Latest Japan News
Bank of Japan raises interest rate to about 0.5%, citing higher wages and inflation
TOKYO (AP) — The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25% Friday, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level. “The economy is gradually recovering,” BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda told reporters after a two-day policy board meeting in Tokyo. ...
Japan's leader says he's preparing for tough negotiations with Trump on maintaining US presence
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, struggling to stabilize his minority government, said Friday he will seek to maintain regional security and prepare for tough negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to win his commitment to maintain a strong American presence in the...
Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and former pop star in Japan, retires after sexual assault report
TOKYO (AP) — Masahiro Nakai, one of Japan’s top TV hosts and a former pop star, said Thursday he was retiring to take responsibility over sexual assault allegations that are part of a wave roiling Japan's entertainment industry and have triggered an avalanche of lost advertising at one of the...
Japan's exports hit record high, but trade deficit continues
TOKYO (AP) — Japan saw record-high exports last year, as its annual trade deficit declined 44% from the previous year, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday. The trade deficit, which measures the value of exports minus imports, totaled 5.3 trillion yen ($34 billion), according to...
Sunfish that got sick after aquarium closed has recovered — thanks to human cutouts
TOKYO (AP) — A solitary sunfish at an aquarium in southwestern Japan lost its appetite, began banging into the side of the fish tank and appeared unwell days after the facility closed last month for renovations. As a last-ditch measure to save the popular fish, its keepers hung their uniforms and...
1 person is killed and 2 injured in stabbing outside Nagano station in central Japan
TOKYO (AP) — One person died and two others were injured in a knife attack Wednesday night outside a train station in Nagano in central Japan, and police were looking for a suspect who fled, authorities said. Nagano police and fire department officials said a 49-year-old man was...
China and US partners are moving closer as Trump returns to the White House
BEIJING (AP) — China's relations are starting to improve with Japan, India and other countries that former U.S. President Joe Biden courted, just as Donald Trump brings his more unilateralist approach back to the White House. The change of leadership in Washington on Monday could...
China's population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its government and economy
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China's population fell last year for the third straight year, its government said Friday, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world's second most populous nation, which is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working age people. ...
Ichiro is about to get his Hall of Fame moment. For Japan, he's more than just a baseball star
TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki is all about baseball, but he's much more than that in Japan. Back home, he's a wellspring of national pride, much like Shohei Ohtani now. His triumphs across the Pacific buoyed the nation as Japan's economy sputtered through the so-called lost decades of...
RHP Elvin Rodríguez signs with Brewers after spending 2024 season in Japan
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers announced Friday the signing of Elvin Rodríguez to a one-year deal with a club option for 2026 after he pitched in Japan last season. The 26-year-old right-hander went 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA and one save in 32 games with the Tokyo Yakult...
