Biden opens busy foreign policy stretch as anxious allies shift gaze to Trump, Harris
President Joe Biden is opening a busy stretch tending to international allies anxious about where U.S. foreign policy may be headed when he leaves office in four months.
A record 9 lawmakers are vying to become Japan's leader, with pledges of change and stronger defense
A record nine Japanese lawmakers have formally entered the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as head of the governing party and leader of the nation, hoping to regain public support for the party following corruption scandals.
The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expert
Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement.
Japan's economy is growing, but political uncertainty is among the risks
Japan’s economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9%, slower than the earlier report for 3.1% growth, in the April-June period, boosted by better wages and spending.
Japan's leader makes a farewell visit to Seoul and reaffirms sympathy for Korean colonial victims
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has visited Seoul and reaffirmed sympathy for the suffering of Koreans during Japan’s colonial rule, as he and his South Korean counterpart Friday underscored the need to maintain warming ties between the Asian neighbors.
Outgoing Japanese leader Kishida will visit South Korea for a summit on improving ties
Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is going to South Korea to improve the two country's relations.
Kishida vows to push rules-based order as Japan's defense chief visits Yasukuni 79 years after WWII
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has vowed to step up his country’s effort to defend a rules-based international order in a solemn ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.
Stock market today: Wall Street leaps, and S&P 500 rallies 1.6% as US shoppers drive the economy
Wall Street rallied close to its record heights after data showed the U.S. economy is holding up better than expected.
Japan's economy grew last quarter on healthy consumer spending and business investment
Japan’s economy grew at an annual rate of 3.1% last quarter, rebounding from the contraction in the previous quarter.
Here's what's next in Japan with Kishida bowing out as party leader and prime minister next month
Japan’s embattled Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has surprised the country by announcing that he’ll step down when his party picks a new leader next month.
Stock market today: Wall Street ticks higher after inflation data clears the way for cuts to rates
Wall Street ticked higher after the latest update on inflation came in almost exactly as economists expected.
Kishida will not seek another term, meaning Japan will get a new prime minister in September
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will not seek another term as his party's leader, meaning Japan will get a new prime minister in September.
Nagasaki marks 79th A-bomb anniversary without U.S. and other ambassadors after excluding Israel
Nagasaki has marked the 79th anniversary of its atomic bombing at the end of World War II at a ceremony eclipsed by the absence of the American ambassador and other Western envoys in response to the Japanese city’s refusal to invite Israel.
Faced with threats from Russia and its Asian supporters, NATO and Indo-Pacific partners get closer
Four Indo-Pacific countries attending the NATO summit have issued a joint statement to “strongly condemn the illicit military cooperation” between Russia and North Korea.
To counter China, NATO and its Asian partners are moving closer under US leadership
New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Australia are sending leaders or their deputies to the NATO summit in Washington this week as the military alliance shows growing interest beyond Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over China
Japan and the Philippines have signed a defense pact allowing Japanese forces to deploy in the Southeast Asian country for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills.
Tokyo Gov. Koike wins a third four-year term as head of Japan's influential capital
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has easily won reelection to a third four-year term as head of Japan’s influential capital.
Japan issues new yen banknotes packed with 3D hologram technology to fight counterfeiting
Japan has issued its first new banknotes in two decades, yen packed with 3D hologram technology to fight counterfeiting.
As North Korean and Chinese threats rise, US looks to lock in defense partnerships with Asian allies
The newly inaugurated Freedom Edge exercise is wrapping up in the East China Sea, having brought together Japanese, South Korean and American naval assets for multidomain maneuvers for the first time.
Japan, New Zealand agree on intel sharing pact amid growing regional security concerns
Japan and New Zealand have agreed in principle on an intelligence sharing pact as their leaders shared concern about the increasingly challenging security environment in the region, including closer ties between Russia and North Korea.
G7 leaders agree to lend Ukraine billions backed by Russia's frozen assets. Here's how it will work
The leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed to set in motion a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine.
China premier agrees on cooperation with Seoul, Tokyo but issues veiled rebuke against their US ties
China’s premier has agreed to revive three-way cooperation with South Korea and Japan in the face of shared challenges but issued a veiled rebuke against the two countries’ expanding security cooperation with the United States.
North Korea plans to launch a rocket soon, likely carrying its second military spy satellite
North Korea has announced plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second military spy satellite in the coming days.
South Korean, Chinese and Japanese leaders discuss thorny topics and ways to boost cooperation
The Japanese and South Korean leaders have raised sensitive topics like Taiwan, North Korea and the South China Sea as well as ways to boost cooperation, when they individually met China’s premier.
Malaysia PM says his country keeps good ties with US but not China phobia, wants to engage both
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said his country does not have a “China-phobia” policy and wants to engage both Beijing and Washington, expressing hopes for both powers to resolve their differences.
Leaders of South Korea, China and Japan will meet Monday for their first trilateral talks since 2019
Leaders of South Korea, China and Japan will meet next week in Seoul for their first trilateral talks since 2019.
Female White House chef duo has dished up culinary diplomacy at state dinners for nearly a decade
While President Joe Biden and his guest of honor at a White House state dinner chew over foreign policy, a female chef duo takes care of the culinary diplomacy.
Japan and India reject Biden's comments describing them as xenophobic countries
Japan and India have decried remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden describing them as “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants while he was speaking during a campaign fundraising event earlier in the week.
Nippon Steel delays closing of acquisition of US Steel until late this year after US DOJ request
Nippon Steel says it has postponed the expected closing of its $14.1 billion takeover of U.S. Steel by three months after the U.S. Department of Justice requested more documentation related to the deal.
President Joe Biden calls Japan and India 'xenophobic' nations that do not welcome immigrants
President Joe Biden has called Japan and India “xenophobic” countries that do not welcome immigrants, lumping the two with adversaries China and Russia as he tried to explain the four countries’ economic circumstances and contrasted them with the U.S. on immigration.
The UN's nuclear watchdog chief will visit Iran next week as concerns rise about uranium enrichment
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog will travel to Iran next week as Tehran’s nuclear program enriches uranium a step away from weapons-grade levels and international oversight remains limited.
Japan's ruling party loses all 3 seats in special vote, seen as punishment for corruption scandal
Japan's governing party has lost all three seats being contested in parliamentary by-elections Sunday.
Commerce Department announces new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports
The Commerce Department is announcing new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports in an effort to prevent the guns from ending up in the hands of drug traffickers and criminals in other nations.
The House passes billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle. Next is the Senate
The House has approved a $95 billion package of foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies after months of turmoil on Capitol Hill.
US envoy to UN visits Nagasaki A-bomb museum, pays tribute to victims
The American envoy to the United Nations has called for countries armed with atomic weapons to pursue nuclear disarmament as she visited the atomic bomb museum in Nagasaki, Japan.
US Steel shareholders approve takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel opposed by Biden administration
U.S. Steel shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the firm’s sale to Nippon Steel of Japan for $14.1 billion in cash, voicing unequivocal support for a combination that has drawn opposition from the Biden administration on economic and national security grounds.
Democratic donors paid more than $1M for Biden's legal bills for special counsel probe
Democratic donors covered more than $1 million in legal fees racked up by attorneys representing President Joe Biden in a yearlong special counsel probe into his handling of classified documents.
US and Philippines step up strategic partnership as China threats loom in South China Sea
The Biden administration is again reassuring the Philippines the U.S. commitment to the islands’ defense is steadfast amid increasing concerns about provocative Chinese actions in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Biden heads to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk about taxes
President Joe Biden is headed to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk about who he believes should be paying more in taxes and who should be paying less.
Biden administration announces another round of loan cancellation under new repayment plan
The Biden administration is canceling student loans for another 206,000 borrowers as part of a new repayment plan that offers a faster route to forgiveness.
North Carolina welcomes a historic visitor in Japan's Prime Minister Kishida
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is cementing economic links and cultural amity with North Carolina by visiting the Tar Heel state after a few days in Washington focused on global security issues.
Biden says he backs Japan's outreach to North Korea and says he's still open to talks with Kim
President Joe Biden says Japan’s attempts to set up a leader-to-leader summit with North Korea is “a good thing,” and reiterated his administration’s willingness for its own talks without preconditions.
Kishida cracks jokes and invokes 'Star Trek' as he and Biden toast US-Japan alliance at state dinner
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cracked jokes and invoked a touchstone of American culture by quoting “Star Trek” at Wednesday’s state dinner.
Japan is giving Washington 250 new cherry trees to replace those to be lost in construction work
Japan is giving the U.S. 250 new cherry trees to help replace the hundreds that will be ripped out this summer as construction crews work to repair the crumbling seawall around the capital Tidal Basin.
Biden says he's considering Australia's request to drop prosecution of Wikileaks founder Assange
President Joe Biden says he's considering a request from Australia to drop the decade-long U.S. push to prosecute Wikileaks founder Julian Assange for publishing American classified documents.
Biden welcomes Prime Minister Kishida and praises Japan’s growing clout on international stage
President Joe Biden has welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the White House for talks on the delicate security situation in the Pacific, the war in Ukraine and more.
Steak, cherry blossoms and Paul Simon will be featured at the White House state dinner for Japan
Rib eye steak, cherry blossoms and Paul Simon will be features of a White House state dinner for Japan.
Biden meets Japan's PM Kishida over shared concerns about China and differences on US Steel deal
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has begun his much-anticipated visit to Washington.
Indonesian president-elect vows to further strengthen ties with Japan after visiting China
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto said on a visit to Japan that he wants to “further strengthen” relations between the countries.
Japan approves plan to sell fighter jets to other nations in latest break from pacifist principles
Japan’s Cabinet has approved a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets that it’s developing with Britain and Italy to other countries.
Vietnam's president resigns in latest twist of anti-graft campaign shaking its fast-growing economy
Vietnam's president has resigned as the ruling communist party in the latest episode of a “blazing furnace” anti-corruption campaign.
Blinken underscores 'ironclad' support for the Philippines as it clashes with China in disputed sea
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has underscored Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to help defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack against its forces.
Biden to host Japan PM Kishida, Philippines President Marcos for White House summit
President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month.
13 years after Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan remembers the dead and vows to keep rebuilding
Japan marked the 13th anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that triggered a nuclear meltdown and left parts of Fukushima prefecture uninhabitable on Monday with a minute of silence and memorial events, where officials pledged continued support for rebuilding.
Conditions inside Fukushima's melted nuclear reactors still unclear 13 years after disaster struck
Japan is marking 13 years since a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the country’s northern coasts, killing nearly 20,000 people, wiping out whole towns and destroying the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Congressional leaders invite prime minister of Japan to address Congress in April
Congressional leaders have invited the prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, to address a joint meeting of Congress on April 11.
Ukraine premier in Tokyo says his country needs missiles, but expects new US aid to come through
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said his country needs long-range missiles and other ammunition to end Russia’s invasion, and said he expects a U.S. aid package that’s stalled in Congress to come through, at a new conference in Tokyo a day after a conference on rebuilding Ukraine.
Why is Japan hosting a conference for Ukraine reconstruction when it's still at war? AP explains.
Japan is hosting a conference for Japanese and Ukrainian officials to discuss reconstruction of Ukraine just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, while the U.S. and other Western countries are still focusing on military aid for the battlefield.
Japan vows support to Ukraine while hosting conference focused on war-torn country's reconstruction
Japan has pledged long-term commitment to Ukraine’s reconstruction, calling it a future investment, while stressing support for the war-torn country about to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Residents ask for a full examination of damage to a Japanese nuclear plant caused by a recent quake
A group of residents of towns near Japanese nuclear plants has submitted a petition asking regulators to halt safety screening for the restart of idled reactors until damage to a plant that partially lost external power and spilled radioactive water during a recent powerful earthquake is fully examined.
Biden to host Japan's Prime Minister Kishida at a state visit in April
President Joe Biden will host Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit on April 10, with the goal of strengthening a critical alliance as the United States has sought to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan signs agreement to purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles as US envoy lauds its defense buildup
Japan has signed a deal with the United States to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of its ongoing military buildup in response to increased regional threats.
213 deaths were caused by Japan's New Year's quake. 8 happened in the alleged safety of shelters
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the western coast of Japan on New Year’s has killed 213 people as of Thursday.
Scenes of loss play out across Japan's western coastline after quake kills 92, dozens still missing
Rescue workers are braving the cold to save people still trapped under collapsed buildings in western Japan.
New Year’s Day quake in Japan revives the trauma of 2011 triple disasters
The powerful earthquake that shattered the peace of New Year’s Day in central Japan did not spur the kind of tsunamis that scoured the northeastern Pacific coast in 2011.
Rescuers race against time in search for survivors in Japan after powerful quakes leave 78 dead
Rescuers in Japan are braving the cold in a race against time as they search for survivors along the country's western coastline after a powerful earthquake earlier in the week smashed homes and left at least 78 people dead and 51 people missing.
Powerful earthquakes in Japan leave at least 62 dead. Fears grow about saving people still trapped
A series of powerful earthquakes has hit western Japan, leaving at least 62 people dead.
US ambassador thanks Japan for defense upgrade and allowing a Patriot missile sale to US
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has praised Japan’s contribution to their military alliance, particularly a decision to allow Japanese-made Patriot guided missiles to be shipped to the United States to make up for its decreasing inventory.
Japan Cabinet OKs record military budget to speed up strike capability, eases lethal arms export ban
Japan’s defense spending would increase more than 16% next year under a record military budget that is intended to accelerate the deployment of long-range cruise missiles that can hit targets in China or North Korea.
Kishida says Japan is ready to lead Asia in achieving decarbonization and energy security
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to lead efforts to simultaneously achieve decarbonization, economic growth and energy security in Asia.
North Korea conducts first long-range missile test in months, likely firing a solid-fueled weapon
South Korea says North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea in a resumption of its weapons testing activities.
Japan and ASEAN bolster ties at a summit focused on security and economy amid tensions with China
Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have adopted a joint vision at special summit in Tokyo.
Stock market today: Wall Street hits 2023 high as it mulls whether economy is too warm or just right
Wall Street climbed to its highest level in 20 months following a stronger-than-expected report on the U.S. job market.
3rd release of treated water from Japan's damaged Fukushima nuclear plant ends safely, operator says
The operator of Japan's damaged Fukushima nuclear plant says the release of a third batch of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean has ended safely as planned.
China's Xi is courting Indo-Pacific leaders in a flurry of talks at a summit in San Francisco
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expanding his diplomatic efforts to build more partnerships with Indo-Pacific leaders after his meeting with President Joe Biden at a time of intensifying competition with the United States.
40 Filipinos flee war-ravaged Gaza Strip through Rafah crossing and arrive in Egypt
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says 40 Filipinos have fled from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into Egypt through the Rafah crossing after Filipino diplomats negotiated for their safe passage and Qatar mediated for the border to be opened.
G7 nations urge 'urgent action' to help civilians trapped in Gaza, including pauses in the fighting
Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial democracies have called for “urgent action” to help civilians trapped in an increasingly dire situation in Gaza, including pauses in the fighting to allow aid in and people out, in announcing a unified stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
A Philippine radio anchor is fatally shot while on Facebook livestream watched by followers
A radio anchor has been fatally shot by a man inside his southern Philippine station in a brazen attack that was witnessed by people watching the program live on Facebook.
Stock market today: Asian shares follow Wall St higher on hopes for an end to Fed rate hikes
Asian shares have advanced after Wall Street roared higher on hopes that market-rattling hikes to interest rates are coming to an end.
Japan and Philippine leaders agree to negotiate defense pact and boost ties amid China's aggression
The leaders of Japan and the Philippines have agreed to start negotiations for a key defense pact that will allow their troops to enter each other’s territory for joint military exercises.
Japan’s top court strikes down required sterilization surgery to officially change gender
Japan’s Supreme Court has ruled that a law requiring transgender people to undergo sterilization surgery in order to officially change their gender is unconstitutional.
Japan's Kishida plans an income tax cut for households and corporate tax breaks
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he is preparing to take bold economic measures, including an income tax cut for households hit by inflation and tax breaks for companies to promote investment.
After US approval, Japan OKs Leqembi, its first Alzheimer's drug, developed by Eisai and Biogen
Japan’s health ministry has approved Leqembi, a drug for Alzheimer’s decease that was jointly developed by Japanese and U.S. pharmaceutical companies.
South Carolina women senators who fought abortion ban to receive JFK Profile in Courage award
Five women state senators from South Carolina who formed a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state have been chosen to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award this year.
G20 leaders pay respects at Gandhi memorial as they wrap up Indian summit and hand over to Brazil
G20 leaders are paying their respects at a memorial site dedicated to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi on the final day of this year's summit.
Japan's Kishida says China seafood ban contrasts with wide support for Fukushima water release
Japan’s prime minister says China’s blanket ban on Japanese seafood in reaction to the release of treated radioactive water from a tsunami-ravaged nuclear power plant contrasts starkly with broad understanding shown by many other members of the international community.
U.S. envoy visits Fukushima to eat fish, criticize China's seafood ban over wastewater release
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has visited a city in Fukushima, where he ate a seafood lunch with the mayor, talked to fishermen and stocked up on local produce to show they are safe after the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.
Japanese ministers eat Fukushima fish to show it's safe after nuclear plant wastewater is discharged
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and three Cabinet ministers have eaten Fukushima fish sashimi at a lunch meeting in an apparent effort to show that fish is safe following the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.