National / Politics Aug 17, 2017

Japan plans installation of land-based Aegis missile defense system amid North Korea threats

The Defense Ministry will deploy new land-based Aegis Ashore system in response to North Korean missile threats.

National / Politics Aug 11, 2017

Patriot interceptor batteries to be deployed pronto in western Japan

The Defense Ministry decides to deploy PAC-3 interceptor batteries to western Japan in case North Korea carries out its plan to fire warning missiles at Guam.

National / Politics Aug 10, 2017

North makes detailed threat to fire missiles near Guam as Tokyo condemns provocation

by Reiji Yoshida and Jesse Johnson

In an unprecedented announcement, North Korea said it is developing a plan to test-fire four intermediate ballistic missiles into the sea near Guam by mid-August.

National / Politics Jul 7, 2017

Abe and Moon hold first talks in Hamburg, agree to resume reciprocal visits

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in meet for the first time on the sidelines of the G-20 summit and focus on future-oriented ties.

National Jun 23, 2017

Japan begins running public service announcements on missile attacks

The government began broadcasting a public service announcement Friday suggesting how civilians should protect themselves in the event of a missile attack. The 30-second broadcast, which will be aired by 43 main and local television stations across the country through July 6, says the public ...

National | VIEW FROM OSAKA Jun 17, 2017

Kansai takes measured view on missile drills

by Eric Johnston

Over the past two months, hardly a week has passed without news of another North Korean missile launch. It's become routine: An early morning South Korean media report, based on government sources, says that "an object has been launched," forcing politicians, bureaucrats, and journalists ...

National / Politics May 31, 2017

Abe hammers home view that Chinese cooperation needed to tackle North Korea nuclear issue

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday sought China's cooperation in addressing North Korean provocations during his meeting with Beijing's top diplomat. "To solve the problem of North Korea peacefully and diplomatically, Japan wants to cooperate with China, which has a great influence (on Pyongyang)," Abe ...

National / Politics May 23, 2017

Top SDF officer warns North Korea close to mastering technology for hitting Japan with nukes

by Reiji Yoshida

Given enough time, North Korea will likely succeed in developing a nuclear warhead small enough to be mounted on a ballistic missile capable of directly striking Japan, the Self-Defense Forces' highest-ranking officer warned Tuesday. Facing reporters at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, ...

National | VIEW FROM OSAKA May 20, 2017

For better relations, Tokyo should use Korean residents to open diplomatic channels with new South Korean government

by Eric Johnston

Since the beginning of the year, Japan's official relations with the Korean Peninsula have gone from bad to worse. Not a day goes by without a report about North Korea's latest provocation. Journalists, politicians, and pundits deliberate — one might say "geek out" — ...

Asia Pacific Apr 18, 2017

Was recent failed North Korean missile launch of a new anti-ship system?

ashington The latest North Korean missile launch may have been of a new and hitherto unknown system being developed by Kim Jong Un's regime, a weapons expert said Monday. The Pentagon has not discussed which missile blew up "almost immediately" after launch early Sunday from near ...

World / Politics Apr 17, 2017

Pence warns North Korea of U.S. resolve shown in Syria, Afghan strikes

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence put North Korea on notice Monday, saying neither the United States nor South Korea would tolerate further missile and nuclear tests, with U.S. attacks in Syria and Afghanistan showing its resolve. Pence and South Korean Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn, speaking ...