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July 01, 2026
 

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Jesse Johnson
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.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a news conference with his Australian counterpart at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2025
Chinese fighters target SDF jets with radar lock-on as tensions surge
Beijing pinned the blame for the encounter on Tokyo, saying that SDF aircraft had repeatedly harassed a Chinese naval formation during training.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday.
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2025
‘Free-riding’ U.S. allies that don’t step up ‘will face consequences,’ Hegseth warns
In an apparent jab at Japan, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is “optimistic” that Indo-Pacific allies will ramp up defense spending “in a few years.”
U.S. President Donald Trump makes a speech aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier during his visit to the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Oct. 28.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 6, 2025
Trump strategy demands more of Japan as U.S. unveils ‘burden-sharing network’
The strategy, the first of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, reflects his longstanding view that the American system of alliances is “one-sided” in favor of allies.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov meets with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Moscow on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 3, 2025
China unleashes diplomatic campaign to isolate Japan amid Taiwan row
Meetings with top Russian, British and French officials are seen as part of an attempt by Beijing to rally support for its cause as it continues to heap pressure on Tokyo.
Japan has reportedly held informal talks with the Philippines on the possible export of a Type-03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system to Manila.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 1, 2025
Japan defense firms saw sales boom in ’24 as Tokyo eyes end of more export curbs
Sales by Japan’s top defense firms rose 40% year-on-year in 2024, new research has shown, as Tokyo looks to further ease rules on the export of lethal defense gear.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, meet in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 25, 2025
In talks with Xi and Takaichi, Trump looks to strike a delicate balance
U.S. President Donald Trump held talks with the leaders of China and Japan just hours apart, as the American leader sought to balance ties with his top rival and key ally.
Uruguay federation reportedly cancels charter flight after World Cup exit
Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez reacts after the team's loss against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
India’s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi’s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family’s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Yen hits 40-year low against the dollar, breaking ¥162 level
Japan's currency broke ¥162 to the dollar on Tuesday in Tokyo.
Japan falls in gut-wrenching fashion as Brazil strikes late to win World Cup clash
Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli (right) shoots past Japan defenders Shogo Taniguchi (left) and Takehiro Tomiyasu to score in the second half of a match in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston on Monday.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troublé, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
In Kyushu’s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.
‘The colors speak for themselves’: How Japan’s chroma bible went global
“A Dictionary of Color Combinations” is meant to function as a quick-reference guide for artists, designers and anyone with a passing interest in aesthetics as a quantifiable pursuit.

Podcast

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

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