The Latest Breaking News from Kyodo

Japan court upholds ban on same-sex marriage

Japan is the only G7 nation that doesn’t allow people of the same gender to marry.

Al Jazeera · Jun 20, 2022

North Korea abruptly stops importing COVID containment goods from China

North Korea abruptly stopped importing COVID-19 prevention and control products from China in May, trade data released by Beijing showed, after the country bought face masks and ventilators from its neighbour in previous months.

Reuters · Jun 20, 2022

Japan's top court says government not responsible for Fukushima damage

Japan's government is not liable for damages demanded by people whose lives were devastated by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the country's top court said on Friday, the first such ruling in a series of similar cases.

Reuters · Jun 17, 2022

North Korea reports 96,020 more people with fever symptoms

North Korea reported 96,020 more people showing fever symptoms and no additional deaths amid the country's first confirmed coronavirus outbreak, state media KCNA said on Tuesday.

Reuters · May 30, 2022

N.Korea lifts COVID lockdown amid 'stable' virus situation -media

North Korea has lifted movement restrictions imposed in the capital Pyongyang after its first admission of COVID-19 outbreak weeks ago, media reported, as the isolated country says the virus situation is now under control.

Reuters · May 30, 2022

N.Korea stockpiled Chinese masks, vaccines before reporting COVID-19 outbreak

In the months before it acknowledged its first official COVID-19 outbreak, North Korea suddenly imported millions of face masks, 1,000 ventilators, and possibly vaccines from China, trade data released by Beijing showed.

Reuters · May 27, 2022

Widespread Disbelief over N. Korea’s Tiny COVID Death Rate

According to North Korea, its fight against COVID-19 has been impressive: About 3.3 million people have been reported sick with fevers, but only 69 have died. If all are coronavirus cases, that's a fatality rate of 0.002%, something no other country, including the world's richest, has achieved against a disease…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 27, 2022

Behind the scenes in Japan, a welcome for Biden's defence of Taiwan

For Japan, U.S. President Joe Biden's comment he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan signalled no formal change in policy. But behind the scenes in Tokyo, it was seen as a welcome warning at a time of growing alarm over China.

Reuters · May 24, 2022

Taiwan overshadows Quad talks, Japan scrambles jets

Japan scrambled jets after Russian and Chinese warplanes neared its airspace during a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, with Tokyo conveying "grave concerns" about what it saw as a provocative move timed to coincide with the Quad summit.

Reuters · May 24, 2022

North Korea's fever cases under 200,000 for 2nd day amid silence on aid offer

North Korea's daily fever cases stayed below 200,000 for a second day in a row, state media said on Monday, as Pyongyang remained silent on South Korean and U.S. offers to help fight its first confirmed COVID-19 outbreak.

Reuters · May 22, 2022