Politics

The Type 20 service rifle used by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force was unveiled in 2020 and first issued the following year. 
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Japan's armorers differ on increased defense spending

Small SDF market discourages investment by some arms makers

4 November 2023
Nine U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules planes conduct an "elephant walk" at Yokota Air Base on Jan. 31. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. bolsters Yokota Air Base defenses with microgrid

Base in Japan can go into 'island mode' if main power source is attacked

4 November 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. take part in a welcome ceremony at Malacanang Palace in Manila. 
Defense

Japan to give Philippines coastal radars, deepening security ties

Kishida, Marcos agree to start talks on new defense pact to boost deterrence

4 November 2023
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's economic measures aim to improve labor incentives as well as productivity. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Economy

Japan's Kishida seeks economic transformation with ambitious stimulus

$250bn plan aims to raise potential growth rate to 1% through structural reforms

3 November 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head to Asia after visiting Tel Aviv and Amman.
International relations

Blinken to visit Japan, South Korea and India next week

China and North Korea on agenda for U.S. secretary of state and Asian leaders

3 November 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa vows continued diplomatic efforts toward the Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 2. (Photo by Yuki Fujita)
Middle East crisis

Japan foreign minister heads to Israel to urge humanitarian pause

Kamikawa to meet Israeli, Palestinian counterparts as crisis deepens

3 November 2023
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “Wage increases are not keeping pace with price rises,” after the government unveiled tax cuts to boost spending. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
Politics

Japan approves $110bn stimulus package to fight inflation

New measures include tax cuts as Kishida's popularity plunges

2 November 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa plans to invite Central Asian counterparts to attend an upcoming G7 gathering online.
2 November 2023
Stream article image
The Big Story

China's panda business: How zoos from U.S. to Japan fund Beijing soft power

'Panda diplomacy' has cost countries nearly $300 million over past three decades

1 November 2023
A Philippine naval ship participates in the ASEAN Fleet Review in May. Japan wants to strengthen its defense partnership with the Philippines, including by facilitating joint drills.
Defense

Japan envisions 'quasi-alliance' with Philippines

Kishida to pave way for new security pact to counter China's maritime ambitions

1 November 2023
The Bank of Japan on Tuesday made its second adjustment to its yield curve control (YCC) framework in three months. (Nikkei montage)
Bank of Japan

BOJ discards explicit 1% ceiling for 10-year JGB yields

Central bank raises inflation projections but not as much as market expected

31 October 2023
Dialogue between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping is critical for bilateral ties. (Source photos obtained by Nikkei)
Comment

Japan and China need to reinforce decrepit diplomatic 'iron bridge'

Top-level dialogue is crucial to manage risk and allay mutual distrust

30 October 2023
Japan's government wants the ideas and energy that international talent can bring to the economy. (Photo courtesy of Best Beer Japan)
Japan immigration

Japan to ease residency rules for foreigners starting a business

Founders could stay for up to 2 years without investment

30 October 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions about his government's economic policy in the lower house budget committee on Oct. 27. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Politics

Japan PM Kishida's approval rating hits new low: Nikkei poll

65% say proposed tax cut inappropriate as inflation relief

29 October 2023
Unlike the G7 finance ministers' meeting two weeks ago, which condemned "terror attacks" on Israel by Hamas, the trade ministers did not mention the Middle East crisis, saying only that they "seek to raise awareness about the challenges of moving humanitarian goods across international borders during natural disasters and other emergencies".
Trade

G7 calls for immediate repeal of bans on Japanese food, pressing China

Trade ministers denounce what they consider its rising economic coercion through trade

29 October 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to China from Nov. 4 to 7 to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Your Week in Asia

BOJ policy meeting, Hong Kong FinTech Week, Australia PM visits China

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

29 October 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden must, with his key allies, weigh how to deter China or North Korea from taking advantage of conflict in Gaza and Ukraine. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images)
Comment

Tensions in Middle East threaten security in Asia

U.S. and allies should boost deterrence against China, North Korea

29 October 2023
"No other part of the world will see such a big growth opportunity" as India, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told Nikkei on Oct. 27. (Photo by Shigeru Seno)
Interview

Japan firms should not 'miss bus' on India, commerce chief says

New Delhi ready to roll out 'red-carpet treatment' for companies that invest

28 October 2023
A man takes part in a cybersecurity training session in Israel. 
Middle East crisis

Israel-Hamas war draws Russian, Indian 'hacktivists' into shadow conflict

Escalation could lead to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, experts say

27 October 2023
Workers clean solar panels in Gujarat, India. Japan plans to invest in carbon reduction projects in the Global South as part of a $13 billion initiative.
International relations

Japan aims for $13bn in Global South investments: economic minister

Urban mining, medical services and education offer opportunities for cooperation

27 October 2023
Japan's Supreme Court on Oct. 25 ruled unconstitutional a legal provision requiring those seeking official recognition of a gender change to undergo sterilization.  (Photo by Yuta Shimazaki)
Gender

Japan's top court scraps transgender sterilization rule: 3 things to know

Landmark ruling reflects societal changes, but challenges remain

26 October 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, and U.S. President Joe Biden depart a joint news conference in the Rose Garden at the White House on Oct. 25.
Indo-Pacific

U.S. and Australia agree to cooperate with Japan on military drones

Biden and Albanese discuss defense partnership under complex challenges

26 October 2023
Students from the Hebrew University in Israel visited the Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall, in his birth prefecture of Gifu, in September. (Photo courtesy of Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall)
Middle East crisis

Birthplace of 'Japan's Schindler' sees tourism falter amid Israel-Hamas war

Visits to Chiune Sugihara memorial were growing before conflict broke out

25 October 2023
The Japanese government plans to offer a one-time tax break to help consumers struggling under higher prices. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Politics

Japan weighs one-time $260 tax cut to ease inflation's pain

With cash assistance, relief package seen totaling $33bn

25 October 2023
Toshi Yoshihara is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington. (Photo by Masahiro Okoshi)
International relations

China missile edge over U.S. puts Japan at risk of threats: analyst

CSBA's Yoshihara sees Middle East conflict drawing American attention from Asia

24 October 2023