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July 24, 2026
 

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Alastair Gale
In an interview at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan would take a transparent approach to investing in new methods of warfare like drones and artificial intelligence.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 18, 2026
Japan¡¯s defense chief challenges China¡¯s military spending data
Drawing a contrast with China, Koizumi has said that Japan would take a transparent approach to investing in new methods of warfare like drones and artificial intelligence.
U.S. troops take part in a counter-landing live fire exercise as part of the annual Balikatan joint military drills in the Philippines on May 4.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 28, 2026
As Europe weighs less reliance on U.S. military, Asia doubles down
Tokyo, Seoul, Canberra and other capitals in the region believe U.S. military power is critical to counter the challenges from China and North Korea.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's stealth frigate JS Mogami. Japan is trying to sell its Mogami-class warships to New Zealand.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
May 12, 2026
Japan faces U.K. rival in race to build warships for New Zealand
A deal with New Zealand would build on an agreement Tokyo recently signed with Canberra to build the first three of 11 Mogami-class ships planned for Australia.
A soldier from Ukraine¡¯s Taifun unmanned aerial vehicle unit holds a new model Marsianin attack drone on April 7 in Kharkiv region, Ukraine.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 29, 2026
Japan¡¯s Terra Drone expands investment in Ukraine drone sector
The Tokyo-based company looks to bring battlefield-tested technology back to Japan to tap into a multibillion-dollar defense budget for unmanned systems.
The USS Thomas Hudner fires a Tomahawk land attack missile in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 1.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 3, 2026
Japan¡¯s order for Tomahawk missiles delayed by U.S. use in Iran
Tomahawk missiles are a centerpiece of Tokyo¡¯s new strategy of equipping itself with long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea.
An F-35C Lightning II is staged for flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in support of Operation Epic Fury, on March 2.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 13, 2026
U.S. allies near China on edge as weapons shift from Asia to Iran
Even if fighting wraps up soon, there is concern that depleted stockpiles of munitions could take years to replace, leaving Taiwan and other places vulnerable.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions during a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Mar 12, 2026
Japan not planning to send minesweepers to Middle East, Takaichi says
The prime minister said that while details about the use of sea mines are unclear, Japan wouldn¡¯t be able to get involved in mine clearance as long as the conflict continues.
Xian H-6N jet bombers fly in a formation past a Chinese national flag during a flyover rehearsal ahead of a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing on Aug. 24, 2025.
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 12, 2026
China sends more warplanes toward Taiwan after mystery lull
Five PLA aircraft were detected in Taiwan¡¯s air defense identification zone, and three crossed the strait¡¯s median line, an unofficial boundary between Taiwan and China.
U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby exchanged views on the regional security environment with Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi in Tokyo on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 29, 2026
Top U.S. and Japan officials discuss reinforcing military alliance
U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby exchanged views on the regional security environment with Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi.
An activist shouts slogans as she holds an anti-Trump sign during a protest near the U.S. Embassy, opposing U.S. military actions in Venezuela capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in Manila, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 17, 2026
U.S. faces skepticism over deterring China as Trump eyes Greenland
Government and defense industry leaders have expressed unease at Trump¡¯s challenge to fellow NATO member Denmark over control of Greenland.
Military radar towers on Yonaguni, the westernmost inhabited island of Japan.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 13, 2025
Japan builds up ¡®missile archipelago¡¯ near Taiwan to counter China
As tensions between China and Japan rise, the sparsely populated island of Yonaguni finds itself right on the front lines.
Japan still trails the U.S. and Europe in cyber defense, and broad improvements across the corporate sector are needed, National Cyber Director Yoichi Iida said in an interview on the sidelines of a cybersecurity conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 10, 2025
Japan¡¯s cyber chief warns nation still behind on cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has been highlighted as one of the priority investment areas under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s administration, amid a string of recent breaches.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters after inspecting the Ground Self-Defense Force garrison on Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Nov 23, 2025
Japan on track to deploy missiles to island near Taiwan, Koizumi says
Japan is planning to station medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni, about 110 kilometers east of Taiwan, as part of a broader military build-up.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass as he walks from Marine One to board Air Force One to depart Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Oct. 29.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Nov 20, 2025
The U.S. has Japan¡¯s back in any dispute with China, Glass says
The U.S. ambassador has taken to social media several times since the dispute erupted to criticize China and Chinese officials.
U.S. President Donald Trump raises his fist as he boards Air Force One before traveling to South Korea, from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 2, 2025
Trump plays nice with Asian allies stung by repeated threats
While allies in Asia have ample reason to be wary of U.S. President Donald Trump, the message from his regional tour appeared to be that America isn¡¯t going anywhere.
Takumi Yamaguchi (right), head of startup AirKamuy, and a colleague retrieve a drone made of cardboard after a test flight in a field near Nagoya.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Oct 7, 2025
Startups lead charge as Japan warms to defense and dual-use technologies
Opinion polls show public support growing for a stronger defense, and the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi, has called for more military spending.
Japan said on Tuesday that it had lodged a protest with China after observing a new structure in a natural gas field in the East China Sea.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 25, 2025
Japan protests new Chinese construction in East China Sea
In the latest development, Japan said on Tuesday it lodged a protest with China after observing a new structure in a natural gas field in the East China Sea.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend a state reception in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024.
WORLD
Jun 19, 2025
Russian ties do little for Iran while boosting North Korea
Iran has little to show for its relationship with Moscow as it continues to be pummeled by waves of Israeli attacks.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrives at Calgary International Airport in Canada on Sunday for a Group of Seven leaders' summit.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 16, 2025
Polls show support for Ishiba recovering ahead of election
A survey conducted over the weekend by Kyodo News showed the approval rating for Ishiba¡¯s Cabinet at 37.0%.
U.S. Steel Edgar Thompson Works in Pennsylvania
BUSINESS / Economy
May 29, 2025
Trump¡¯s Nippon Steel bid support boosts Japan¡¯s trade talk hopes
The apparent breakthrough raises the possibility that Japan could get some new traction in its bid to get tariffs on autos and other exports removed.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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