News and updates about Japan

Second time this week

North Korea launches a ballistic missile

South Korea and Japan say North Korea has launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan.

North Korea launches a ballistic missile

No peace prize for UNRWA:

Japanese org. of atom bomb survivors wins Nobel Peace Prize

Nihon Hidankyo, also known as Hibakusha, a grassroots Japanese organization, was declared the winner of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize today after UNRWA's nomination was criticized for its connections to Hamas.

Japanese org. of atom bomb survivors wins Nobel Peace Prize

Exploding radios were discontinued a decade ago, firm says

Japan's Icom Inc. says hand-held radio models affected by Lebanon explosions were discontinued a decade ago.

Exploding radios were discontinued a decade ago, firm says

North Korea fires salvo of ballistic missiles

South Korea and Japan say North Korea fired a salvo of short-range ballistic missiles, its second missile launch in the past week.

North Korea fires salvo of ballistic missiles

Japan:

Israeli ambassador snubbed, US & British envoys boycott ceremony

US, British ambassadors skip Nagasaki ceremony after Israeli envoy’s presence is nixed.

Israeli ambassador snubbed, US & British envoys boycott ceremony

In first:

US Ambassador summoned following sanctions against Israelis

US and Japanese ambassadors to Israel, as well as European Union ambassador, summoned following sanctions against Israeli citizens and organizations.

US Ambassador summoned following sanctions against Israelis

US, Australia, India, Japan demand immediate ceasefire in Gaza

'The Quad,' made up of the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, published a joint statement demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of a Palestinian state.

US, Australia, India, Japan demand immediate ceasefire in Gaza

In first, Japan sanctions Israelis

Four Israelis from Judea and Samaria were named by the Japanese Foreign Ministry as 'Israeli settlers involved in violent acts' and subjected to an asset freeze.

In first, Japan sanctions Israelis

North Korea fires ballistic missile

Japan and South Korea say North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile, which reportedly landed in the sea.

North Korea fires ballistic missile

North Korea informs Japan of intent to launch a satellite

Japan says North Korea has informed it of a plan to launch a satellite by June 3.

North Korea informs Japan of intent to launch a satellite

'The worst in 25 years'

4 dead, 711 injured, 77 missing in earthquake in Taiwan

7.4 magnitude earthquake rocks the entire island of Taiwan, collapsing buildings and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands.

4 dead, 711 injured, 77 missing in earthquake in Taiwan

Japan to restore funding to UNRWA

Japan to lift suspension of funding to UN “Palestinian refugees” agency, which was cut after Israel said that 12 UNRWA staff had taken part in Hamas’ October 7 attack.

Japan to restore funding to UNRWA

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

'Extremely concerned'

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

Researchers:

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

Seventh time in recent weeks:

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

Sixth time in two weeks

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

For the first time in a decade

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

Ukraine War:

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