National May 3, 2021
Suga sees little progress on North Korea abductions and Russian-held islands
Speaking to a House of Councilors lawmaker on Wednesday, the prime minister said that he first needed to focus on getting the pandemic under control.
Commentary / Japan Feb 18, 2021
Why Japan’s territorial disputes are so hard to resolve
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
Next week, Shimane Prefecture will celebrate the relatively young Takeshima Day, which will invariably invite protest from the South Korean government.
National Feb 15, 2021
Putin signals Russia will not negotiate with Japan over territorial dispute
It was the first time the Russian leader publicly indicated he will not respond to Tokyo's claims on four Russian-held islands, based on new constitutional amendments.
National Jan 27, 2021
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged Moscow on Tuesday to release Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and peaceful protestors from detention, joining the United States and the European Union in expressing concerns over the crackdown. "The Japanese government is closely watching (the situation) with concern. We ...
National Dec 2, 2020
Russia deploys advanced S-300 missiles on disputed islands off Japan
Moscow said in October it planned to deploy the missile system on the islands for the first time, but that the move would be part of military drills and not for combat duty.
National Oct 21, 2020
Former residents offer prayers from the air off Russian-held islets
According to the government of Hokkaido, a total of some 130 former residents will take the five flights to pray for ancestors who were buried on the islands.
History | THE LIVING PAST Oct 17, 2020
Japan and Russia: The chivalrous war erupts
by Michael Hoffman
A key figure in the Russo-Japanese War, Gen. Maresuke Nogi was both a soldier and a poet.
National Oct 16, 2020
The visit, the first by a Russian government official since Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took office, is expected to draw backlash from Tokyo.
National Oct 3, 2020
Russian chopper briefly enters Japanese airspace, prompting ASDF to scramble fighters
A Russian helicopter entered Japanese airspace off Hokkaido on Friday, prompting the scrambling of Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets, the Defense Ministry said. The Mi8 helicopter invaded the nation's airspace near Cape Shiretoko in eastern Hokkaido at around 12:25 p.m. and the ASDF fighters warned ...
National Sep 29, 2020
Japan eager to settle territorial row with Russia, Suga tells Putin
Hours before the talks between the leaders, Russia announced the start of military exercises on two of the islands involving more than 1,500 personnel.
National Sep 27, 2020
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Russian President Vladimir Putin are planning to hold their first talks on Tuesday, a Japanese government source said Saturday. During the phone talks, the two leaders are expected to reaffirm their countries' commitment to economic cooperation and continuing bilateral negotiations ...
History | THE LIVING PAST Sep 19, 2020
Japan and Russia: Sharing a view of the West
by Michael Hoffman
There are striking affinities between Japan and Russia, noticeable even before either country was fully aware of the other. Both were backward by 19th-century European standards — economically, industrially, scientifically. Both felt it keenly, and responded similarly. Two clashing factions arose in each country — ...