Japan, UK, Italy bolster cooperation on fighter jet development

SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The leaders of Japan, Britain and Italy strengthened their commitment to collaborate on a next-generation fighter aircraft project, marking a key milestone in their defense partnership. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), uniting aerospace leaders Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems and Leonardo, targets deployment of the advanced fighter jet by 2035, officials said on Tuesday during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro

November 20, 2024

Japan, Britain to establish economic security dialogue

SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Japan and Britain have agreed to create a new ministerial-level framework focused on economic security and trade, marking Tokyo's second such arrangement following a similar agreement with the United States, officials announced on Monday. The agreement, reached during talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, will bring together economic and foreign ministers from

November 19, 2024

BOJ governor hints at further rate hike amid inflation concerns

SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is considering additional interest rate increases to combat inflation risks and ensure sustainable economic growth, as market speculation grows over a potential December rate hike. "I think that gradually adjusting the degree of accommodation in line with the improvement in economic activity and prices will support long-term economic growth," BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said in a speech on Monday to business leaders in Nagoy

November 19, 2024

Former Japan governor wins reelection despite abuse claims

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Motohiko Saito, the former governor of Japan's Hyogo Prefecture who was ousted over allegations of power abuse, has won back his position. Saito, 47, defeated his main rival, Kazumi Inamura, 52, the former mayor of Amagasaki city, on Sunday in a race that highlighted deep divisions within the region's political establishment. The election followed Saito's automatic removal from office in September after a unanimous no-confidence vote by th

November 18, 2024

Japan PM postpones Trump meeting over legal concerns

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's planned meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been postponed due to legal restrictions. "We are considering holding a meeting as soon as possible at a time that is most convenient for both sides," Ishiba said on Saturday while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru. The Logan Act, which prohibits private citizens from conducting diplomatic negotiations with fore

November 18, 2024

Japan rejects calls to abolish death penalty

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Japan's government dismissed proposals to end capital punishment, defying mounting pressure from legal experts and international bodies to reconsider its position on executions. "The death penalty is unavoidable for a person who has committed an extremely grave and atrocious crime," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Thursday at a press conference in Tokyo. The decision came after a 16-member advisory panel, comprising forme

November 15, 2024

Japan, Britain to hold economic talks amid Trump trade concerns

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Japan and Britain are to hold ministerial talks on economic security ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House. The initiative will bring together foreign and economic ministers from both countries, political sources said on Thursday. The discussions are expected to commence following next week's G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro where Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to meet. The prop

November 15, 2024

Japan premier undergoes second health check amid drowsiness concerns

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba underwent his second medical examination in less than a week, following an incident where he appeared to doze off during a parliamentary proceeding, raising questions about his health condition. "There is no impact on his official duties," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday, explaining that the 30-minute checkup was a routine procedure ahead of his scheduled attend

November 14, 2024

Japan blocks nuclear reactor restart over seismic safety concerns

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Japan's nuclear regulator rejected the restart application for a nuclear reactor in central Japan, marking the first denial since the country overhauled its atomic power safety standards following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) concluded that the No. 2 reactor at the Tsuruga power station, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co., failed to meet safety requirements due to concerns about an active fault line running beneat

November 14, 2024

Japan's Ishiba to meet China's Xi at APEC summit

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold their first summit meeting on Friday in Peru, marking their first direct talks since Ishiba took office in October. The meeting, as told by government sources on Tuesday, is scheduled on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Ishiba and Xi's summit comes amid tensions over China's military activities near Japan, including an airs

November 13, 2024