Latest Japan government News

A-bomb survivors use Nobel Peace Prize to share anti-nuke message with the young

Oct. 12, 2024 09:52 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — The recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize is a fast-dwindling group of atomic bomb survivors who are facing down the shrinking time they have left to convey the firsthand horror they witnessed 79 years ago. Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization of survivors...

Nobel prize for A-bomb survivors' group boosts hope for Japanese seeking a nuke-free world

Oct. 11, 2024 12:42 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — For many Japanese survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their relatives, Friday’s awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to a Japanese organization against nuclear weapons gives them hope for a new momentum to push for a nuclear-free world — starting from...

Today in History: October 11, Anita Hill testifies at Clarence Thomas hearings

Oct. 11, 2024 00:13 AM EDT

Today is Friday, Oct. 11, the 285th day of 2024. There are 81 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 11, 1991, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Anita Hill accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment; Thomas...

Japan's new PM dissolves the lower house of parliament to set up a snap election

Oct. 09, 2024 09:15 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolved the lower house of parliament Wednesday to set up an Oct. 27 snap election, asking people to trust the governing party's policies even as critics said the vote comes far too soon. Ishiba took office last week as...

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolves Japan's lower house to set up an Oct. 27 parliamentary election

Oct. 09, 2024 03:12 AM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolves Japan's lower house to set up an Oct. 27 parliamentary election.

Japan's new leader expresses regret for governing party slush fund scandal, vows stronger defense

Oct. 04, 2024 02:16 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened his first policy speech in office Friday by expressing deep regrets over the governing party's slush funds scandal that dogged his predecessor. Ishiba replaced Fumio Kishida on Tuesday with the paramount mission of...

An American bomb from WWII explodes at a Japanese airport, leaving a crater on the taxiway

Oct. 03, 2024 04:29 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — An unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II that had been buried at a Japanese airport exploded Wednesday, causing a large crater in a taxiway and the cancellation of more than 80 flights, Japanese officials said. No one was hurt, and there were no aircraft nearby when...

Japan's new government welcomes 'forward-looking' congratulatory message from China

Oct. 02, 2024 11:03 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's new government said Wednesday it hopes to improve ties with China after receiving a “forward-looking” congratulatory message from Beijing on the election of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ties between Japan and China have been strained by a territorial...

An anti-whaling activist will stay in detention in Greenland while Japan seeks extradition

Oct. 02, 2024 09:03 AM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A court in Greenland ruled Wednesday that anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson must remain in detention until Oct. 23 while Denmark’s Justice Ministry decides whether to approve his extradition to Japan. It was unclear when Denmark will decide whether...

Japan's Kojima, with its proud Jeans Street, draws fans of vintage, deep-blue denim

Oct. 02, 2024 00:51 AM EDT

KOJIMA, Japan (AP) — Denim, that All-American fabric, is all about being Japanese in the town of Kojima, where the main road is named Jeans Street, with real pairs of pants flapping like flags overhead. Some would call this spot in southwestern seaside Okayama Prefecture a mecca of...