About: Japan
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).
Britain signs first major post-Brexit trade deal with Japan
Britain and Japan formally signed a trade agreement on Friday (23 October), marking the UK's first big post-Brexit deal on trade, as it continues to struggle to agree on a deal with its closest trading partners in the European Union.
Major economies talk green recovery, hydrogen at Japanese summit
Major economies promised to recover green after COVID-19 and accelerate climate action during a virtual ministerial meeting hosted by Japan on Thursday (3 September). EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
World’s first ‘carbon-capture at sea’ set for shipping trials
Japanese shipbuilding giant Mitsubishi announced on Monday (31 August) that it will build and test a carbon-capture system for ships, which is aimed at significantly reducing the emissions of the maritime sector.
Hiroshima marks 75 years since atomic bombing in scaled-back ceremony
Bells tolled in Hiroshima on Thursday for the 75th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing, with ceremonies downsized due to the coronavirus and the city’s mayor urging nations to reject selfish nationalism and unite to fight all threats.
Japanese FM in UK for post-Brexit trade talks
Japan's foreign minister on Wednesday (5 August) began a three-day trip to Britain in a bid to wrap up negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement.
UK in 5G talks with suppliers from Japan, South Korea
British officials have discussed supplies of 5G networking equipment with companies in South Korea and Japan as part of a bid to develop alternatives to China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
EU and Japan commit to avoiding ‘unnecessary barriers’ in times of COVID-19
Leaders of the EU and Japan agreed on Tuesday (26 May) to avoid “unnecessary travel and export restrictions” to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, and to work together to defend multilateralism.
Merkel warns on EU’s future as US braces for worst of virus
European leaders battling a deadly coronavirus outbreak are facing the "biggest test" to their union, Germany's leader said Monday (6 April), as the United States braced for what authorities warned would be its hardest week in living memory.
Tokyo Olympics delayed until 2021
The Tokyo summer Olympiad was postponed on Tuesday (24 March) to 2021, the first such delay in the Games’ 124-year modern history, as the coronavirus crisis wrecked one of the last international sporting showpieces still standing this year.
German raids over suspected Mitsubishi diesel fraud
German prosecutors have raided 10 business premises as part of a probe into suspected diesel emissions cheating involving Mitsubishi cars, the latest fallout from the so-called "dieselgate" scandal.
COP25 news and views: What’s happening in Madrid (part 3)
As UN climate negotiations enter their second and decisive week, EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on of the 25th climate conference in Madrid (COP25) and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: Badges taken away, German satisfaction, French absence, and fighting in Tokyo.
Trade and horsetrade: Top five hot-button G20 issues
Global trade, geopolitical hotspots around the world and even horse-trading over top EU jobs, G20 leaders have a lot of their plate when they meet from Friday (28 June) in Osaka.