SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Embattled Japan leader vows to cooperate with long-ignored opposition in bid to save his government
Read full article: Embattled Japan leader vows to cooperate with long-ignored opposition in bid to save his governmentJapan’s embattled Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who survived as leader after a major election loss by his governing coalition, is promising to work closely with the long-ignored opposition that is now the only way his minority government can stay in power.
Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions
Read full article: Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensionsJapan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers.
Kishida's legacy: Scandals and compromise at home, global respect for security and diplomacy
Read full article: Kishida's legacy: Scandals and compromise at home, global respect for security and diplomacyJapan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will resign Tuesday, handing over leadership to his successor Shigeru Ishiba, who says he plans to call a snap election for Oct. 27.
Japan's soon-to-be prime minister faces big challenge as he tries to move past ruling party scandals
Read full article: Japan's soon-to-be prime minister faces big challenge as he tries to move past ruling party scandalsThe person chosen to lead Japan’s governing party, and become prime minister next week, is a veteran politician with deep policy experience, a taste for curry and anime — and big challenges ahead of him as he tries to unite a fractious party and hold off an opposition eager to capitalize on recent corruption scandals.
A look at high-profile political assassinations and attempts this century
Read full article: A look at high-profile political assassinations and attempts this centurySlovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was gravely injured in an apparent assassination attempt that rocked the small country and the rest of Europe just weeks before an election.
Biden meets Japan's PM Kishida over shared concerns about China and differences on US Steel deal
Read full article: Biden meets Japan's PM Kishida over shared concerns about China and differences on US Steel dealJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has begun his much-anticipated visit to Washington.
In secular Japan, what draws so many to temples and shrines? Stamp collecting and tradition
Read full article: In secular Japan, what draws so many to temples and shrines? Stamp collecting and traditionMomo Nomura, a graphic artist and entrepreneur, visits a shrine near her business meetings or trips almost weekly.
Japanese leaders mark 1 year since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe
Read full article: Japanese leaders mark 1 year since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo AbeJapanese political and business leaders are marking one year since the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe.
Suspect in Japan PM attack may have had election grudge
Read full article: Suspect in Japan PM attack may have had election grudgeAn unemployed 24-year-old man who allegedly threw a pipe bomb at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wanted to be a politician and believed that he was unfairly blocked from running for Japan’s parliament by an age requirement, according to media reports and social media posts that appeared to be his.
Explosive targeting Japan PM renews worry of homemade arms
Read full article: Explosive targeting Japan PM renews worry of homemade armsJapanese police have confiscated metal tubes, tools and possible gunpowder from the home of a suspect who threw what was believed to be a homemade pipe bomb at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a campaign venue.
Lack of security for Japanese prime minister surprised many
Read full article: Lack of security for Japanese prime minister surprised manyThe fishermen who tackled the man suspected of the second attack on a Japanese political leader in less than a year were surprised by the lack of security for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
New Japan law aims at Unification Church fundraising abuses
Read full article: New Japan law aims at Unification Church fundraising abusesJapan’s parliament has enacted a law to restrict malicious donation solicitations by religious and other groups, which mainly targets the Unification Church, whose fundraising tactics and cozy ties with the governing party caused public outrage.
Japan Cabinet OKs $200B spending plan to counter inflation
Read full article: Japan Cabinet OKs $200B spending plan to counter inflationJapan’s Cabinet has approved a hefty economic package including 29 trillion yen ($200 billion) in government spending to counter the blow from inflation, signaling that the greater concern of its policymakers is that the economy will stall, not overheat.
North Korea fires missiles after Harris leaves South Korea
Read full article: North Korea fires missiles after Harris leaves South KoreaIn a show of defiance, North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea hours after U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris flew home from a visit to South Korea during which she emphasized the “ironclad” U.S. commitment to the security of its Asian allies.
Abe's militaristic funeral captures Japan's tense mood
Read full article: Abe's militaristic funeral captures Japan's tense moodFor all the heated arguments ahead of the controversial state funeral of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — both for and against — it was the images of Tuesday's ceremony that most clearly tell the story of a deeply divided nation still struggling to process the legacy of perhaps the most polarizing leader in its modern history.
Japanese former leader Abe honored at divisive state funeral
Read full article: Japanese former leader Abe honored at divisive state funeralJapan’s assassinated hawkish former leader, Shinzo Abe, has been honored by a rare and divisive state funeral that was full of militaristic pomp and surrounded by throngs of mourners as well as by widespread protests.
In Tokyo, Harris calls US-Japan alliance 'a cornerstone'
Read full article: In Tokyo, Harris calls US-Japan alliance 'a cornerstone'U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived in Tokyo to lead a U.S. delegation to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in July.
Kishida opens diplomacy rush as Japan preps divisive funeral
Read full article: Kishida opens diplomacy rush as Japan preps divisive funeralJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has held a series of meetings with foreign dignitaries in what he has called “funeral diplomacy” on the day before he hosts a controversial state-sponsored funeral for former leader Shinzo Abe.
South Korea says North Korea test-fired missile toward sea
Read full article: South Korea says North Korea test-fired missile toward seaNorth Korea has fired a short-range ballistic missile toward its eastern seas, extending a provocative streak in weapons testing as a U.S. aircraft carrier visits South Korea for joint military exercises in response to the North’s growing nuclear threat.
Fiona sweeps away houses, knocks out power in eastern Canada
Read full article: Fiona sweeps away houses, knocks out power in eastern CanadaFiona washed houses into the sea, tore the roofs off others and knocked out power to the vast majority of two Canadian provinces as it made landfall as a big, powerful post-tropical cyclone Saturday.
US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea for joint drills
Read full article: US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea for joint drillsThe nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has arrived in the South Korean port of Busan ahead of the two countries’ joint military exercise that aims to show their strength against growing North Korean threats.
Queen's death triggers media bonanza in works for decades
Read full article: Queen's death triggers media bonanza in works for decadesPlans by news organizations that have been in place for years — even decades — to cover the death of Queen Elizabeth II were triggered and tested when the event took place.
Half of Japan governing lawmakers tied to Unification Church
Read full article: Half of Japan governing lawmakers tied to Unification ChurchJapan’s governing party says an internal survey has found that nearly half of its national lawmakers had ties to the Unification Church, in a widening controversy that emerged after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan PM apologizes for party's church links, will cut ties
Read full article: Japan PM apologizes for party's church links, will cut tiesJapan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his ruling party will cut ties with the Unification Church following a widening scandal triggered by former leader Shinzo Abe’s assassination last month.
Unification Church followers decry 'biased' Japanese media
Read full article: Unification Church followers decry 'biased' Japanese mediaThousands of Unification Church followers have rallied in South Korea protesting negative Japanese media coverage after the suspect in the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe blamed the church for his family’s troubles.
Japan marks WWII's end, Kishida doesn't mention aggression
Read full article: Japan marks WWII's end, Kishida doesn't mention aggressionPrime Minister Fumio Kishida has renewed Japan’s no-war pledge at a somber ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the country's World War II defeat, but he did not mention Japanese wartime aggression.
Japan PM purges Cabinet after support falls over church ties
Read full article: Japan PM purges Cabinet after support falls over church tiesJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has reshuffled his Cabinet in a bid to distance his administration from the conservative Unification Church over its ties to the assassinated leader Shinzo Abe and senior ruling party members.
US ambassador to Japan warns of Chinese economic coercion
Read full article: US ambassador to Japan warns of Chinese economic coercionThe U.S. ambassador in Tokyo says his government is working with Japan and other likeminded countries to counter Chinese attempts to use its economic might to force political change around the world.
Japan PM blames police for death of former leader Shinzo Abe
Read full article: Japan PM blames police for death of former leader Shinzo AbeJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has blamed inadequate police protection for the death of former leader Shinzo Abe, who was shot while giving an outdoor campaign speech.
Japan police find bullet marks near Abe assassination site
Read full article: Japan police find bullet marks near Abe assassination siteJapanese police say they have found what they believe are several bullet marks on a building near the site of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination last week in western Japan, apparently from the first shot fired from a suspect’s powerful homemade gun that narrowly missed Abe.
US, Japan vow joint efforts on Ukraine, trade, food crisis
Read full article: US, Japan vow joint efforts on Ukraine, trade, food crisisU.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Japan's finance minister have agreed to cooperate in dealing with challenges from the war in Ukraine and promoting free trade, sustainable energy and food security.
Abe's party vows to finish his work after win in Japan vote
Read full article: Abe's party vows to finish his work after win in Japan voteDays after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination, his party vowed to use its victory in a parliamentary election to achieve his unfinished goals.
Japan ruling party wins big in polls in wake of Abe's death
Read full article: Japan ruling party wins big in polls in wake of Abe's deathJapan’s governing party and its coalition partner have scored a major victory in parliamentary elections imbued with meaning after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Abe's death raises security questions as Japan mourns
Read full article: Abe's death raises security questions as Japan mournsA top police official has acknowledged possible security lapses that allowed an assassin to fire his gun into former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while he was addressing a campaign rally.
A look at high-profile political assassinations this century
Read full article: A look at high-profile political assassinations this centuryJapanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated Friday by a gunman who opened fire on him as he delivered a campaign speech on a street in western Japan, shocking the country.
Assassination of Japan's Shinzo Abe stuns world leaders
Read full article: Assassination of Japan's Shinzo Abe stuns world leadersLeaders around the world are condemning the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while recalling him as a man devoted to peace, security and international cooperation.
G-20 diplomats fail on unity over Ukraine, war's impact
Read full article: G-20 diplomats fail on unity over Ukraine, war's impactDeeply divided top diplomats from the world's richest and largest developing nations have failed to find common ground over Russia's war in Ukraine and its global impacts.
S. Korean slavery victim seeks UN justice as time runs out
Read full article: S. Korean slavery victim seeks UN justice as time runs outThirty years ago, South Korean Lee Yong-soo went public for the first time in describing how she was abducted from home at age 16 and forced to provide sex by Japan’s wartime military.
Japan to push controversial mine for UNESCO World Heritage
Read full article: Japan to push controversial mine for UNESCO World HeritagePrime Minister Fumio Kishida says Japan will recommend a former gold mine on Sado Island for a UNESCO World Heritage list despite protests from South Korea that the site is inappropriate because of its wartime abuse of Korean laborers.
Japan Cabinet OKs record defense budget amid Taiwan concerns
Read full article: Japan Cabinet OKs record defense budget amid Taiwan concernsJapan’s Cabinet has approved a record 5.4 trillion yen ($47 billion) defense budget for fiscal 2022 that includes funding for research and development of a new fighter jet and other “game-changing” weapons as Japan bolsters its defense capabilities in response to China’s growing military might and its tensions with Taiwan.
Japan's military, among world's strongest, looks to build
Read full article: Japan's military, among world's strongest, looks to buildDozens of Japanese tanks are participating in a major exercise on the northern island of Hokkaido in a display of military power that coincides with a recent escalation of Chinese and Russian military moves around Japanese territory.
Japan PM vows to step up defense amid China, NK threats
Read full article: Japan PM vows to step up defense amid China, NK threatsJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at his first troop review, has renewed his pledge to consider “all options,” including acquiring enemy base strike capability, and vowed to create a stronger Self-Defense Force to protect the country amid growing threats from China and North Korea.
Japan's Kishida wins mandate, though economic agenda unclear
Read full article: Japan's Kishida wins mandate, though economic agenda unclearPrime Minister Fumio Kishida says Japan should revitalize its economy through “new capitalism" and many in this country are puzzled over exactly what he has in mind.
Japanese parliamentary elections crucial for new PM's rule
Read full article: Japanese parliamentary elections crucial for new PM's ruleJapan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces a crucial test in Sunday's national parliamentary elections, which will determine if his government will have enough support to stay in power long enough to repair the pandemic-hit economy, and tackle climate change and China’s rise.
Japan keeps tourism freeze despite plunge in virus cases
Read full article: Japan keeps tourism freeze despite plunge in virus casesFilled with pink and fuzzy things and cuddly bears, 6%DOKIDOKI, a tiny store in the heart of Tokyo’s Harajuku district, is bursting with “kawaii,” the Japanese for “cuteness.”.
Hiroshima atomic bombing survivor Sunao Tsuboi dies at 96
Read full article: Hiroshima atomic bombing survivor Sunao Tsuboi dies at 96Sunao Tsuboi, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing who made opposing nuclear weapons the message of his life, including in a meeting with President Barack Obama in 2016, has died.
2 women, political opposites, vying in race for Japan PM
Read full article: 2 women, political opposites, vying in race for Japan PMTwo women are among candidates for Japan’s governing party leadership for the first time in 13 years in what seems like a big step in the country's male-dominated politics.
Japan governing party begins race to pick Suga successor
Read full article: Japan governing party begins race to pick Suga successorOfficial campaigning has begun for the new head of Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party, who typically becomes the national leader because of the party’s control over parliament.
Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo's 8-year Olympic saga
Read full article: Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo's 8-year Olympic sagaThe Tokyo Paralympics have closed to end a saga that began eight years ago when the Japanese capital was named the host city by the International Olympic Committee.
Romania, Japan herald century of diplomacy at bridge site
Read full article: Romania, Japan herald century of diplomacy at bridge siteRomania and Japan have celebrated a century of diplomatic relations with officials from both countries visiting the site of what will be one of Europe's longest suspension bridges.
Japan's Suga makes offering at war shrine but doesn't visit
Read full article: Japan's Suga makes offering at war shrine but doesn't visitJapanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has donated religious offerings to a Tokyo shrine viewed by China and both Koreas as a symbol of wartime aggression, though he avoided a visit.