Latest Japan News

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 atomic bomb survivors say Nobel Peace Prize gives fresh impetus to disarmament push

Dec. 24, 2024 10:16 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki said receiving a Nobel Peace Prize has given them a fresh incentive to campaign for nuclear disarmament ahead of the 80th anniversary of the 1945 attacks. “I felt like I needed to work even harder on...

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...

Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus

Dec. 24, 2024 00:24 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel on Monday failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel, leaving the decision to President Joe Biden, who opposes the deal. The...

Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of record

Dec. 23, 2024 18:09 PM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company. The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods...

Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker

Dec. 23, 2024 11:27 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed...

What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry

Dec. 23, 2024 06:55 AM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of...

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...

Sugano's resume is impressive, and the Orioles hope the 35-year-old RHP has plenty in the tank

Dec. 20, 2024 14:53 PM EST

When Tomoyuki Sugano took the mound in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, pitching for Japan against the United States, it was a pretty good preview of what the major leagues might feel like. “Having the opportunity to pitch at Dodger Stadium in the 2017 WBC against the...