News and updates about Japan

Principal paid for small coffee, took large, fired

A middle school principal in Japan was fired after paying for a small coffee and taking a large. In addition, he was arrested and lost his teaching license.

Principal paid for small coffee, took large, fired

Japan pauses funding to UNRWA

Japan says it is extremely concerned about alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in October 7 attack on Israel.

Japan pauses funding to UNRWA

Passengers evacuated after Japan Airlines plane catches fire

Report: Passengers and crew safely evacuated from burning plane, airport closes runways.

Passengers evacuated after Japan Airlines plane catches fire

Japan orders evacuations following strong earthquake

Japanese PM urges residents of affected areas to evacuate, after series of earthquakes shakes island nation, bringing risk of tsunami.

Japan orders evacuations following strong earthquake

Turning the al-Aqsa Flood around

Can one change the attitude that says that the Palestinian Arabs must wrest control of the entire land from the Jews? Op-ed.

Turning the al-Aqsa Flood around

Car ramming attack near Israeli embassy in Japan

A member of a Japanese right-wing group was arrested after injuring a police officer stationed outside the Israeli embassy.

Car ramming attack near Israeli embassy in Japan

Japan imposes new Hamas-related sanctions

Japan announces sanctions on individuals and a company connected to the Hamas terrorist organization.

Japan imposes new Hamas-related sanctions

How to win a war

Few questioned the morality of burning Japan’s cities. They had no sympathy for Japan, which appallingly abused captured US civilians.Op-ed.

How to win a war

Japanese religious group visits Jerusalem Rabbi's sukkah

The Makuya group, a Japanese religious movement, visited the sukkah of Rabbi Elchanan Nir in Jerusalem.

Japanese religious group visits Jerusalem Rabbi's sukkah

China boycotts Japanese products as 'radioactive'

Chinese consumers are avoiding products from Japan in protest over Japan's pumping radioactive water toward China.

China boycotts Japanese products as 'radioactive'

North Korea plans another satellite launch

Japanese Coast Guard says North Korea plans to launch a satellite between August 24 and 31. A launch this past May failed.

North Korea plans another satellite launch

Japan provides $1 million for Jenin rehabilitation

Government of Japan announces emergency grant aid of $1 million to Jenin following recent Israeli counterterrorism operation.

Japan provides $1 million for Jenin rehabilitation

Story of Japanese Holocaust hero has been exaggerated

Researchers say Japan has exaggerated the story of Chiune Sugihara, the ‘Japanese Schindler.’

Story of Japanese Holocaust hero has been exaggerated

North Korea fires ballistic missile

The launch comes days after Kim Jong Un's sister issued threats against the US.

North Korea fires ballistic missile

Canadian teen arrested after writing name on 8th century temple

The teen was arrested after he was caught carving his name on a pillar at an ancient Japanese temple designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Canadian teen arrested after writing name on 8th century temple

North Korea notifies Japan of intent to launch satellite

Pyongyang informs Japan's coastguard that a rocket will be launched between May 31 and June 11.

North Korea notifies Japan of intent to launch satellite

Former AJC CEO David Harris honored by Japan

Harris awarded Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of years of work promoting relationship between Jewish people and Japan.

Former AJC CEO David Harris honored by Japan

Spy balloon? Mysterious object washes up on Japanese shore

Authorities can't seem to wrap their heads around the strange phenomenon but questions are already being asked.

Spy balloon? Mysterious object washes up on Japanese shore

North Korea threatens Japan after it doubles military spending

Pyongyang warns it will take ‘bold military steps’ after Tokyo announces large increase in defense budget.

North Korea threatens Japan after it doubles military spending

Russia moves mobile missile systems to island near Japan

Russian defense ministry says troops will keep 'round-the-clock watch' of area whose control has long been disputed with Japan.

Russia moves mobile missile systems to island near Japan

North Korea fires apparent ICBM

Japan's PM says the missile landed inside Japan's economic zone: The North's repeated missile launches cannot be tolerated.

North Korea fires apparent ICBM

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles

South Korea says it detected two missile launches from North Korea’s eastern coastal city of Munchon.

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles

North Korea launches two ballistic missiles

The test comes two days after North Korea fired an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile over Japan.

North Korea launches two ballistic missiles

North Korea fires ballistic missile off its east coast

Japanese citizens briefly asked to take cover following the missile launch, North Korea's fifth this week.

North Korea fires ballistic missile off its east coast

Israel, Japan sign new defense agreement

Israel, Japan mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, reach agreement on greater military equipment and technology cooperation.

Israel, Japan sign new defense agreement

Israeli Defense Minister visits Japan

Defense Min. Gantz visits Japan, meets senior Japanese officials to discuss defense cooperation, strategic ties.

Israeli Defense Minister visits Japan

Gantz to conduct official visit to US, Japan this weekend

Defense Minister to meet US CENTCOM Commander in Florida before visiting Japan.

Gantz to conduct official visit to US, Japan this weekend

Watch: Aerial footage captures aftermath of Shinzo Abe shooting

Forensics experts are seen scanning the area where the former PM was shot.

Watch: Aerial footage captures aftermath of Shinzo Abe shooting

Japanese court upholds gay marriage ban

District court rules that Japan's ban on same-sex marriage is not unconstitutional, throwing out claims filed by three couples.

Japanese court upholds gay marriage ban

Watch: TV host lauds Japanese terrorist who murdered Israelis

The deadly attack took authorities, who were on the lookout for Arab terrorists, by surprise, as 26 were gunned down and 80 wounded.

Watch: TV host lauds Japanese terrorist who murdered Israelis

Russia, China hold nuclear military drill during Biden Japan trip

Russia and China conduct military exercise involving nuclear-ready bombers while U.S. President Joe Biden visits Japan.

Russia, China hold nuclear military drill during Biden Japan trip

AJC delegation visits Japan to strengthens Japanese-Jewish ties

Delegation visits Japan to bolster ties with the American Jewish Community and Israel.

AJC delegation visits Japan to strengthens Japanese-Jewish ties

Russia halts peace talks with Japan over sanctions

Russia and Japan have not formally ended WWII hostilities, due to island border dispute. Those prospects look dim now.

Russia halts peace talks with Japan over sanctions

Powerful 7.3 earthquake rocks Japan

Serious earthquake occurs in northern Japan, tsunami alert issued.

Powerful 7.3 earthquake rocks Japan

Japan claims disputed islands annexed by Russia after WWII

With the world's focus on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Tokyo is again claiming an island archipelago under Russian occupation.

Japan claims disputed islands annexed by Russia after WWII

North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile

Japan and South Korea say North Korea fired an unidentified projectile off its east coast.

North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile

North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile

Japan, South Korea report missile fired off east coast of North Korea. Missile may have been a ballistic missile.

North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile

Japanese museum focuses on diplomat who saved Jews during WWII

Museum's new exhibit showcases the stories of Jews rescued by Chiune Sugihara during the Holocaust who landed in Japanese port city.

Japanese museum focuses on diplomat who saved Jews during WWII

World's first dual-mode vehicle kicks off in Japan

Dual-mode vehicle, able to travel on both road and rail, debuts in the town of Kaiyo in Japan's Tokushima prefecture. #

World's first dual-mode vehicle kicks off in Japan

Japanese Nazi-themed bar sparks flurry of outrage

Bar where waitstaff in Nazi uniforms served bottles of swastika champagne was shuttered after one week due to bevy of online criticism.

Japanese Nazi-themed bar sparks flurry of outrage

Japan: 5 flights delayed - by a turtle

Turtle wanders onto runway at Narita International Airport, causing planes to not take off until it was captured.

Japan: 5 flights delayed - by a turtle

Surprise: Japan's Prime Minister resigns amidst COVID freefall

With the country mired in an all-out COVID crisis, Japanese Prime Minister announced he would step down by the end of the month.

Surprise: Japan's Prime Minister resigns amidst COVID freefall

Japan suspends COVID vaccinations due to contamination

Around 1.63 million vials of Moderna's vaccine, produced in Spain, found to be contaminated. No adverse effects reported so far.

Japan suspends COVID vaccinations due to contamination

Japan suspends COVID vaccinations due to contamination

Around 1.63 million vials of Moderna's vaccine, produced in Spain, found to be contaminated. No adverse effects reported so far.

Japan suspends COVID vaccinations due to contamination

Biden nominates Rahm Emanuel to be ambassador to Japan

Barack Obama's White House chief of staff nominated to be ambassador to Japan.

Biden nominates Rahm Emanuel to be ambassador to Japan

Watch: Woman arrested for trying to extinguish Olympic flame

Police in Japan arrested a 53-year-old protesting the upcoming Olympic games in the country out of fear COVID will continue its spread.

Watch: Woman arrested for trying to extinguish Olympic flame

Watch: Rescuers trying to find dozens missing in Japan landslide

Rescuers in Japan trying to locate 80 people still missing 2 days after landslides tore through the seaside city of Atami.

Watch: Rescuers trying to find dozens missing in Japan landslide

2 dead, thousands without power after mudslide strikes in Japan

Graphic social media footage shows a mountainside spontaneously collapsing, sweeping several houses away in seconds.

2 dead,  thousands without power after mudslide strikes in Japan

Japan inspired by Israeli founder of non-profit for disabled

Rabbi Kalman Samuels’ memoir about his son - rendered blind and deaf during infancy - has received international acclaim; recently in Japan.

Japan inspired by Israeli founder of non-profit for disabled

Leading Japanese politician: "Our heart is with Israel"

Yasuhide Nakayama tweets well wishes and his stance that Israel has the right to defend itself from terror.

Leading Japanese politician: "Our heart is with Israel"

Chinese Embassy in Japan tweets anti-Semitic cartoon

Cartoon was subsequently deleted after embassy was contacted by Israeli Embassy in Japan.

Chinese Embassy in Japan tweets anti-Semitic cartoon

Rivlin receives credentials of new ambassadors for China, Japan

President Rivlin receives diplomatic credentials from the new ambassadors of China and Japan to Israel.

Rivlin receives credentials of new ambassadors for China, Japan

Backlash after Japan opts to dump radioactive water into ocean

Japan planning to dump treated water from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean, as China warns of possible action.

Backlash after Japan opts to dump radioactive water into ocean

Japan observes 10th anniversary of Fukushima disaster

On Thursday, Japan commemorated the earthquake of March 11, 2011 which led to a meltdown at the Fukushima Nuclear plant.

Japan observes 10th anniversary of Fukushima disaster

Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, resigns

Japan's longest-serving premier announces his resignation, citing health issues.

Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, resigns

Japanese municipality commemorates savior of Jews

Japanese municipality switches benefit concert to bake sale, honoring hero who saved thousands of Jews during Holocaust.

Japanese municipality commemorates savior of Jews

The real measure of Japan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

While most countries are still on a lockdown of some sort, Japan has lifted its nationwide decree of emergency. Opinion.

The real measure of Japan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Japan ends coronavirus state of emergency

Japanese president lifts state of emergency, following seven weeks of coronavirus-related restrictions.

Japan ends coronavirus state of emergency

Hadassah to test second Japanese drug

Hadassah launches clinical trial in coronavirus wards, begins tests with 'Camostat Mesylate' in adition to 'Avigan'.

Hadassah to test second Japanese drug

Experimental coronavirus drug arrives in Israel from Japan

Israeli embassy in Japan worked to make Israel among first countries to receive drug to be tested at Hadassah and Ichilov hospitals.

Experimental coronavirus drug arrives in Israel from Japan