The Latest Breaking News from Japan

Habitual mask-wearing is likely helping Japan, Singapore and South Korea bring daily Omicron deaths down, epidemiologists say

There is "a really quite important cultural difference" in Asia that epidemiologists suggest is having a dramatic impact on their daily rate of COVID-19 deaths.

ABC News · Jul 31, 2022

Japanese man detained by Myanmar police at anti-coup protest

Myanmar police on Saturday detained a Japanese man who was taking part in an anti-coup protest in Yangon, local media reported.

Bangkok Post · Jul 31, 2022

S. Korea moves to avoid Japan asset sale

SEOUL -- South Korea's Foreign Affairs Ministry has submitted an opinion to the country's top court explaining the new administration's efforts to resolve a lawsuit involving Japanese companies and former wartime requisitioned workers from the Korean Peninsula -- an issue that has deeply divided the two nations -- a source…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Jul 31, 2022

NSW trade trip to Asia hobbled by scandals

After spending time in Japan, South Korea and India, Premier Dominic Perrottet has returned to more scrutiny as two ministerial scandals roil his leadership

AAP · Jul 31, 2022

Political Pulse / Is there a path to Kishida's vision of a world free of nuclear weapons?

On Aug. 1, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will become the first Japanese prime minister to address the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in New York. It is rare for national leaders to take part in NPT review conferences, which are usually held every five years, and Kishida's participation will…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Jul 30, 2022

Political Pulse / Would legalized gambling pollute the clean image of Japanese sports?

A draft proposal by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry (METI) to lift the ban on sports betting has caused a stir in Japan. While there are those who accept the idea that it will help revitalize the sports industry, others argue that such a move should not be rushed…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Jul 30, 2022

Japan's Hayashi says 'logic of brute force' gaining traction in Indo-Pacific

Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi sounded the alarm about China's behavior in the Indo-Pacific during a visit to Washington on Friday, saying the "logic of brute force" was gaining more traction over the rule of law in the region.

Reuters · Jul 29, 2022

Japan's traditional crafts are struggling to survive the country's population decline

The city of Kanazawa produces most of Japan's fine gold leaf, but there aren't enough young people to take over the craft. The same situation is playing out for small family businesses across Japan.

WEKU · Jul 29, 2022

Getting to know Honma Golf, a breakout performer in 2022

Sixty-three years. Few equipment companies have been around for as long as Honma Golf. Founded in Sakata, Japan, in 1959, Honma is a legendary, luxury lifestyle brand in its homeland. By contrast, many golfers in the U.S. might be unfamiliar with ...

USA Today Sports Media Group · Jul 29, 2022

U.S., Japan to cooperate on semiconductors as part of new economic dialogue

The United States and Japan launched a new high-level economic dialogue on Friday aimed at pushing back against China and countering the disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters · Jul 29, 2022