Japan plans automated cargo transport system to relieve shortage of drivers and cut emissions

TOKYO (AP) — Japan is planning to build an automated cargo transport corridor between Tokyo and Osaka, dubbed a “conveyor belt road” by the government, to make up for a shortage of truck drivers. The amount of funding for the project is not yet set. But it's seen as one key...

Japan and EU announce a security and defense partnership as regional tensions rise

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and the European Union announced a security and defense partnership on Friday as they seek to step up military ties, including joint exercises and exchanges between their defense industries, amid growing tensions with China, North Korea and Russia. It is the...

A second high court rules that Japan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

TOKYO (AP) — A second Japanese high court ruled Wednesday that the government's policy against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the latest in a series of decisions upholding plaintiffs' demands for marriage equality. The Tokyo High Court called the ongoing ban “a...

What does a shocking parliamentary loss for Japan's long-ruling party mean?

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling party and its junior partner lost their majority in Sunday’s parliamentary election. The loss, much bigger than expected, is bad news for a leader who's only been in power for a month. It's largely a reflection of...

Stock market today: Wall Street climbs ahead of a big week for Big Tech as oil drops 6%

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks closed broadly higher Monday as gains by some Big Tech companies helped offset a skid in oil-and-gas stocks after the price of crude had its biggest drop in more than a year. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The main measure of the U.S. stock market was coming...

Japan's ruling coalition loses a majority in the lower house, creating political uncertainty

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’ s ruling coalition lost a majority in the 465-seat lower house in a key parliamentary election Sunday, a punishment by voters' outrage over the governing party’s extensive financial scandals. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party...

Japanese premier Ishiba's ruling coalition is certain to lose a majority in parliamentary vote, NHK public TV says

Japan's ruling party may struggle in Sunday's vote, but its decades of dominance won't end

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ’s ruling party, dogged by corruption scandals and plunging support, faces its toughest challenge in more than a decade in Sunday’s parliamentary election. This could set up a very short-lived time in office for Ishiba, who...

An anti-whaling activist will stay in detention in Greenland

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A court in Greenland on Wednesday once again decided to extend the custody of anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson till Nov. 13 while Denmark considers a Japanese extradition request. It was unclear when Denmark will decide whether or not to send him to...

Japan, UK and Italy to expedite next-generation fighter jet to replace F-2s and Eurofighter Typhoons

TOKYO (AP) — The defense ministers of Japan, the U.K. and Italy agreed to accelerate the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet, and announced that a trilateral government organization would be established by the end of this year to work with the parties producing the aircraft,...