Politics
Japan confirms China set up buoy over its southern continental shelf
The Japanese government said Friday it has confirmed China has installed a buoy in the high seas over Japan's southern continental shelf in the Pacific Ocean, in a move that could further strain bilateral relations. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news conference it was "regrettable" that China has… Read
Suggestive poses and pets in election campaigning tests Tokyo's patience
Tokyo elects a new governor this weekend, but residents say personal publicity stunts have overtaken serious campaigning to a degree never seen before, with nearly nude women in suggestive poses, pets, an AI character and a man practicing his golf swing. It's impossible to ignore. With internet campaigning still relatively… Read
Japan, Philippines defense pact negotiations nearing conclusion, ambassador says
Negotiations between Japan and the Philippines for a Reciprocal Access Agreement on defence and security are close to conclusion, Tokyo's ambassador to Manila said on Thursday. The role of the Philippines in maintaining regional stability and security was undoubtedly important, ambassador Kazuya Endo said in a speech. A significant development… Read
Philippines hopes to sign key defence pact with Japan
The Philippines' military chief said Thursday he hoped a key defence pact with Japan allowing for the deployment of troops on each other's territory will be signed at security talks next week. Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are set to meet their Philippine counterparts in… Read
Taiwan legislative speaker seeks strong ties with Japan
Taiwan Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu on Wednesday called for stronger relations between the island and Japan during his meeting with a group of Japanese parliamentarians in Taipei, emphasizing that lawmakers on both sides have the "responsibility" to maintain exchanges. In his talks with an eight-member delegation of Japanese House of… Read
N Korea criticizes S Korea, U.S. and Japan ties as Asian version of NATO
North Korea criticized a joint military exercise by South Korea, Japan and the United States held this month, state media said on Sunday, saying such drills show the relationship among three countries has developed into "the Asian version of NATO". On Thursday, the three countries began large-scale joint military drills… Read
Australian diplomat says adding AUKUS partners like Japan complicated
Adding partners to the AUKUS defense project would be "complicated," a senior Australian diplomat said on Friday, saying he did not believe the U.S. Congress is open to expanding the pact involving Australia, the U.S. and Britain. AUKUS was formed in 2021 to counterbalance China's growing power. A first "pillar"… Read
As North Korean and Chinese threats rise, U.S. looks to lock in defense partnerships with Asian allies
The United States wrapped up its first multidomain exercise with Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea on Saturday, a step forward in Washington's efforts to strengthen and lock in its security partnerships with key Asian allies in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China.… Read
Trump will encourage Japan-S Korea relations, his advisers tell foreign officials
Donald Trump's allies are assuring officials in Japan and South Korea that the Republican presidential candidate will support a Biden-era effort to deepen three-way ties aimed at countering China and North Korea, five people familiar with the conversations said. In conversations over the past weeks, policy advisers with Trump's ear… Read
Philippines, Japan foreign and defense ministers to meet July 8 in Manila
Japan and the Philippines' foreign and defense ministers will meet in Manila next month for talks that could include a breakthrough defense pact that would allow their military forces to visit each other's soil. Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara will meet their Philippine counterparts on… Read
