National Feb 5, 2019
by Satoshi Sugiyama
At immigration control, an officer told Tsuneoka that his passport had been invalidated and that he was ordered to relinquish it — in effect banning him from leaving.
NEWSWORTHY
National / Crime & Legal Nov 26, 2018
Foreign Ministry official arrested in Kabukicho over possession of illegal stimulant
A Foreign Ministry official has been arrested in Tokyo's famous Kabukicho nightlife district for allegedly possessing an illegal stimulant drug, police said Monday. Yasutoshi Tanimoto, 46, is suspected of having 0.6 grams of the drug on him on a street in the district of Shinjuku ...
National Jul 2, 2018
Hundreds of dignitaries honor Yoshio Okawara, former Japanese ambassador to U.S.
by Reiji Yoshida
Several hundred top diplomats, politicians and business people gathered Monday at a Tokyo hotel to honor Yoshio Okawara, a former Japanese ambassador to the United States who died of pneumonia March 29 at age 99. Okawara served as Japan's man in Washington from 1980 to ...
National / Politics Jun 26, 2018
Japan's Foreign Ministry to create new division dedicated solely to North Korea
by Reiji Yoshida
To cope with the growing number of diplomatic tasks concerning the Korean Peninsula, the Foreign Ministry plans to split its Northeast Asia Division into two sections on July 1 to create a new division dedicated solely to North Korean affairs, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide ...
National / Politics May 18, 2018
Over 383,000 documents classified under Japan's state secrets law by end of 2017
The government had 517 designated state secrets at the end of 2017, with the number of administrative documents containing them totaling 383,733, a government report showed Friday. The designated secrets involve 11 government agencies, according to the report, which was approved at the day's Cabinet ...
National | Deep Dive Apr 19, 2018
Dual citizenship in Japan: A 'don’t ask, don’t tell' policy leaves many in the dark
by Sakura Murakami, Cory Baird and Louise George Kittaka
Do you have to renounce citizenship? Do you switch passports at the airport? Has anyone ever been punished? Dual nationals tell their stories.
National Apr 2, 2018
Foreign Minister Taro Kono urges his newest diplomats to hone their English
by Daisuke Kikuchi
Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Monday extended a warm welcome to the ministry's newest recruits, and asked the young diplomats to continue improving their English and other essential skills needed to connect Japan with the rest of the world. "By devoting yourself to studying English ...
National / Politics Mar 20, 2018
Caroline Kennedy sees Okinawa as key to security ties with Japan
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy said Monday that Okinawa is the linchpin to the U.S.-Japan security alliance. She made the remarks as she sought understanding from 20 visiting high school and university students from Okinawa on the importance of the U.S. military presence ...
National Feb 19, 2018
Japan falling behind global leaders in renewable energy use, panel warns in report
by Eric Johnston
Japan is falling behind other leading countries in renewable energy use, while its promotion of coal-fired plants risks hindering the competitiveness of domestic firms in a global market more concerned than ever about carbon emissions. A new diplomatic energy strategy is needed that deploys more ...
Issues | LAW OF THE LAND Dec 31, 2017
Japan's Supreme Court hands down a road map for parental child abductions
by Colin P.A. Jones
The top court's latest ruling suggests judges will find ways to avoid messy Hague Convention returns that Japan lacks the means to enforce anyway.
National Dec 28, 2017
Japanese ex-diplomat in Frankfurt fired over improper use of public funds
The Foreign Ministry dismissed a former consul general in Frankfurt on Wednesday after finding he wined and dined local corporate officials with taxpayers' money to secure a job for his son. Takeshi Kamiyama, 60, spent ¥760,000 ($6,700) on meals with the officials and to buy ...
National / Politics Dec 23, 2017
Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama to succeed Kenichiro Sasae as ambassador to United States
Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama will succeed Japan’s current Washington envoy, Kenichiro Sasae, as ambassador to the United States, according to government sources.