Latest Japan News

Lawyer for American charged in Japan's trial of ex-Nissan exec Ghosn appeals for 'justice'

Sep. 19, 2024 04:24 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — The six-year-old criminal case of Greg Kelly, an American ensnared in the scandal of Nissan’s former boss Carlos Ghosn, turned a page in a Japanese court Thursday, with his lawyer demanding “justice” with a verdict of total innocence. Kelly, a former Nissan...

Air Force to deploy Osprey aircraft in weeks following review over deadly crash

Sep. 18, 2024 14:53 PM EDT

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AP) — Air Force Special Operations Command is weeks away from deploying its fleet of CV-22B Osprey aircraft for counter terror operations after grounding its crews in the wake of a fatal crash last November in Japan, its top commander said Wednesday. In the...

Chinese aircraft carrier comes closer than ever to Japan

Sep. 18, 2024 07:54 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A Chinese aircraft carrier entered an area near Japan’s shores for the first time on Wednesday, leading Tokyo to convey its “serious concerns” to Beijing over China’s increasingly assertive military actions around Japan, officials said. The Chinese carrier...

North Korea test-fired ballistic missiles in latest military display, neighbors say

Sep. 18, 2024 07:20 AM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Wednesday test-fired multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern seas, the South Korean and Japanese militaries said, adding to its military demonstrations as tensions with Washington and neighbors escalate. The launches come days after...

Japan's trade deficit grows while both imports, exports fall short of forecasts

Sep. 18, 2024 01:00 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan posted a trade deficit for a second straight month in August, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday, despite signs of sluggish consumer spending that weighed on imports. Japan’s trade deficit totaled 695 billion yen, or $4.9 billion, down 26% from a year earlier,...

Japan’s defense ministry says North Korea has test-fired a ballistic missile

Sep. 17, 2024 18:44 PM EDT
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Japan’s defense ministry says North Korea has test-fired a ballistic missile.

Dedicated artists are keeping Japan's ancient craft of temari alive

Sep. 17, 2024 02:45 AM EDT

KAWARAMACHI, Japan (AP) — Time seems to stop here. Women sit in a small circle, quietly, painstakingly stitching patterns on balls the size of an orange, a stitch at a time. At the center of the circle is Eiko Araki, a master of the Sanuki Kagari Temari, a Japanese...

Japan celebrates record Emmy wins for 'Shogun'

Sep. 16, 2024 21:05 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan erupted with joy Monday as the samurai series “Shogun” won a record 18 Emmys for its first season. It took home prizes including Outstanding Drama Series, as star and co-producer Hiroyuki Sanada became the first Japanese actor to win the Emmy for best lead...

'Shogun' and 'Hacks' win top series Emmy Awards and 'The Bear' and 'Baby Reindeer' take 4 apiece

Sep. 16, 2024 01:05 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Shogun” had historic wins in an epic 18-Emmy first season, “Hacks” scored an upset for best comedy on what was still a four-trophy night for “The Bear,” and “Baby Reindeer” had a holiday at an Emmy Awards that had some surprising swerves. ...

The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expert

Sep. 12, 2024 23:34 PM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. A record nine...