Japan's defense minister resigned Friday, saying she accepted the responsibility for a cover-up in which her ministry concealed records of Japanese U.N. peacekeepers' activities and dangers they faced in South Sudan. It was the latest blow to Prime ... ( read original story ...)
Japan joins U.S. in imposing new sanctions on North Korea
Japan will be taking steps to freeze the assets of five groups, including two from China, as well as nine individuals, Kishida said, but did not give further details. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the groups had ... ( read original story ...)
Japan defence minister once tipped to be first female PM resigns
The woman once seen as on track to becoming Japan's first female prime minister has resigned as defence minister. Tomomi Inada, a close ally of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, stepped down over an alleged cover-up of documents on a controversial peacekeeping ... ( read original story ...)
Japan to hike tariffs on frozen beef imports from U.S., other nations
Japan has been contacting affected nations, such as the United States, to explain the increase, Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters, Kyodo news agency said. Imports of chilled beef face no increase as their volumes did not exceed the trigger level. ( read original story ...)
Japan’s defence minister resigns amid plunging support for Abe
Embattled Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada on Friday said she ... Speaking to reporters after Inada announced her resignation at a separate news conference, Abe apologised “to the people from my heart”. He said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ... ( read original story ...)
Chanathip impresses Consadole Sapporo team boss
Consadole Sapporo chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura believes that his team's Thai midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin has the potential to excel in the competitive J1 League. Chanathip made his debut for the Japanese club in their 3-0 Levain Cup aggregate loss to ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Defense Minister Said to Be Resigning, in Blow to Abe
The Japanese news media reported on Thursday that the defense minister, Tomomi Inada, and the officer, Gen. Toshiya Okabe, chief of staff of the Ground Self-Defense Forces, as the Japanese army is known, had informed colleagues and superiors of their ... ( read original story ...)
Japan Household Spending Jumps Most Since 2015 in Sign of Sustainable Growth
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese household spending in June jumped the most since 2015 as job availability improved to a fresh 43-year high, in a sign the tightening labor market is helping push up wages and consumer spending - albeit gradually. Underscoring ... ( read original story ...)
China releases Japanese men arrested over ‘illegal activities,’ two still detained
“The protection of Japanese nationals is the government’s most important duty, and we are giving thorough support to those still in custody.” The news of the release of four of the men came after Chinese authorities informed Japan’s consul general ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese defence minister to resign over South Sudan cover-up claims
Kyodo News reported. Inada, an Abe protege appointed as defence minister a year ago, was seen by some as a potential future contender to be Japan’s first female prime minister, but her image has been damaged by the cover-up claims and several gaffes. ( read original story ...)
Main opposition chief Renho resigns Democratic Party leadership
But if we are not recognized as an alternative force, it will just spread public distrust in both ruling and opposition parties,” Renho told a news conference at the ... who was born to a Taiwanese father and Japanese mother in 1967, once garnered ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese air raids on Townsville were more a show of farce than force
News reporter Chester Wilmot was watching ... Our troops were up in New Guinea at Kokoda trying to stop a stream of Japanese pouring over the ranges toward Port Moresby, which was only hours away from mainland Australia. At the time nobody could see ... ( read original story ...)
Reports: Japan defense chief to quit over document cover-up
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's beleaguered defense minister, a protege of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will step down in connection with an alleged cover-up of military documents from U.N. peacekeeping operations, media reports said Thursday. Defense Minister Tomomi ... ( read original story ...)
Japan opposition head quits as PM Abe suffers scandal
Sign up for breaking news emails & contest alerts ... as a viable choice under a two-party system and for the benefit of the people of Japan," she said, adding that she will remain a lawmaker to build a society that tolerates diversity. ( read original story ...)
Osaka web series gives voice to the intellectually disabled
Pansy Media, based in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, streams its program once a month. Many of those involved have intellectual disabilities. The 50-minute program, which began last September, offers news and documentaries, as well as a feature called ... ( read original story ...)
Osaka lays the groundwork in ambitious plan to host both expo and casino resort
OSAKA – As the government finalizes the basic guidelines for casino operations, Osaka is pushing forward with a separate but related plan to host the 2025 World Expo — if Japan’s bid beats out the competition — at the new integrated gambling resort ... ( read original story ...)