S. Korea, Japan, China to hold summit next week

Seoul (AFP) - South Korea, China and Japan will hold a trilateral summit in Tokyo next week, Seoul announced Tuesday, the latest move in a diplomatic whirlwind centred around North Korea. The gathering on May 9 will bring together the South's President ... ( read original story ...)

Japan PM tells Jordan king he aims for strategic partnership

AMMAN, Jordan — Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has told Jordan’s King Abdullah II that his country hopes to upgrade its ties with the kingdom into a strategic partnership. Abe told the monarch on Tuesday that “Jordan’s stability is ... ( read original story ...)

Japan PM seeks public support for revision to constitution

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking public support for his long-cherished goal of revising the country’s war-renouncing constitution amid widening scandals that have hurt his government’s popularity. In a statement Tuesday ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks higher in quiet Labor Day trading

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Shares were higher in Japan and Australia on Tuesday while most other major Asian markets were closed for public holidays. The White House's announcement that it would postpone a decision on imposing hefty tariffs on U.S ... ( read original story ...)

Osaka mom held in death of 2-year-old daughter

OSAKA – A woman was arrested Monday for allegedly killing her 2-year-old daughter by dropping her off the balcony of her Osaka apartment, the police said. Yoshimi Sekimoto, 31, is suspected of dropping her daughter Yuzuki from the fifth floor of the ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese PM praises relations with oil-rich UAE

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday praised the long relationship his energy-hungry nation has had with the United Arab Emirates, a crucial oil supplier, at the start of a Mideast tour. Abe appeared briefly at a ... ( read original story ...)

Japan inmate recaptured 3 weeks after escape, island manhunt

(Tsuyoshi Ueda/Kyodo News via AP) Hirao was arrested in 2013 for a series of robberies in southern Japan. Japan has a relatively low crime rate, and prison escapes are rare. Its population is declining and the average age is rising quickly. ( read original story ...)

Japan PM Abe arrives in UAE on Middle East trip

Before leaving Japan, Abe told journalists Middle East peace was a priority on his trip. "I intend to work for the Middle East peace process by engaging with both Israel and Palestine in a constructive manner," Abe said, according to the Kyodo news agency. ( read original story ...)

Japan Sumo Association to consider opinions on female ban

(Kyodo News via AP) Amid worldwide attention, the head of the Japan Sumo Association apologized, saying the official at the Kyoto event made an "inappropriate response." The sumo ring, or dohyo, is considered sacred in the male-only sport. Women are banned ... ( read original story ...)