Tag - islands

 
 

ISLANDS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the remarks during an interview by the state-controlled Channel One television network.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
Territorial disputes with Japan 'over,' Russia's top diplomat says
The remarks could suggest that Moscow will never discuss with Tokyo the issue of sovereignty over Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim applaud as Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa poses with her Malaysian counterpart, Mohamad Hasan, after a signing ceremony in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2023
Japan and Malaysia sign ¥400 million maritime security aid deal
Jakarta became the third country to receive the grant under Japan's new official security assistance program.
A China Coast Guard vessel uses a water cannon against a Philippine supply boat as it carries out a mission to deliver provisions to the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 11, 2023
Manila summons Chinese envoy after tense weekend in South China Sea
The moves came after the Philippines said one of its vessels was rammed and others "directly targeted” by a China Coast Guard ship with a water cannon.
A China Coast Guard vessel fires a water cannon at a Philippine supply boat during a mission to deliver provisions to the Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Sunday.
SOCCER
Dec 10, 2023
Philippines and China trade blame for collision in disputed waters
The maritime incident with China happened during a Philippine resupply mission to a tiny garrison on Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
The Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 10, 2023
China 'not fearful' of war over Senkakus, senior military officer says
A former vice president of the PLA's Academy of Military Sciences indicated the possibility that China will target the Senkakus if it invades Taiwan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during an event in Pyongyang. Smuggling efforts could be directly linked to the North's military ambitions, analysts have said.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 8, 2023
North Korean smugglers disguised under Pacific island flags
With strict sanctions limiting Pyongyang's ability to import fuel, smugglers have adopted increasingly creative methods.
The USS Gabrielle Giffords sails in the Pacific Ocean in September 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 4, 2023
China says U.S. Navy ship ‘seriously violated’ its sovereignty
The move in disputed waters of the South China Sea underscored lingering military tensions between the nations.
Chinese vessels gather near Whitsun Reef in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday. The Philippines said Sunday that more than 135 Chinese "maritime militia" vessels were "swarming" the reef.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 3, 2023
Philippines says Chinese boats 'swarming' reef in South China Sea
Manila said that more than 135 Chinese “maritime militia” ships were “swarming” a reef that it claims sovereignty over in the disputed waterway.
A Reeves' muntjac at the Tokyo Metropolitan Oshima Zoo Park on Oct. 3
JAPAN
Nov 30, 2023
'Barking deer' in Japan causing havoc for human population
Damage to crops and the ecosystem has been substantial, and the local governments concerned are striving to ultimately eradicate the species.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel patrol the South China Sea
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 29, 2023
Philippines allows civilian vessels and plans more joint sea patrols
Officials say many countries have expressed an interest in joining the Southeast Asian nation in patrolling contested waters.
An Australian F-35A fighter jet takes part in a joint exercise between Australian and Philippine troops at a naval base in Zambales province, Philippines, in August.
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 26, 2023
Chinese fighter jets 'orbit' Philippine patrol aircraft, Manila says
The Philippine and Australian militaries carried out a second day of sea and air exercises in the Southeast Asian country's exclusive economic zone.
The Royal Australian Navy vessel the Toowoomba is docked at Changi Naval Base  during IMDEX Asia 2023, a maritime defense exhibition in Singapore, in May.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 25, 2023
Philippines, Australia start sea and air patrols in South China Sea
The move comes after Manila took similar steps with the U.S. as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit in San Francisco on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 20, 2023
Beyond security: U.S. pulls Manila closer via economic cooperation
Despite mounting tensions in the South China Sea, Marcos said a “major step” in enhancing bilateral relations was a landmark nuclear deal with the U.S.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrives for the leaders and spouses dinner during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 18, 2023
Philippines' Marcos meets China's Xi amid South China Sea tensions
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, seeking ways to come up with mechanisms to lower tensions.
Members of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment attend a ceremony at Camp Hansen in Okinawa Prefecture on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 16, 2023
U.S. Marines forms coastal unit in Okinawa for island defense
The existing 12th Marine Regiment based in Okinawa Prefecture was reorganized to form the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment from Wednesday.
A member of the team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)  checks fish samples at Hisanohama Port in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, on Oct. 19.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 11, 2023
Pacific island nations express concern over Fukushima water release
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown noted "the significance of potential threats of contamination to the health and security of the blue Pacific."
Plumes of smoke rise from a new isle after a recent volcano on Iwo Jima on Nov. 3.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 7, 2023
New isle emerges after underwater volcano erupts south of Tokyo
A recent undersea volcanic eruption has led to the formation of a new isle off the coast of Iwo Jima, about 1,200 kilometers south of Tokyo.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida waves with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim during his official visit to Malaysia, in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 5, 2023
Japan turns to Southeast Asia to boost security network
The leader sought to strengthen Japan's security and defense ties with Malaysia and the Philippines, amid growing concerns over Chinese assertiveness.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the first Japanese leader to address a special joint session of the Philippine Congress, waves beside Philippines' Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Philippines' House Speaker Martin Romualdez at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Philippines, on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 4, 2023
Japan and Philippines agree to take defense ties to next level
Tokyo and Manila launched talks on a visiting forces agreement, while the Philippines became the first recipient of Japan's new military aid program.
A Philippine supply boat sails near a China Coast Guard ship during a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea on Oct. 4.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 4, 2023
U.S. and China hold talks on South China Sea and maritime issues
The U.S. said it had underscored its concerns about "dangerous and unlawful" Chinese actions in the contested South China Sea.

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Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces