Latest Japan government News

Japan to halt funding for a UN women's rights panel over call to end male-only imperial succession

Jan. 29, 2025 11:42 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Wednesday said it will freeze voluntary funding for a United Nations’ women’s rights panel that called for an end to the country's male-only imperial succession rule. The unusual step comes in response to a report published in October by the Committee on...

Japan's leader says he's preparing for tough negotiations with Trump on maintaining US presence

Jan. 24, 2025 01:47 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, struggling to stabilize his minority government, said Friday he will seek to maintain regional security and prepare for tough negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to win his commitment to maintain a strong American presence in the...

Japan's exports hit record high, but trade deficit continues

Jan. 23, 2025 00:16 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japan saw record-high exports last year, as its annual trade deficit declined 44% from the previous year, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday. The trade deficit, which measures the value of exports minus imports, totaled 5.3 trillion yen ($34 billion), according to...

China and US partners are moving closer as Trump returns to the White House

Jan. 22, 2025 04:26 AM EST

BEIJING (AP) — China's relations are starting to improve with Japan, India and other countries that former U.S. President Joe Biden courted, just as Donald Trump brings his more unilateralist approach back to the White House. The change of leadership in Washington on Monday could...

China's population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its government and economy

Jan. 20, 2025 23:48 PM EST

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China's population fell last year for the third straight year, its government said Friday, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world's second most populous nation, which is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working age people. ...

Trump temporarily halts leasing and permitting for wind energy projects

Jan. 20, 2025 22:22 PM EST

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects. The interior secretary will review wind leasing and permitting...

Rubio will meet with peers from India, Japan, Australia after expected confirmation, officials say

Jan. 19, 2025 18:00 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration would begin formal international engagements this week when Marco Rubio — expected to be confirmed soon as secretary of state — meets with the foreign ministers of India, Japan and Australia, U.S. officials say. The so-called Quad...

Japanese TV network to open independent probe into alleged sexual misconduct by celebrity host

Jan. 17, 2025 07:53 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — The head of Japan's Fuji Television network announced plans on Friday for an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against one of the country's top celebrities and company officials' suspected involvement. Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the...

Japan launches independent mission to NATO as tensions with Russia, China and North Korea rise

Jan. 16, 2025 06:06 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japan on Thursday formally inaugurated an independent mission to the NATO military alliance as Tokyo and NATO seek to bolster cooperation amid escalating tension from Russia, China and North Korea. Previously, the Japanese embassy in Belgium also covered NATO. The new...

Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC posts 57% surge in profit thanks to the AI boom

Jan. 16, 2025 05:50 AM EST

HONG KONG (AP) — Taiwan computer chip maker TSMC reported Thursday that its profit in the last quarter rose 57%, buoyed by the artificial intelligence boom. The world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer reported a net profit of 374.7 billion new Taiwan dollars ($11.4 billion),...