Latest Japan government News

Today in History: January 2, Armed militia occupies Malheur refuge in Oregon

Jan. 02, 2025 00:03 AM EST

Today is Thursday, Jan. 2, the second day of 2025. There are 363 days left in the year. Today in history: On Jan. 2, 2016, a heavily armed group led by brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, beginning a 41-day standoff to...

Trump calls it the 'center of the universe.' Mar-a-Lago is a magnet for those seeking influence

Dec. 31, 2024 22:42 PM EST

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The cars begin lining up early in the morning to be screened by Secret Service agents under white tents near the fence that surrounds President-elect Donald Trump’s vast south Florida estate. Famous figures such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Canadian Prime...

Lessons from the elections held in 70 countries in 2024

Dec. 30, 2024 07:53 AM EST

LONDON (AP) — When voters around the globe had their say in 2024, their message was often: “You’re fired.” Some 70 countries that are home to half the world’s population held elections this year, and in many incumbents were punished. From India and the United States to...

What we know about the deadly passenger jet crash in South Korea

Dec. 29, 2024 11:35 AM EST

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A passenger jet burst into flames while landing at an airport in South Korea on Sunday, killing 179 people in one of the deadliest air disasters in that nation's history. There were only two survivors, officials said. Video showed the plane skidding across...

Japan Cabinet OKs record defense budget as it pushes strike-back capability to deter regional threat

Dec. 26, 2024 22:37 PM EST

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese Cabinet on Friday approved a record 8.7 trillion yen ($55 billion) defense budget for 2025 as Japan accelerates building up its strike-back capability with long-range cruise missiles and starts deploying Tomahawks to fortify itself against growing threats from China,...

China and Japan agree to talks on security issues as they seek to mend ties

Dec. 25, 2024 09:50 AM EST

BEIJING (AP) — China and Japan agreed Wednesday to set up talks on often contentious security issues as they seek to improve a relationship riven in recent years by a range of issues, from territorial disputes to the discharge of water from Japan's tsunami-wrecked nuclear power plant. ...

Japanese premier says stronger alliance with US is key to regional stability, seeks to meet Trump

Dec. 24, 2024 07:55 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday strengthening his country's alliance with the United States is key to regional security and expressed his desire to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. This comes amid worries about China’s increasingly...

Japan's former Emperor Akihito marks his 91st birthday

Dec. 23, 2024 02:10 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's beloved former Emperor Akihito marked his 91st birthday on Monday, as he continues to pursue his lifetime research into goby fish, care for his wife and pray for peace. Akihito, who abdicated in 2019 and handed over the Chrysanthemum throne to his son, Emperor...

Today in History: December 23, Franco Harris makes the ‘Immaculate Reception’

Dec. 23, 2024 00:01 AM EST

Today is Monday, Dec. 23, the 358th day of 2024. There are eight days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 23, 1972, in an NFL playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, Steelers running back Franco Harris scored a game-winning...

Japanese newspaper boss who influenced the nation's postwar politics died at 98

Dec. 19, 2024 00:20 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Tsuneo Watanabe, the powerful head of Japan's largest newspaper who had close ties with the country's powerful conservative leaders, has died, his company said Thursday. He was 98. Watanabe, the editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun for over 30 years, died of...