National Jun 30, 2018
As squid season peaks, Japanese fishermen fear confrontation with North Korean boats
Fishing crews are growing more concerned about the shadowy North Korean boats because they are getting close enough to see their crews’ faces.
NEWSWORTHY
National Nov 28, 2017
Missing boat that brought North Korean fishermen to Akita coast found on seabed
A wooden fishing boat that disappeared after washing ashore in Akita Prefecture last week with eight North Korean men aboard has been found on the seabed, Japanese authorities said Tuesday. The sunken boat was detected by sonar equipment about 40 meters from the area where ...
National Nov 27, 2017
Eight bodies found as second suspected North Korean boat washes up in Akita Prefecture
by Reiji Yoshida and Tomohiro Osaki
Eight bodies were discovered in a wooden 7-meter boat that washed ashore in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast facing North Korea, the Japan Coast Guard said Monday. A cigarette pack bearing Hangul characters has been discovered from the boat, which suggests ...
National Nov 25, 2017
North Korean boat that brought eight fishermen to Akita vanishes
A fishing boat that washed ashore in Akita Prefecture late Thursday with eight North Korean men has disappeared at the port where it was moored, police said Saturday. On Friday, the men were taken into custody at a police station in Yurihonjo after residents discovered ...
National Oct 27, 2017
Wreck of salvaged MSDF chopper off Aomori yields two bodies; search for fourth sailor continues
Two bodies have been found in the wreckage of a Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter that was raised from the seabed after crashing off northeastern Japan in August, the Maritime Self-Defense Force said Friday. The MSDF confirmed the deaths of Lt. Cmdr. Yuki Sato, 36, and ...
National / Politics Aug 11, 2017
China air force chief rips defense white paper, says 'Sea of Japan is not Japan's'
by Jesse Johnson
The head of China's air force has blasted a Japanese Defense Ministry white paper critical of Chinese military drills in and over waters near Japan, saying "the Sea of Japan is not Japan's sea." At a military event Thursday in the city of Changchun, People's ...
National Apr 17, 2017
Japanese and South Korean squid fishermen to urge their governments to curb illegal catches
Squid-fishing associations from Japan and South Korea plan to work together to urge their governments to work harder at countering illegal fishing by Chinese and North Korean ships in the Sea of Japan, according to the Japanese group. The Japan Squid Fisheries Association said Monday ...
National Mar 6, 2017
Abe says latest North Korean missile launch represents 'new level of threat'
by Ayako Mie and Jesse Johnson
North Korea demonstrated its growing military capabilities with the launch of four ballistic missiles Monday, three of which fell into the Sea of Japan, in what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe characterized as "a new level of threat." Officials said the North fired the barrage at ...
National / Politics Oct 11, 2016
Abe considering collecting North Korean missile debris in Japan's exclusive economic zone
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his government is "seriously considering" collecting the debris of North Korean ballistic missiles that have fallen in waters near Japan.
Asia Pacific Aug 20, 2016
China holds 'confrontation' drills in Sea of Japan
by Jesse Johnson
China's navy has conducted what it called "confrontation" exercises in the Sea of Japan, part of routine annual drills, state media said Friday. The drills, which took place Thursday, come as China seeks to create a navy capable of force projection greater distances away from ...
National Oct 30, 2015
USS Reagan sends F/A 18s to intercept, ward off approaching Russian bombers in Sea of Japan
The White House says the U.S. military scrambled fighter jets earlier this week to escort Russian bombers that flew near the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the Ronald Reagan was conducting a military exercise with South Korea in international ...