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July 24, 2026
 

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FOREIGN MINISTRY

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will chair a national intelligence council slated to be launched as early as this month.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 14, 2026
Prime Minister¡¯s Office to lead intelligence efforts in Japan
A new council will be responsible for examining and deliberating on ¡°important intelligence activities,¡± including those linked to national security and terrorism.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi says his ministry plans to decide on whether to ease the evacuation advisory for Iran and other countries.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 5, 2026
Japan mulls easing travel advisory for Iran
The plan emerged as other countries move to resume business in the Middle East and Japanese companies in the region are calling to lower the travel advisory.
Eighteen officials have been certified to be eligible to handle critical economic security information, with those results included in a draft of the government's upcoming report on economic security information.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 25, 2026
Japan clears 18 officials to handle economic security info
The personnel were qualified under the security clearance assessment system based on the law, which was enacted in May 2024.
All Japan-linked vessels ?carrying ?Japanese crew members have now evacuated the Gulf, Japan's Foreign Ministry ?said.
BUSINESS
Jun 19, 2026
Japan-owned vessel passed through Strait of Hormuz on Friday
All Japan-linked vessels ?carrying ?Japanese crew members have now evacuated the Gulf, the Foreign Ministry said.
Japan fans watch Samurai Blue's training session in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 9, 2026
Japan launches heightened safety campaign for citizens traveling to World Cup
Japan¡¯s Foreign Ministry decided to implement unprecedented safety measures due to anticipated confusion related to the tournament being hosted by multiple countries.
Russia's Ministry of Economic Development in Moscow
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 28, 2026
Japanese officials visit Russia to discuss business environment amid war
Economic cooperation between the two countries has significantly stalled since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A booklet released by the Foreign Ministry in partnership with the Globe-Trotter Travel Guidebook
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 18, 2026
Japan taps popular travel guide to promote overseas development assistance
The newly released booklet shows bridges and railways built with Japan¡¯s contributions as well as historic World Heritage Sites preserved and restored with such support.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi receives a policy recommendation document from Takayuki Kobayashi (center left), head of the Liberal Democratic Party's Headquarters for Intelligence Strategy, in March at the Prime Minister's Office.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
May 14, 2026
Government ramps up push to enhance intelligence capabilities
As a first step, the government plans to establish a national intelligence bureau as early as July.
At a plenary session on Friday, the House of Councilors passed a bill cutting application fees for 10-year passports to ?8,900 for online applications and to ?9,300 for in-person applications.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 24, 2026
Japanese passport fees going down to ?9,000 in July
Under the revised passport law, which takes effect on July 1, adult Japanese nationals aged at least 18 can apply for passports valid for 10 years only.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi speaks during a parliamentary session in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Apr 10, 2026
Japan lowers view of China relations amid tension over Taiwan
Japan referred to China as ¡°an important neighbor¡± after describing Tokyo-Beijing ties as ¡°one of the most important bilateral relations¡± in the 2025 iteration of a key report.
U.S. service members conduct early morning security rounds at the Cryptologic Operations Center in Misawa, Japan. Japan needs its own central agency to integrate signal and human intelligence, as well as open-source and cyber data, to produce actionable analysis.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 8, 2026
Japan¡¯s intelligence overhaul is overdue, not ominous
Japan¡¯s planned reforms would upgrade the existing Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO) into a national intelligence bureau.
Japan¡¯s tonal shift about China is likely less a dramatic shift in Tokyo¡¯s approach to Beijing, and more of a reflection of both long-standing policy trends and a response to recent flare-ups.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 26, 2026
Japan¡¯s change of China¡¯s description is not a ¡®significant shift¡¯
Tokyo¡¯s adjusted phrasing is likely more a reflection of both long-standing policy trends and a response to recent flare-ups.
Japan's relationship with China has been on a downward trend since November.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Mar 24, 2026
Japan to drop ¡®most important¡¯ tag for China ties
The 2026 Diplomatic Bluebook will describe China as an important neighbor and the relationship as ¡°strategic¡± and ¡°mutually beneficial.¡±
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi delivers a speech during the House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo last month.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 18, 2026
Japan¡¯s push to mediate conflicts meets familiar limits
Tokyo¡¯s past efforts to broker peace have had mixed results, and questions remain about how Japan will handle the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi responds to questions during a budget committee session of the House of Representatives at parliament in Tokyo on March 9.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 16, 2026
Japanese panel begins talks on improving development aid
The panel of 10 specialists on areas including development policy will discuss ways to strengthen the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
A Self-Defense Forces transport plane departs for the Maldives at Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture early Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / ANALYSIS
Mar 9, 2026
In Iran conflict, Japan shows improved evacuation readiness
Japan¡¯s response underscores both Tokyo¡¯s growing security role overseas and the diplomatic balancing act between Washington and Gulf states hosting Japanese nationals.
Members of the Air Self-Defense Force board an SDF transport plane bound for the Maldives at Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture early Sunday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 8, 2026
SDF aircraft on standby in Maldives to support evacuation mission
The SDF plane will stand ready at an airport in the Indian Ocean island nation to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
A member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army stands as the strategic strike group displays DF-5C nuclear-capable missiles during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing last September.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Feb 22, 2026
U.S. and Japan discuss China¡¯s ¡®destabilizing¡¯ nuclear buildup and testing
The allies¡¯ Extended Deterrence Dialogue came amid growing tensions with China over Beijing¡¯s push to expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal ¡ª an issue broached at the talks.
Japan's Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa (left) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao after a meeting in Beijing in October 2011.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 9, 2026
Uichiro Niwa, former Itochu president and envoy to China, dies at 86
Niwa was the first Japanese ambassador to China from the private sector since the 1972 diplomatic normalization between the two nations.
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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
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.?
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.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

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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