Japan

Japan backs France's peace initiative

Japanese envoy reportedly tells PA chairman his country backs France's initiative for a peace conference.

Tourist wounded by Arab rock: Happy I'm in Israel

69-year-old Japanese woman visiting as part of pro-Israel group from Japan emphasizes: 'I don't regret coming.'

Japanese students learn about Judaism from their chief rabbi

Japan's first chief rabbi, Rabbi Edery, fascinates Japanese high schoolers with Judaism, teaches spiritual message of Tu B'Shvat.

Israel abuses refugees? Look closer at the rest of the world

New study reveals that, while foreign countries claim Israel abuses Palestinian refugees, they treat own refugees worse.

Japanese Jew joins the IDF in his grandparents' footsteps

From Iwata to the IDF, follow Daniel Tomohiro's voyage from the far east to defend Israel as his Holocaust survivor grandparents did.

Will Japan and Russia finally sign WW2 peace treaty?

70 years since the end of the Second World War, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe approaches Putin to end 'abnormal' ongoing dispute.

Japan probing reports of journalist abducted in Syria

Nearly a year after two Japanese reporters beheaded by ISIS, another is said to be held by unnamed group in Syria.

宿泊先: Stay away - Japanese policy on Islam

Japan Seeks UN Recognition of 'Japanese Schindler'

Japan preps documents to have Chiune Sugihara, who saved 6,000 Jews from Holocaust, added to Memory of the World Register.

Interview

Japan's Spiritual Tsunami: First Chief Rabbi Tells All

Rabbi and rabbanit Edery detail the historic appointment, and explain how a tragic tsunami led to a spiritual opening.

Japan Gets First-Ever Chief Rabbi

The head of Tokyo's Chabad House, Rabbi Binyamin Edery, named as Japan's first Chief Rabbi.

Japan Looking for Business Deal with Iran 'As Soon as Possible'

Tokyo to send delegation to Tehran for bilateral investment negotiations despite implications of nuclear deal.

More Treachery: US Spied on Japanese Government

Wikileaks documents reveal that after Germany, France and Brazil, the US has spied on another key ally: Japan.

Watch: 5 Mile Volcanic Plume Causes Japanese Island to Evacuate

All 140 residents of remote island ordered to flee as smoke and lava erupt from Mount Shindake, with magma explosions feared.

Japan City Defends UNESCO Listing Plan for Kamikaze Letters

A party of history, or glorifying the brutality of war? Letters from Japanese pilots cause uproar.

World's Oldest Person Dies at Age 117

Misao Okawa of Japan, born in 1898, passes away of natural causes at a nursing home in Osaka.

Japan Funds UNESCO Mission to Save Iraq's Heritage

New initiative to use satellite imaging and other tools to stop jihadists from destroying artifacts or selling them on black market.

Bibi's Footsteps? Abe First Japanese PM to Address Congress

Boehner invites Abe, as Japan unveils largest warship since WWII as part of military buildup Abe is leading alongside Israel alliance.

Rivlin Tells Ambassadors 'Israel is Turning to the East'

Rivlin hosts 20 ambassadors to Asian nations, stresses 'connection with Asia more important than ever to Israel.'

ISIS Hackers Take Down Japanese Websites

Japanese Tourism Association, futsal team hijacked by Islamist hackers, plastered with Islamic State logos.

Watch: Rivlin Sings and Dances With Japanese Christians

New sign of blossoming Israel-Japan ties as president greets delegation of Makuya pilgrims and thanks them for decades of support.

Japan Pledges $15.5M Against Mideast Terrorism

Tokyo hopes shows its continued resolve against ISIS despite beheading of two Japanese men.

Japan to Give $15M to Fight Terror in Middle East, Africa

Newspaper Sankei Shimbun reported Japan plans to donate $15 million to fight terrorism, to be announced at global conference Wednesday.

Japanese Journalist Condemns Passport Confiscation

Yuichi Sugimoto, a photojournalist set to visit refugee camps in Syria, had his passport taken away by Japanese government.

Japan Debuts Charlie Hebdo Cartoons

Cartoons reprinted for the first time in Tokyo, with Mohammed's face pixelate.

Japan Backs Abe Over Handling of Hostage Crisis

Tokyo defends seizing passport of journalist planning trip to Syria, noting 'high risk' of immediate danger to life for Japanese there.

Report: Japan Prevents Reporter From Leaving to Syria

Japanese journalist's passport seized, local media reports, after he planned to cover ISIS. Is Tokyo moving to prevent kidnappings?

Netanyahu Rejects Claims of Helping Adelson in Japan

Likud party slams 'false report' in Haaretz claiming Netanyahu tried to advance interests of businessman confidante while in Tokyo.

Fearing Boston Marathon-like Attack, Tokyo Police Prepare to Run

Police to take part in Tokyo marathon to prevent attacks, following ISIS Japanese hostage beheadings and growing terror awareness.

ISIS 'Wake-up Call' May Change 'Pacifist' Japan

Experts agree Japan caught off-guard by ISIS beheadings, will now boost foreign intel, push debate on constitutional change for war powers.

Will Japan go to War against ISIS?

Abe vows to 'punish' ISIS terrorists after dual beheadings, but can he get around the constitution? Arutz Sheva finds out.

Netanyahu Sends Condolence Letter to Abe Over ISIS Murders

'Cold-blooded murders' of Japanese hostages 'a chilling reminder' of importance of worldwide fight against ISIS, Netanyahu writes.

Jordan Vows to Do 'Everything' to Save Life of ISIS-Held Pilot

Amman pledges to save Maaz al-Kassasbeh after ISIS murders Kenji Goto before a prisoner swap can be arranged.

Australia, Britain Slam ISIS Hostage Killing at Defense Talks

Australian and British foreign ministers Bishop and Hammond condemn brutal ISIS murder before defense discussions on Russia, Ebola.

World Leaders Condemn Latest ISIS Beheading

"We will ultimately destroy ISIS," vows President Obama after the group beheads a Japanese hostage.

Japanese PM: We Will Never Forgive Terrorists

Shinzo Abe denounces ISIS's "heinous and despicable terrorist acts" after group releases video showing execution of hostage.

ISIS Executes Remaining Japanese Hostage

Islamic State terror group releases video showing beheading of Kenji Goto; Jordanian pilot's fate still unknown.

Talks to Free Japanese, Jordanian ISIS Hostages 'Deadlocked'

Deadline for prisoner swap with Jordan passes, but still no word on the fate of Kenji Goto or Maaz al-Kassasbeh.

Jordan Arrests Two 'Reporters' Over Hostage Swap Rumors

Managers of Jordanian website arrested for fueling rumors suicide bomber in Jordanian custody to be exchanged for ISIS hostage.

ISIS Issues New Threat to Kill Jordanian Pilot

ISIS threatens to execute Jordanian pilot if female suicide bomber not released by sunset, new recording by Japanese hostage states.

ISIS Wants Female Jihadist Released by Sunset

In new recording, Japanese hostage Kenji Goto issues new threat to Jordan on behalf of ISIS.

Japanese PM Calls ISIS Threat 'Utterly Despicable'

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saye he is "appalled" by ISIS threat to kill a Japanese hostage within 24 hours.

ISIS Gives 24 Hours to Save Japanese, Jordanian Hostage

ISIS in new video demands release of failed female suicide bomber from Jordan, giving deadline to rescue Kenji Goto and Jordanian pilot.

Is ISIS Deliberately Torpedoing US's International Relations?

Analysts say ISIS's demands for a prisoner swap with Japan, Jordan is a deliberate nose-thumbing at the international coalition.

Japan, Jordan Working to Free Kenji Goto and Downed Pilot

Hostages taken captive by ISIS on the negotiating table for the release of an Iraqi prisoner on death row in Amman.

UN Security Council Condemns ISIS's Murder of Japanese Hostage

15-member council issues unanimous condemnation of Haruna Yukawa's murder as 'heinous and cowardly act.'

Obama Condemns 'Outrageous' Murder of Japanese ISIS Hostage

Authenticity of video still not confirmed, but increasing signs 'rushed' footage of Haruna Yukawa by Islamic State terrorists is real.

Bibi Defends Congress Trip: I'll Go Anywhere to Defend Israel

Netanyahu warns critics it is his responsibility as PM to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons, during Cabinet meeting Sunday.

Obama Expresses Solidarity with Japan

During official visit to India, US President Obama phones Japanese PM to offer condolences and convey solidarity with the Asian nation.

Japanese Hostage's Father 'Totally Blank'

Shoichi Yukawa, father of Haruna, completely distraught after video claiming his son has been executed posted online.

Japan: Video Showing ISIS Execution 'Highly Credible'

Japan's PM says the credibility of a video announcing the execution of a Japanese hostage by ISIS is "high".

World Leaders Call for ISIS to Release Japanese Hostage

US President, British Prime Minister condemn new ISIS video of Kenji Goto begging for his life Saturday night, ISIS's 'murderous barbarity.'

ISIS Kills One Japanese Hostage, Demands Terrorist Release

Video uploaded to ISIS Twitter account shows Kenji Goto pleading for his life; in first, ransom fee waived in lieu of release of terrorist.

Mother Pleads with ISIS as Deadline Passes: Kenji is No Enemy

ISIS's threat to behead two Japanese approaches moment of truth, as journalist's mother asks for mercy for son who recently had a new child.

Clock Ticking for Japanese ISIS Hostages as Deadline Looms

Official says ISIS misunderstood Japan's foreign policy, which is purely humanitarian; 'We don't want to fight the Islamic world'.

'I'm Entering ISIS Territory, the Responsibility is Mine'

Poignant video reveals captive journalist speaking before entering Syria; Abe admits Japan in 'race against time' to save 2 ISIS hostages.

Israel turns East

How Have Israel and Japan Become Key Allies in Less Than a Year?

Abe's visit caps off a dizzying growth in bilateral ties, and heralds 'a new era' - what has been accomplished and what is on the docket?

US Calls for ISIS to Release Japanese Hostages

State Department expresses support of Japan, condemns ISIS threat to behead captives; Kerry to speak with Japanese counterpart.

Japanese PM Vows to 'Lead and Solve the Hostage Crisis'

Before leaving Israel ahead of schedule, Abe outlines steps he is taking to confront ISIS threats to behead 2 Japanese nationals.

Report: One of the Japanese ISIS Hostages Mentally Ill

Local media reveals Haruna Yukawa has a history of suicide attempts, may have gone to Syria to die.