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July 12, 2026
 

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Jesse Johnson
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday following North Korea's launch of at least two ballistic missiles.
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2026
North Korea launches multiple missiles in first tests of 2026
Tokyo said the missiles flew on “irregular trajectories,” traveling 900 and 950 km, respectively — a distance that puts a large section of southern Japan within striking distance.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 2, 2026
In call, Takaichi and Trump agree to work toward spring visit to U.S.
The Japanese leader avoided a clear answer to a question about whether China’s large-scale military exercises around Taiwan earlier this week had been broached during the talks.
This screenshot from undated video footage released on Tuesday shows a Chinese launcher firing rockets at an undisclosed location during military exercises surrounding Taiwan.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 2, 2026
U.S. urges China to halt military pressure on Taiwan, days after Japan and others
A State Department spokesman said China’s military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan and others in the region “increase tensions unnecessarily.”
Chinese ground forces conduct long-range live-fire drills targeting waters south of Taiwan, at an undisclosed location in this screenshot from a video released Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 31, 2025
Japan says Chinese military exercises around Taiwan ‘increase tensions’
Tokyo joined Australia and several European nations in conveying concern to Beijing over the large-scale drills as Taipei remained on high alert. 
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in South Korea on Oct. 31.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 31, 2025
Dangerous new equilibrium awaits Japan-China ties in 2026
The deterioration of ties after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on a possible Japanese military intervention in a Taiwan crisis will test both Tokyo and Beijing’s resolve.
Chinese soldiers fire rockets during military drills on Pingtan Island, in eastern China's Fujian province — the closest point to Taiwan — on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 30, 2025
China fires rockets during military exercises simulating Taiwan blockade
The Chinese military held a second day of large-scale exercises on Tuesday focused on isolating the democratic island and deterring aid from Taipei’s partners.
A woman works at a noodle store in Taipei on Monday near a television screen showing a news report on China's "Justice Mission 2025" military drills around the self-ruled island.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 29, 2025
China announces ‘major’ military exercises around Taiwan
The large-scale drills are the first since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks that Japan could intervene militarily in a crisis over the democratic island.
A projectile is launched as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a long-range "strategic" cruise missile drill, state-run media said Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 29, 2025
North Korea tests long-range, nuclear-capable cruise missiles
Pyongyang test-fired two “strategic” cruise missiles on Sunday, as leader Kim Jong Un pledged to continue the “unlimited and sustained development” of his nuclear forces.
Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets tasked with operations against airspace violations
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 26, 2025
Amid China tensions, Japan’s defense budget tops ¥9 trillion for first time
The request includes ¥100 billion to build a drone “shield” to help defend the country’s southwestern periphery amid rising concerns over Chinese military moves in the area.
Former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told an NHK program Sunday that while the government was adhering to the country's three non-nuclear principles as a policy guideline, “the question is what to do going forward.”
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 21, 2025
Senior LDP official hints at need for discussion of non-nuclear principles
The remarks by former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera were the latest signal that the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could be eyeing revisions to the principles.
Queried about the comments by a senior Japanese government official that Tokyo should acquire nuclear weapons, a U.S. State Department spokesperson did not directly address the remarks, but praised Japan for its stance on nuclear nonproliferation.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 20, 2025
U.S. appears to pour cold water on idea of Japan acquiring nukes
The State Department called Japan “a global leader” and “valuable partner” on nuclear nonproliferation and advancing nuclear arms control.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during an end-of-year news conference at the State Department in Washington on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 20, 2025
Rubio calls Japan-China tensions ‘preexisting’ and vows to work with both
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Asian powerhouses’ row over Taiwan “one of the dynamics that has to be balanced in that region.”
Japan’s top uniformed military officer, Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, listens during an interview with The Japan Times at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 18, 2025
SDF chief homes in on air defense as threats grow increasingly complex
The “central pillar” in responding to sophisticated threats, Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura said, is for Japan to establish an integrated air and missile defense system.
China's Liaoning aircraft carrier sails through the Miyako Strait near Okinawa on its way to the Pacific in April 2021.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2025
China aircraft carrier flotilla headed home, one week after Japan radar incident
Aircraft from the Liaoning carrier were involved in what Tokyo said was a “dangerous” incident that saw Chinese military jets lock their radar on Japanese fighters.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at a news conference on Thursday in Washington.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 12, 2025
Trump can balance Japan alliance and China despite row, White House says
The U.S. and Japanese defense chiefs also spoke over the phone, expressing “grave concern” over Beijing’s recent military actions.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a news conference with his Australian counterpart at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 11, 2025
Japan looks to international community to lower temperature in China row
Gaining the understanding of other nations on Japan’s stance “is of the utmost importance,” the government’s top spokesman said.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a Lower House budget committee session on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 10, 2025
U.S. backs Japan in radar row with China as Tokyo refutes Beijing’s claims
Washington criticized Beijing over its military’s use of radar on Japanese fighter jets Saturday — the first time the Trump administration has weighed in on the incident.
A Chinese J-16 fighter jet flies next to a Tu-95 nuclear-capable bomber during a joint long-range patrol near Japan on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 10, 2025
Chinese and Russian bombers hold joint drill near Japan in ‘show of force’
Two Russian nuclear-capable bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea to join two Chinese bombers for a “long-range joint flight” above the western Pacific.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off eastern Aomori Prefecture around 11:15 p.m. Monday.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2025
Tsunami warnings lifted after M7.5 quake rocks northeastern Japan
The Japan Meteorological Agency registered a seismic intensity of upper-6 on the Japanese scale in the city of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara speaks about the Chinese military's radar lock-on of Air Self-Defense Force aircraft over the weekend, during a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 8, 2025
Japan and China trade barbs over radar lock-on as row shows no signs of abating
The government’s top spokesman said it “will continue to respond calmly and resolutely” after the “dangerous” incident Saturday that Beijing has said was triggered by Tokyo.
China’s demand for Soviet-style apartments shows limits to revival
Apartments built during a Soviet Union-inspired construction drive in the 1970s and 1980s tend to suffer from poor insulation and outdated plumbing, but they are seeing a revival in interest due to their attractive locations.
Japanese scientists identify neural mechanism that may explain why we dislike people
The aggressive mouse (left) used in the experiment and a mouse defending itself
Japanese payment processor’s collapse hits banks and restaurants
Zentoshin served around 200,000 shops, many of which rely on early payments to maintain cash flow, raising concerns over their financial stability following the disruption.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
Lenders seek $700 million after Japanese payments firm’s collapse
The financial failure of Osaka-based Zentoshin has left 63 creditors with claims totaling ¥115.16 billion, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
Japan’s largest exhibition of women photographers rights a wrong in cultural history
Miwa Yanagi’s “Elevator Girl House” series skewers the superficiality of gender roles through staged images.
Over 70% of accommodations in Japan say they are understaffed amid tourism influx
The number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a high of 42.68 million in 2025.
‘Princess Mononoke’ comes alive in Super Kabuki staging
The “Princess Mononoke” adaptation was created under Shochiku’s Super Kabuki initiative, a modern form of kabuki with more technology in staging and open to pop culture collaborations.
The beating heart inside ‘Human Vapor’
Different forms of love and connection form the emotional backbone of Netflix’s “Human Vapor,” says actor Shun Oguri, who plays troubled detective Kenji Okamoto.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Born on social media platforms in 2022, Opanchu Usagi has become a major hit, especially among Generation Z.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
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