By Yuka Obayashi SHIZUOKA, Japan, Jan 12 (Reuters) – A Japanese mining ship set sail for a remote coral atoll on Monday to probe mud rich in rare earths, part of Tokyo’s efforts to reduce its reliance on China for essential minerals as Beijing tightens supply. The month-long mission of the Chikyu test vessel near … Read more
BEIJING (AP) — A week in which long-standing tensions between neighbors China and Japan escalated economically and politically ended Friday with no signs of improvement, as the Chinese ambassador to Tokyo rebuffed his host country and the Japanese reported delays in deliveries to Chinese suppliers because of the conflict. The two events capped a week … Read more
By Satoshi Sugiyama and Kantaro Komiya TOKYO, Jan 7 (Reuters) – Japan on Wednesday called China’s ban on dual-use exports for its military “absolutely unacceptable”, amid a looming threat of wider restrictions on vital rare earths in a growing dispute between Asia’s top two economies. Dual-use items are goods, software, or technology that have both … Read more
TOKYO (AP) — Japan is continuing efforts to significantly boost its military capabilities to counter growing threats from China by doubling its annual arms spending. The goal comes as Tokyo’s main ally, the United States, pushes for more military assistance in Asia and an ultra-conservative military hawk takes over Japan. Japan says it is still … Read more
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s cabinet on Friday approved a record defense budget plan of more than 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for next year that aims to bolster its strike-back capability and coastal defenses with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals as tensions rise in the region. The draft budget for fiscal year 2026, as of … Read more
Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater struck within days of each other in Alaska and Japan, raising concerns that another big quake could be on the way. The first earthquake occurred in Alaska on December 6 with a magnitude of 7.0, a major earthquake capable of causing serious damage if it had not happened … Read more
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s pledge to “work, work, work, work and work” for her country has been named the slogan of the year. The ultra-conservative Takaichi spoke out in October when she was elected head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Many were initially as concerned about her work ethic as … Read more
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s beloved Princess Aiko is often hailed as a pop star. During a visit to Nagasaki with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, the sound of her name being shouted by well-wishers along the roads drowned out her parents’ cheers. When she turns 24 on Monday, her supporters want to change Japan’s male … Read more