More diplomatic and economic tensions are emerging between China and Japan as a tumultuous week comes to a close

More diplomatic and economic tensions are emerging between China and Japan as a tumultuous week comes to a close

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

Japan condemns China’s dual-use export ban as rare earth curbs loom

Japan condemns China’s dual-use export ban as rare earth curbs loom

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

Pacifist Japan slowly turned from exclusive self-defense to military consolidation

Pacifist Japan slowly turned from exclusive self-defense to military consolidation

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

Japan’s cabinet approves record defense budget aimed at deterring China

Japan’s cabinet approves record defense budget aimed at deterring China

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

Japan’s Takaichi wins fans not with politics, but with her style and her mantra “work, work, work”

Japan’s Takaichi wins fans not with politics, but with her style and her mantra “work, work, work”

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