Latest Japan News

A strong earthquake in Japan leaves 9 people with minor injuries. But there was no tsunami danger

Apr. 18, 2024 06:00 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A strong earthquake that struck southwestern Japan left nine people with minor injuries and caused damage such as burst water pipes and small landslides, authorities said Thursday. But there was no danger of a tsunami. The magnitude 6.6 temblor late Wednesday was...

US envoy to the UN vows support for families of Japanese who were abducted and taken to North Korea

Apr. 18, 2024 04:17 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — The United States ambassador to the United Nations said Thursday that America will stand with Japan until all the Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago return home to end their painful separation. Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the comments on Thursday as she...

Editorial Roundup: United States

Apr. 16, 2024 19:13 PM EDT

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: April 12 The New York Times on aid to Israel The suffering of civilians in Gaza — tens of thousands dead, many of them children; hundreds of thousands homeless, many at risk of starvation...

The US ambassador to Japan says boosting arms industry ties is key to a stronger security alliance

Apr. 16, 2024 10:53 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Japan urged Tokyo on Tuesday to take a greater role in developing, producing and supplying weapons “to enhance our collective security" amid conflict in Ukraine, Gaza and elsewhere. The United States alone can no longer supply all democracies,...

Nissan says it will make next-generation EV batteries by early 2029

Apr. 16, 2024 03:40 AM EDT

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Nissan expects to mass produce electric vehicles powered by advanced next-generation batteries by early 2029, the company said Tuesday during a media tour of an unfinished pilot plant. Japan's legacy automakers have fallen behind newer rivals like America's...

Operator of Japan's wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant prepares to restart another plant

Apr. 15, 2024 09:18 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — The operator of the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant said on Monday that it has obtained permission from safety regulators to start loading atomic fuel into a reactor at its only operable plant in north-central Japan, which it is keen to restart for the first...

Varsho hits 2nd career slam, Rodríguez fans 6 in debut as Blue Jays beat Rockies 5-3

Apr. 13, 2024 18:47 PM EDT

TORONTO (AP) — Daulton Varsho hit his second career grand slam, Yariel Rodríguez struck out six over 3 2/3 innings in his major league debut and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Saturday. Rodríguez allowed one run, four hits and two walks. The right-hander...

North Carolina welcomes a historic visitor in Japan's Prime Minister Kishida

Apr. 12, 2024 19:19 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cemented economic links and cultural amity with North Carolina on Friday, following up time in Washington during his official U.S. visit by checking up on benchmark Japanese companies building in the ninth-most populous state and meeting...

US Steel shareholders approve takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel opposed by Biden administration

Apr. 12, 2024 18:17 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — U.S. Steel shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the company's sale to Nippon Steel of Japan for $14.1 billion in cash, voicing unequivocal support for a combination that has drawn opposition from the Biden administration on economic and national security grounds. ...

Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu pick up victories in the Billie Jean King Cup

Apr. 12, 2024 15:42 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) — Grand Slam title winners Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu all earned victories for their countries in Billie Jean King Cup qualifying Friday. Osaka hit 15 aces and put Japan a step away from reaching the BJK Cup Finals with a 6-2, 7-6 (5) win over...