Latest Japan News
Japan says it will watch China's military activity after Beijing admits violating Japanese airspace
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese officials said Wednesday they are closely watching to see if China keeps its promise to prevent further violations of Japan's airspace after explaining that an incursion by a Chinese military aircraft nearly three months ago was unintentional and caused by turbulence. ...
Japan records a trade deficit in October for a 4th straight month, despite export recovery
TOKYO (AP) — Japan racked up a trade deficit in October for a fourth straight month as a weak yen and rising energy prices kept import costs high. The trade deficit, which amounts to a nation’s imports subtracted from its exports, totaled 461 billion yen ($3 billion) last month,...
Takeaways from the AP's investigation into Osprey safety issues
After being grounded for months following a crash last November that killed eight service members in Japan, the V-22 Osprey — a complicated aircraft that flies fast like a plane but converts to land like a helicopter — is back in the air. But there are still questions as to...
The Osprey's safety issues spiked over five years and caused deaths. Pilots still want to fly it
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) — Over a New Mexico training range named the Hornet, two Osprey aircraft speed 100 feet off the ground, banking hard over valleys and hills as they close in on a dusty landing zone. A flight engineer in the back braces a .50-caliber machine gun over...
An Australian on trial for drugs in Japan says she's the victim of a romance scam
CHIBA, Japan (AP) — An Australian accused of smuggling amphetamines in a suitcase appeared in a Japanese court on Monday nearly two years after her arrest, saying she is innocent and that she was tricked into carrying them as part of an online romance scam. Donna Nelson from Perth,...
Japan's economy grows for a second straight quarter on the back of consumer spending
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economy eked out an annual rate of 0.9% growth in the July-September period as consumer spending held up, government data showed Friday. The world’s fourth-largest economy grew 0.2% in the fiscal second quarter, marking the second straight quarter of...
Japan's sake brewers hope UNESCO heritage listing can boost rice wine's appeal
OME, Japan (AP) — Deep in a dark warehouse the sake sleeps, stored in rows of giant tanks, each holding more than 10,000 liters (2,640 gallons) of the Japanese rice wine that is the product of brewing techniques dating back more than 1,000 years. Junichiro Ozawa, the...
South Korean court finds former lawmaker guilty of misusing funds meant for sexual slavery victims
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday handed a suspended prison sentence to a former lawmaker who was found guilty of embezzling funds while leading a group supporting Korean survivors of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery. Yoon Meehyang, who was also...
Japan's nuclear watchdog disqualifies a reactor for the first time since Fukushima disaster
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's nuclear watchdog on Wednesday formally disqualified a reactor in the country's north-central region from restarting, the first rejection under safety standards that were reinforced after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The decision is a setback for Japan as it seeks to...
Struggling Australia and Saudi Arabia play a crucial Asian World Cup qualifier
Australia hosts Saudi Arabia in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Melbourne on Thursday while Japan and South Korea can take a big step towards North America in 2026 when the third round of Asian qualifying reaches the halfway stage. With only the top two teams from each of the three...
