Politics

Japanese, U.S. and other foreign companies control the majority of the office equipment market in China, but have threatened to pull out in response to technology transfer requirements.
Politics

China weighs easing tech transfer rules for office gear

Government appears to relent after foreign manufacturers threaten pullout

26 July 2023
A French Rafale fighter jet flies during a 2018 exercise. Dassault Aviation, the jet's manufacturer, describes it as "compact, yet extremely powerful, superbly agile and very discreet."
Defense

France's Rafale fighters swoop into Japan for first joint drills

Training comes as Macron leads Paris' outreach in Indo-Pacific

26 July 2023
The Japanese government is NTT's largest single shareholder, with a stake slightly above the legal requirement of one-third. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
Politics

Japan weighs selling rest of NTT stake for defense funding

Full privatization of telecom company on the table, despite legal hurdles

26 July 2023
A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force UH-2 helicopter on display in March. The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency will hold an exhibition in Osaka in October that will feature up to 40 startups. (Photo by Ryo Nemoto)
Defense

Japan to encourage 200 high-tech startups to join defense sector

Ministries to consult with companies on drones, cyberdefense and other topics

25 July 2023
Visitors stand in front of a giant screen displaying Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military museum in Beijing. Some Japanese experts say a China-led international system is an unrealistic scenario.
Indo-Pacific

'China-led order won't materialize': Japan experts call for realism

Tokyo should team with 'middle powers' for more autonomy, new report says

25 July 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's approval rating slid to 39% in June in Nikkei polling, while his Liberal Democratic Party hit a 10-year low. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Politics

Japan PM Kishida's support hits 3rd slump as ruling LDP wobbles

Lack of threats to party had kept leader safe, but dip in polls stirs concern

25 July 2023
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning: She said on July 24 that Beijing "will closely monitor the impact of [Japan's] regulatory policy."
International relations

China 'dissatisfied' with Japan's chip equipment export controls

Beijing issues muted initial response to new rules that took effect Sunday

24 July 2023
A TV screen in Tokyo broadcasts a report on the death of Johnny Kitagawa, founder of Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates, on July 10, 2019.
Society

U.N. group begins probe of alleged Japan talent agency sex abuse

Visit brings global scrutiny to accusations in entertainment industry

24 July 2023
Fire jugglers in Moscow. Global events can give the impression that everything is spinning out of control.
Comment

How to navigate a world of swinging pendulums

Era of complexities defies simplistic answers like small government, globalization

24 July 2023
Boys play at a gaming festival in Dubai in 2019: The Middle East gaming market has been experiencing remarkable growth.
Opinion

Japan should look beyond energy in its Middle East outreach

Growth of region's gaming market has created opportunity for Tokyo's soft power

24 July 2023
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks at a news conference in April. The central bank is this week set to make its latest monetary policy decision.
Your Week in Asia

Marcos State of the Nation Address, Thailand PM choice, BOJ meeting

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

23 July 2023
Japan now requires export licenses for semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. (Photo by Masayuki Kozono)
Semiconductors

Japan's new chip equipment export rules take effect Sunday

Tokyo aligns with Washington to keep most advanced technology out of China's hands

23 July 2023
Sushil Bhatta, chief executive officer of the state-run Investment Board Nepal, in Tokyo during a visit to promote investment from Japan to his country. (Photo by Hirofumi Miyoshi)
Economy

Nepal investment board chief confident of attracting overseas money

South Asian country focuses on clean energy and IT, looks to work with Japan

22 July 2023
Gen. Mark Milley, U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with reporters while attending a NATO meeting in Brussels on June 15.
Interview

Japan 'key' in handling any Indo-Pacific contingency: top U.S. general

India is 'very important' strategic ally for free, open region, says Gen. Milley

22 July 2023
Moscow said the exercise will involve naval combat, ship escort drills and live artillery fire. (Photo courtesy of the Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters)
Indo-Pacific

China and Russia kick off military exercises in Sea of Japan

Drills aim to counter U.S.-Japan-South Korea cooperation, improve joint operations

21 July 2023
From left, Sung Kim, Takehiro Funakoshi and Kim Gunn, the top U.S., Japanese and South Korean representatives on North Korea, met on July 20 in Japan's Nagano prefecture. (Photo by Ryo Nemoto)
International relations

U.S., Japan, South Korea head into Camp David summit with fast-paced diplomacy

Pyongyang shrugs off 50-plus discussions in 2022 as missile launches continue

21 July 2023
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, left, with Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo in 2022. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

The right lessons to take from Australia-Japan defense cooperation

RAA negotiations should be seen as exceptional rather than as a benchmark

20 July 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has faced major headwinds over registration errors uncovered in Japan's My Number system.
Politics

Speculation grows for Kishida cabinet reshuffle in September

Japanese PM faces falling support on My Number trouble

19 July 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, center, meets with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, far right, in Doha on July 18.
Energy

Qatar 'prepared' to ensure stable LNG supply, emir tells Japan PM

Kishida seeks to help companies acquire energy interests

19 July 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan wear wristbands for the COP28 climate conference at a meeting in Abu Dhabi on July 17.
International relations

Japan seeks UAE investments in chips, batteries via new framework

Tokyo offers support with ammonia tech for gradual decarbonization

18 July 2023
Officers from the Japan Self-Defense Forces, facing toward camera, hold a discussion with representatives from a Chinese military-affiliated think tank in Beijing in July 17. (Photo courtesy of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation)
Defense

Japanese, Chinese defense officers revive exchanges after 4 years

Countries increase communication to avoid clashes, including near Senkakus

18 July 2023
A semiconductor chip designer works on a computer component in the Indian city of Bangalore. Japan and India hope to bolster partnerships between businesses from their two countries for advanced industries.
Semiconductors

Japan and India to discuss joint chip, hydrogen development

Tokyo sees chance to provide infrastructure assistance, improve supply chains

17 July 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 16.
International relations

Japan and Saudi Arabia agree to launch regular diplomatic dialogue

PM Kishida meets with crown prince on three-day tour of Middle East

17 July 2023
Saudi Aramco aims to produce as much as 11 million tonnes of ammonia a year by 2030.
Energy

Japan to team with Saudi Arabia on joint ammonia production

Leaders set to agree on framework for public-private initiative

16 July 2023
Much of the world's rare-earth metals, which are used in electric vehicles and other products, are currently produced in China.
Materials

Japan and Saudi Arabia seek joint rare-earth investments

Both sides plan to diversify supply chains amid rising EV demand

15 July 2023