Latest Japan government News
Japan's emperor says he looks forward to deepening ties with Britain's royals during UK visit
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito said Wednesday he is “delighted” to finally be able to visit Britain after the trip was delayed by several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he looks forward to rekindling his friendship with the British royal family and exploring Oxford, where...
Japan, New Zealand agree on intel sharing pact amid growing regional security concerns
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...
Japan's exports surge 13.5% in May, helped by cheap yen and strong demand in US, Asian markets
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's exports surged 13.5% in May, faster than expected growth helped by a weak yen and strong demand in the U.S. and Asia. Finance Ministry data reported Wednesday showed that the trade deficit totaled 1.22 trillion yen ($7.7 billion), down nearly 12% from 1.38...
Japan has no plans to seek a suspension of Osprey flights despite restrictions in US
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's defense chief said Friday that Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys are being safely operated in his country, and that he has no plans to request a flight suspension despite restrictions in the U.S. where ongoing safety and performance assessments will continue until next year....
Ospreys face flight restrictions through 2025 due to crashes, military tells Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — The military’s hundreds of V-22 Ospreys will not be permitted to fly their full range of missions until at least 2025 as the Pentagon addresses safety concerns in the fleet, the head of the program told lawmakers at a hearing Wednesday. Vice Adm. Carl Chebi,...
North Korea's Kim hails Russia ties as Putin reportedly plans a visit
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed the country’s expanding relationship with Russia on Wednesday, as reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon visit the country for his third meeting with Kim. Military, economic and other...
Will Japanese women be able to keep their maiden names after marriage? Major lobby demands change
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
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...
Bureau of Land Management shrinks proposed size of controversial Idaho wind farm project
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The federal Bureau of Land Management’s preferred alternative for a proposed large-scale wind energy farm in southern Idaho would shrink its size by nearly half and move it farther from a national historic site. The proposed Lava Ridge wind farm has...
Japan's economy is shrinking, although slightly less than previously thought
TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese economy shrank at an annual rate of 1.8% in the first quarter of this year, slightly better than the initial estimate at a 2.0% contraction, according to revised government data Monday. The revision was due to private sector investments, at minus 0.4%, up...
