Latest Fumio Kishida News

As North Korean and Chinese threats rise, US looks to lock in defense partnerships with Asian allies

Jun. 29, 2024 01:25 AM EDT

GIMHAE AIR BASE, South Korea (AP) — 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...

Japan and Philippines trying to finish defense pact for signing in Manila as alarm grows over China

Jun. 28, 2024 01:23 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Top defense and foreign affairs officials of Japan and the Philippines will meet in Manila next month to strengthen strategic ties and discuss regional concerns, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday at a time of escalating concerns over China’s...

Japanese government panel proposes air traffic control measures to boost safety after Haneda crash

Jun. 24, 2024 12:16 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese transport ministry panel on Monday proposed a number of air traffic control measures to boost safety, more than six months after a fatal collision between a Japan Airlines jetliner and a coast guard plane at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. The panel recommended...

Japan, New Zealand agree on intel sharing pact amid growing regional security concerns

Jun. 19, 2024 13:04 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and New Zealand agreed Wednesday in principle on an intelligence sharing pact as their leaders shared concerns over the increasingly challenging security environment in the region, including closer ties between Russia and North Korea. In a joint statement, Prime...

Will Japanese women be able to keep their maiden names after marriage? Major lobby demands change

Jun. 12, 2024 02:22 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful Japanese business lobby is calling on the government to allow married couples to keep dual surnames, saying the lack of freedom to do so hinders women’s advancement and has even become a business risk. In Japan, each wedded pair has to legally adopt one...

US envoy calls for Japan's help to quickly replenish US missile inventory, repair warships

Jun. 11, 2024 01:42 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — The United States needs Japan's help to quickly replenish missile inventory and repair warships as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine continue and Washington seeks to keep its deterrence credible in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. ambassador to Japan said. "It is...

AP Week in Pictures: Asia

May. 30, 2024 23:22 PM EDT

May 24-30, 2024 A Japanese town that erected a huge black mesh net last week to stop tourists from snapping photos of Mount Fuji discovered holes in the screen. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang for the...

North Korea fires missile barrage toward its eastern waters days after failed satellite launch

May. 29, 2024 23:43 PM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday fired a barrage of suspected ballistic missiles toward its eastern sea, according to South Korea’s military, days after its attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite ended in failure but still drew strong condemnation from its...

North Korea plans to launch a rocket soon, likely carrying its second military spy satellite

May. 27, 2024 06:29 AM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea announced plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second military spy satellite during an eight-day period starting Monday, drawing quick, strong rebukes from neighbors South Korea and Japan. The notification of the planned launch,...

China premier agrees on cooperation with Seoul, Tokyo but issues veiled rebuke against their US ties

May. 27, 2024 05:07 AM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — China’s premier agreed Monday to revive three-way cooperation with South Korea and Japan in the face of shared challenges, but issued a veiled rebuke against the two countries’ expanding security cooperation with the United States. Chinese Premier Li...