About: Japan
Japan scrambles jets after Russian, Chinese warplanes near airspace during Quad
Japan scrambled jets after Russian and Chinese warplanes neared its airspace on Tuesday (24 May), when Tokyo was hosting the leaders of the Quad grouping of countries that includes the United States, Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said.
Quad leaders vow free and open Indo-Pacific, action on climate
The leaders of the "Quad" group vowed on 24 May to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to fight climate change, as they met for talks aimed at standing up to an increasingly assertive China.
On Asia trip, Biden says would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan
US President Joe Biden said on 23 May he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan, while an aide said the comment represented no change in US policy toward the self-ruled island.
In Tokyo, Biden endorses Japan’s plan to beef up its defences
US President Joe Biden on Monday (23 May) endorsed Japan's plan to beef up its defence capabilities as he and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida committed to working closely to counter China's growing influence in Asia.
Russia ‘most direct threat to world order’, von der Leyen says at EU-Japan summit
Russia is the "most direct threat" to the international order because of its invasion of Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday (12 May) in Tokyo.
Germany signs hydrogen cooperation agreement with India
Germany’s economy and climate minister Robert Habeck and India’s energy minister R.K. Singh have signed an agreement on German-Indian hydrogen cooperation following multiple rounds of consultations.
Japan protests Russian halt to World War Two peace treaty talks
Japan reacted angrily on Tuesday (22 March) after Russia withdrew from peace treaty talks with Japan and froze joint economic projects related to the disputed Kuril islands because of sanctions imposed by Tokyo over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy says everything on table if Putin meets
Ukrainian leader Volodymr Zelenskyy said all issues would be on the table if Russia's Vladimir Putin agreed to direct talks to end the war, including contested Crimea and Donbas, but he warned his country would be "destroyed" before it surrenders.
Germany goes on a mission to secure supplies of Qatari gas
Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck visited Qatar over the weekend in a bid to secure alternatives to Russian gas supplies, with little chance of immediate success in a country seen with suspicion in Germany for its human rights violations.
Russian sanctions over Ukraine grow, Biden to talk to Xi
Japan and Australia on Friday (18 March) imposed new sanctions on Russian entities as punishment for the invasion of Ukraine, which the West says has been stalled by staunch resistance but continues to take a devastating toll on civilians.
EU says it is prepared for partial disruption of Russian gas flows
The European Union would be able to cope with a partial disruption to gas imports from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
IMF board decision hangs over Georgieva as IMF-World Bank annual meetings begin
Data-rigging allegations against IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva were set to loom over the opening of week-long IMF-World Bank annual meetings on Monday (11 October) as the Fund's executive board failed to conclude its review after yet another marathon meeting.
Factbox: An intensifying arms race in Asia
Analysts warn that Asia may be sliding into an accelerating arms race as countries react to China's military growth. Here is a list of defence systems several Asian countries are looking to acquire.
EU aims for bigger diplomatic weight on Indo-Pacific matters
The European Union outlined on Thursday (16 September) a new strategy for raising its presence in the Indo-Pacific and counter China's increasing influence in the region, which has become the latest arena of the international geopolitical race.
EU wants its flag to fly at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony
European Commissioner Margaritis Schinas and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa on Sunday (18 July) said they had asked athletes from Slovenia – currently holding the EU Council’s rotating presidency – to be allowed to bear the bloc’s starred flag as well as their own national flag at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
Japan says China’s military strategy unclear, of serious concern
Japan said on Thursday (17 June) China's military intentions are unclear and its armed forces' rapid expansion is of serious concern, circumstances that require Europe, the United States and other Asian nations to come together to stand up to Beijing.
EU, Japan seal ‘green alliance’ in bid for climate neutrality
The European Union and Japan have reaffirmed their “shared ambition of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050” at the conclusion of a bilateral summit which included the signature of an EU-Japan “Green Alliance”.
Blinken says China is acting aggressively and repressively in Asia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (17 March) that China was acting aggressively and repressively, citing its actions in the East and South China Seas where it has territorial disputes with Japan and other Asian nations.
Ten years on, Japan mourns victims of earthquake and Fukushima disaster
With a moment of silence, prayers and anti-nuclear protests, Japan on Thursday (11 March) mourned about 20,000 victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan 10 years ago, destroying towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima.
EU foreign ministers to push for global fossil fuel phase-out
European Union foreign ministers will promote a global phase out of fossil fuels and reaffirm commitments to funding climate adaptation at a meeting on Monday (25 January).
Asia-Pacific closes in on world’s biggest trade deal
Fifteen Asia-Pacific economies are set to conclude talks on Sunday (15 November) and sign what could become the world’s largest free trade agreement, covering nearly a third of the global population and about 30% of its global gross domestic product.
Hydrogen trade hopes boosted by Australia-Germany deal
A bilateral agreement aimed at increasing German imports of hydrogen produced from solar power plants in Australia could set a milestone in efforts to establish a global hydrogen market.
Japan matches EU climate pledge with net-zero carbon goal for 2050
Japan will join the EU in aiming for net zero emissions by 2050, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced on Monday (26 October).