed views opposing China's military actions in the South and East China seas.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2025

China complains to Japan about 'negative' references in joint statement

According to a joint statement, the U.S. and Japanese leaders expressed views opposing China's military actions in the South and East China seas.
Taiwanese supporters celebrate at a victory parade marking Taiwan's win in the WBSC Premier 12 baseball championship in Taipei on Nov. 26. Taiwan calls itself a sovereign nation but has stopped short of formally declaring independence.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 17, 2025

Taiwan welcomes 'positive' wording on U.S. government website about island

The U.S. State Department has removed from its website a phrase saying Washington does "not support Taiwan independence."
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles listens during an AUKUS meeting in London on Sept. 26, 2024.
WORLD
Feb 23, 2025

New Zealand says China navy held another live-fire drill in international waters

Similar drills a day earlier had forced airlines in the area to divert some flights.
Visitors take pictures of wafer samples at the Intel booth during Computex 2024 in Taipei on June 4, 2024. U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on semiconductor chips has complicated Taiwan's bid to remain a global powerhouse in the critical sector and stay onside with key backer Washington, analysts said.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 25, 2025

Trump's chip tariff threats raise stakes for Taiwan

Taiwan produces more than half of the world's chips and nearly all of the most advanced ones, making the island essential to global supply chains.
Taiwanese Air Force Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft taxi for takeoff during a scramble as part of a combat readiness exercise at the Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung, Taiwan, on Jan. 7.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 26, 2025

China holds 'shooting' drills off Taiwan's coast, vows 'reunification' push

Taipei said the exercises endanger the safety of international flights and shipping and are a "blatant provocation" to regional peace and stability.
Ayako Sono
JAPAN
Mar 4, 2025

Japanese writer Ayako Sono dies at 93

Renowned Japanese writer Ayako Sono, known for many best-selling novels and essays, died of natural causes at a Tokyo hospital. She was 93.
Elbridge Colby appears at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee to be undersecretary of defense for policy at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 5, 2025

Trump Pentagon policy pick pushes Japan and Taiwan to boost defense spending

Tokyo should boost its defense budget to 3% of GDP "as soon as possible,” said Elbridge Colby, Trump's pick for the top policy job at the Pentagon.
People hold a Ukrainian flag and a Taiwan flag during a protest to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Taipei on Feb. 23.
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Mar 11, 2025

‘We are not Ukraine’: Top Taiwan officials temper comparisons after U.S. U-turn

Top Taiwanese officials believe the U.S. will stay invested in the island's security as Washington remains united on the need to counter China.
Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu told The Japan Times in an interview last week in Taipei that he hopes with the island democracy can strengthen ties with Japan and other like-minded nations “at every level.”
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 12, 2025

Taiwan’s No. 2 diplomat seeks higher-level ‘unofficial’ Japan meetings as ties grow

Taipei has been shifting away from its competition with China over formal recognition, focusing instead on pragmatism to circumvent diplomatic obstacles.
The level of intraparty animosity between the KMT and DPP is so high that brawls have repeatedly broken out in parliament as the government and opposition try to block each other from physically participating in voting on bills.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 13, 2025

Taiwan’s DPP and KMT lock horns amid specter of recall votes

Recall votes could potentially alter the balance of power in the Legislative Yuan in favor of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
Officials from Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), the Ministry of National Defense’s research arm, say the lessons from the Ukraine conflict are clear for the democratic island: drones and other autonomous systems are crucial for its defense.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Mar 14, 2025

Drones, budgets and infighting: Taiwan's daunting defense challenges

In bridging its military gap with China, Taiwan needs to both overcome key technical challenges of asymmetric warfare.
A Taiwanese military honor guard holds Taiwanese flags during an open day event for the public at the Keelung port on the island Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 18, 2025

China sends most military aircraft near Taiwan since October

Beijing's military move came days after the democratic island’s president called it “a foreign hostile force.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with C.C. Wei, chief executive of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., at a news conference in Washington on March 3.
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 19, 2025

Tariff threats spur TSMC’s Taiwan peers to seek U.S. expansion

Taiwanese electronic firms' migration of manufacturing to the U.S. has accelerated from previous years as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens more trade barriers.
Soldiers take part in the first day of the annual Han Kuang military drills in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in July last year.
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 19, 2025

Taiwan defense drills identify 2027 for potential China invasion for first time

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry unveiled the date in a document released Tuesday to brief lawmakers on upcoming war games simulating an attack by the Chinese military.
A CPC Corporation logo in Taipei. The energy giant on Thursday signed a letter of intent to buy liquefied natural gas from the U.S. state of Alaska, government officials said.
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 21, 2025

Taiwan signals intent to buy Alaskan natural gas

Alaskan natural gas "can meet our needs and ensure our energy security," said Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
The "Infinite Paradise" main lantern takes center stage at the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival, held in the city of Taoyuan between Feb. 12 and 23.
JAPAN
Mar 30, 2025

Lantern festival lights up skies in Taiwan with Japanese flair

Japanese municipalities added sparkle to the celebration in Taoyuan, with decorations featuring local mascots and icons.
Liu Zhenya and her daughter are escorted by police and immigration officers at Songshan Airport in Taipei on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 26, 2025

Chinese influencer forced to leave Taiwan for supporting invasion

Taiwan authorities ordered Liu Zhenya to leave because she posted videos supporting the idea of a Chinese military takeover.
Oil pipelines in Alaska. U.S. President Donald Trump wants Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to join a $44 billion natural gas export project.
BUSINESS
Mar 29, 2025

Alaska governor to brief Trump on Asia gas push as tariffs bite

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is winding up a trip through Asia where he has been seeking investors and long-term buyers.
The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sails in waters off Taiwan on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2025

China conducts joint military exercises aimed at blockading Taiwan

The Chinese drills were practicing closing in on the island, with Beijing also warning that efforts toward Taiwan independence meant “war.”
Four Taiwan Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jets prepare to take off from Hsinchu Airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Wednesday, amid ongoing Chinese military drills around the democratic island.
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 2, 2025

China ends two days of military drills with simulated strikes on Taiwan ports and energy sites

The large-scale exercises prompted scathing criticism from the U.S. that China was fueling tensions in the region.
Taiwanese National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (left), President Lai Ching-te (center) and Defense Minister Wellington Koo pose for photos with soldiers as they visit the troops during the Rapid Response Exercise at the Songshan military airbase in Taipei on March 21.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 5, 2025

Taiwan's top security official visits U.S. for talks

The visit marked Donald Trump's first use of the so-called special channel since returning to the White House on Jan. 20.
Kwai Chung container ports in Hong Kong earlier this month
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 7, 2025

East Asia tries a mix of measures to counter U.S. tariffs as markets suffer

U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced a raft of tariffs, with almost every country affected.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 8, 2025

Trump threatens to hike China tariffs further as market plunge continues

A global trade war touched off by U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs escalated further on Monday.
A television station broadcasts U.S. President Donald Trump speaking during a Rose Garden event, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Apr 8, 2025

Frustrated world leaders wonder if Trump even wants a deal

U.S. President Donald Trump has set a high bar, telling reporters that any agreements would need to eliminate bilateral trade deficits.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks near Elbridge Colby (right) at Colby’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee for undersecretary of defense for policy, at the Capitol in Washington on March 4.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 9, 2025

U.S. confirms new Pentagon No. 3 as Japan defense budget in crosshairs

Elbridge Colby is a known China hawk and advocate for Asian allies — including Japan — to spend more on defense.
People march to the parliament in protest of the Treaty Principles Bill, in Wellington, New Zealand, in November 2024.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 10, 2025

New Zealand parliament rejects controversial move to revise indigenous law

New Zealand’s Parliament overwhelmingly rejected a bill to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi — the 1840 founding pact between Maori and the British Crown — after months of protest.
Signs advertising the upcoming World Expo in Osaka have proliferated in the city's different neighborhood for the past few years.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 11, 2025

I’ve only just come back from Osaka, but I’m ready to hit the Expo

The term “bakari” can be used in several different ways to emphasize and define the limit of a range.
A night market in Taipei in April
JAPAN / Society
Apr 16, 2025

Japan is by far the favorite country among Taiwanese: survey

Japan has been the most popular country since the survey began in 2008.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.