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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump meet at the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
United States

Trump talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi off to positive start

Two leaders tout bilateral relationship and pledge to work cooperatively on trade despite Trump joke about Pearl Harbour.

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Japan

Blooming marvellous: Tokyo’s cherry blossom season officially begins

South Korea

‘Cold-hearted’ South Korean cafe’s US$1 ‘toilet-only’ menu flush with criticism

Japan

Japan gets tough against teachers’ sexual misconduct, voyeurism after arrests

Sexual offences involving mostly male teachers targeting students remain high despite stricter rules against the menace in recent years.

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A man taking an upskirt photo. The wide use of mobile technology has encouraged misbehaviour among some Japanese teachers, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock
A man taking an upskirt photo. The wide use of mobile technology has encouraged misbehaviour among some Japanese teachers, analysts say. Photo: Shutterstock
North Korea

Nuclear or nothing: why North Korea’s Kim expects the US to come ‘cap in hand’

With Washington tied up in Iran, Kim Jong-un’s message is clear: if the US wants a summit, it must pay his nuclear price.

Japan

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

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Japan

Japanese atomic bomb survivor who hugged Obama in Hiroshima dies at 88

Earlier this month, Shigeaki Mori warned that the world was at risk of another nuclear attack over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

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Then US president Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, during a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 2016. Photo: AFP
Then US president Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, during a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 2016. Photo: AFP
Japan

Will Japan follow Australia’s lead and ban children from social media?

A new panel is studying how prolonged social media exposure affects young people, with youth suicide among issues likely to be addressed.

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Singapore

Singapore’s Lawrence Wong seeks stronger ties with Japan amid global tensions

Wong and Takaichi are expected to discuss economic stability and AI, and tread cautiously amid superpower rivalries, analysts say.

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Japan

‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee

Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall.

People gather at a port in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, with Mount Fuji in the background. Photo: AFP
South Korea

BTS’ concert puts ‘K-safety’ to the test as 260,000 fans to throng Seoul

Over 8,000 officials will be deployed at Saturday’s event in Seoul amid heightened scrutiny over crowd safety.

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Stage construction is under way at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul ahead of BTS’ comeback concert. Photo: Korea Times
Stage construction is under way at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul ahead of BTS’ comeback concert. Photo: Korea Times
Japan

Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow

Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.

South Korea

‘Catch-22 situation’: South Korea walks tightrope over Trump’s Hormuz call

Seoul is expected to seek national consensus and wait for the outcome of the Takaichi-Trump summit before deciding, observers say.

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Japan

2 dead after Japanese school boats capsize off US military base site in Okinawa

A 17-year-old female student and a boat captain were pronounced dead after all 21 on board the two vessels were thrown into the water.

Japan Coast Guard officials prepare to to search at a port in Henoko after two boats capsize on Monday. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?

The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.

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A naval vessel sails in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
A naval vessel sails in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS
North Korea

North Korea launches 10 missiles as South Korea, US conduct military exercises

North Korean leader’s sister Kim Yo-jong has slammed both countries for proceeding with the drills at a perilous time in global security.

US, Israel war on Iran

More than 2,000 Marines leave Japan for Middle East as Iran war intensifies

Trump has ordered the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Tripoli assault ship to be redeployed to the Persian Gulf.

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North Korea

Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock

Trump was interested to know if North Korea’s Kim Jong-un would be open to meeting him, South Korean prime minister said.

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President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas on June 30, 2019. Photo: Reuters
President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas on June 30, 2019. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

Japan

Japanese man gets 14 years for deadly tequila-fuelled rape attempt

The victim died from acute alcohol poisoning after Hiroki Itaya forced her to drink 32 tequila shots at a bar in Nagoya.

China trade

Japan taps oil reserves as Iran war spreads. Could it give China leverage?

With Tokyo and Beijing still at loggerheads over Taiwan, analysts warn Japan’s decision exposes its economic vulnerability.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media about the release of oil stockpiles at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China's population

Can AI help China cushion economic fallout from its rapidly ageing population?

As fertility rates fall, Asian economies face a daunting challenge – sustaining growth with fewer workers.

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A robot serving food and drinks on the China Mobile stand, taken on March 3 in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress, the world’s biggest mobile technology showcase and fair. Photo: AFP
A robot serving food and drinks on the China Mobile stand, taken on March 3 in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress, the world’s biggest mobile technology showcase and fair. Photo: AFP
Japan

In Japan, video of exhausted Takaichi sparks health fears ahead of US trip

The prime minister is expected to announce Tokyo’s participation in the US’ ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system when she meets Trump.

North Korea

US sanctions 2 firms, 6 individuals for funding North Korean weapons

North Korea-linked IT workers raised nearly US$800 million in 2024 by defrauding or stealing data to blackmail American companies.

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South Korea

Too little, too late: South Korea’s Itaewon inquiry lays bare chain of failures

The hearing comes over three years after the tragedy, hindered by political gridlock, accountability disputes and investigative delays.

A man pays respects at an altar for the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush on December 29, 2022. Photo: Kyodo
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