Politics
Japan pledges to launch new dialogue on nuclear material ban treaty
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa pledged Monday to launch a new dialogue framework to start negotiations on a multinational treaty banning the production of nuclear materials that have the potential to be used in weapons. With Japan holding the U.N. Security Council's monthly chair for March, Kamikawa said at an… Read
LDP heavyweights urged to speak as sworn witnesses over funds scandal
Japan's opposition bloc on Monday urged heavyweights of the Liberal Democratic Party to testify as sworn witnesses in parliament as part of investigations into a political funds scandal that has significantly eroded public trust in the ruling LDP. At a House of Representatives ethics committee session, Hakubun Shimomura, a key… Read
No plan to call election before scandal-hit figures punished: Kishida
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday he does not plan to dissolve the House of Representatives before punishing lawmakers of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party involved in a political funds scandal. In a parliamentary committee session, Kishida, who heads the LDP, said he will reprimand the lawmakers, including heavyweights… Read
N Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward eastern waters
North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Monday morning, its neighbors said, days after the end of the South Korean-U.S. military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal. The launches — North Korea’s first known missile testing activities in about a month — came as U.S.… Read
Japan, U.S., Philippines arrange summit in Washington in April
Japan, the United States and the Philippines are arranging a trilateral summit in Washington in April when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits the United States, a diplomatic source said. The plan, currently under discussion, is expected to be announced at an appropriate time, the source told Kyodo News. The three… Read
LDP amends party rules to toughen penalties for fund violations
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, revised internal rules on Sunday to toughen penalties for lawmakers involved in political funds scandals, as public trust in politics has been declining significantly. The LDP has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that some of its factions, including… Read
Canada can increase role in Indo-Pacific through IPEF: Japan envoy
The Japanese ambassador to Canada has expressed hope Ottawa will join the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework shortly, as the resource-rich country's participation will further integrate it into the Indo-Pacific region. Canada's potential membership in IPEF "is a positive development and as a resource-rich country it will help strengthen the supply… Read
Japan to launch new dialogue on banning nuclear material production
Japan is set to launch a new dialogue framework toward starting negotiations for a multinational treaty banning the production of nuclear materials that have the potential to be used for weapons, a government source said. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is expected to announce the plan when she presides over… Read
Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine picks ex-admiral as chief priest
Japan's Yasukuni Shrine has picked a former military commander as its chief priest in a move that could stir controversy over a site that other Asian nations see as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression. Umio Otsuka, 63, a former Maritime Self Defense Force (SDF) commander and a one-time ambassador… Read
Biden opposes plan to sell U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, citing need for 'American steel workers'
President Joe Biden came out in opposition to the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying on Thursday that the U.S. needs to "maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers.” In a statement, Biden added: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for… Read
