IMF cuts Japan's growth outlook to 0.3 percent

SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced Japan's economic growth forecast for 2024 to 0.3 percent from its July projection of 0.7 percent, citing disruptions in the automotive supply chain and a cooling tourism boom. The Washington-based institution said on Tuesday Japan's growth trajectory would improve to 1.1 percent in 2025, reflecting anticipated increases in wages and domestic consumption, while maintaining its broader global growth foreca

October 23, 2024

U.S. stealth fighter completes maiden landing on Japanese vessel

SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter successfully executed its first vertical landing on Japan's Kaga destroyer off the coast of San Diego, California. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) said on Monday that the touchdown, which occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, marks a milestone in Japan's initiative to transform the Izumo-class destroyer into an aircraft carrier capable of supporting advanced fighter operations.

October 22, 2024

IAEA confirms Japan's 10th Fukushima water release meets safety standards

SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that the 10th release of treated radioactive water from Japan's tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant contains radioactive nuclide levels well below the country's operational safety threshold. According to real-time data provided to IAEA by Japan's largest power generator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) on Monday, the tritium concentration in the diluted water measured 460 becqu

October 22, 2024

Support for Japan's opposition parties grows ahead of general election: poll

SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - Support for Japan's opposition parties is rising ahead of the Oct. 27 general election, as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) grapples with a recent funding scandal, a Kyodo News poll showed. The survey revealed on Sunday that while 22.6 percent of respondents said that they plan to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the election, 14.1 percent supported the CDPJ, the gap narrowing to 8.5 percentage points. In single

October 21, 2024

Suspect in attack on Japan's ruling party HQ referred to prosecution

SEOUL, October 21 (AJP) - A man suspected of attacking the headquarters of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo was referred to prosecutors Sunday, authorities said. The suspect, identified as Atsunobu Usuda, 49, allegedly hurled multiple Molotov cocktails at the LDP building on Saturday before driving to the Prime Minister's Office, where he crashed into a fence and set his vehicle ablaze. Police found numerous Moloto

October 21, 2024

Japan approves 50-plus-year operation for oldest nuclear reactor

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Japan's nuclear regulator has authorized the continued operation of the country's oldest nuclear reactor, allowing it to run beyond 50 years, officials said on Wednesday. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) endorsed Kansai Electric Power Co.'s decade-long management plan for the No. 1 reactor at the Takahama plant in central Japan. The facility's Nos. 1 and 2 reactors were approved in June 2016 to operate beyond 40 years. In 2023, both

October 17, 2024

Japan's Ishiba sends offering to controversial Yasukuni Shrine

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba forwarded a ritual offering to Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday, the first day of its autumn festival. Sources close to the prime minister said Ishiba, who assumed office on Oct. 1, is expected to abstain from visiting the shrine in person during the three-day festival. The move follows a pattern set by his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, who also refrained from personal visits, in contrast to former P

October 17, 2024

China rebukes Japan's proposal for 'Asian NATO'

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Beijing criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's suggestion to establish a NATO-like security alliance in Asia, urging Tokyo to exercise caution in its security policies. The proposal, which Ishiba described as "essential to deter China," was unveiled in a commentary for a U.S. think tank shortly before he assumed office on Oct. 1. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Tuesday that Japan has "hyped up a non-exis

October 16, 2024

Japan kicks off election campaign amid ruling party scandal

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Japan has begun an official campaign for the Oct. 27 general election as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeks to secure a fresh mandate amidst a slush fund scandal plaguing his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The 12-day campaign period began on Tuesday for the election in which 1,344 candidates compete for 465 seats in the House of Representatives. The LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, aim to maintain their majority, while the opposition Constitutio

October 16, 2024

Japan's Ishiba calls for Asian security discussions

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba directed the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to initiate talks on bolstering security measures in Asia. The move comes amid heightened regional tensions, with China commencing large-scale military exercises around Taiwan. Ishiba, who heads the LDP, is reportedly considering proposals to revise the Japan-U.S. status of forces agreement and establish an Asian equivalent of NATO, sources said on Monday. "Pea

October 15, 2024