The Latest Breaking News from Tokyo

China’s Xi set for Japan summit as mends ties with US allies

TOKYO — Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to hold his first in-person meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday, the latest in a series of summits that appeared aimed at calming tensions with U.S. allies.

Tribune News Service · Nov 17, 2022

Japan Kishida calls for French cooperation on free, open Indo-Pacific

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told French President Emmanual Macron on Tuesday that Tokyo hopes to strengthen cooperation with France toward achieving a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

Reuters · Nov 15, 2022

Department stores welcome back tourists

Major department stores are stepping up their efforts to accommodate foreign visitors as they anticipate the return of strong sales.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 15, 2022

Russian ambassador blames Japan for strained relations

Russia’s ambassador to Tokyo has blamed Japan for straining relations between the countries by imposing sanctions on Moscow over its war with Ukraine

The Independent UK · Nov 11, 2022

Golden canopy

Visitors admire the leaves of ginkgo trees Friday in Showa Kinen Park, which straddles the cities of Tachikawa and Akishima in Tokyo. About 100 ginkgo trees lining an avenue inside the park have turned an alluring golden-yellow. People snapped pictures of the trees as they strolled along the avenue, soaking…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 11, 2022

Festive path of light

Passersby walk under zelkova trees lit up by 800,000 blue and white LED lights along a street in Roppongi Hills in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Thursday. Sponsored by Mori Building Co., the annual illuminations along Keyakizaka street are being held for the 20th time. Visitors can admire the festive lights…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 11, 2022

Takahashi used connections to 'line his own pockets'

Prosecutors have effectively wrapped up their investigation into a former executive board member of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee for allegedly accepting bribes worth almost 200 million yen. But as Haruyuki Takahashi continues to protest his innocence in this high-profile case, an all-out battle looms between his defense…

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 10, 2022

Inflation brings end to beloved 114-year-old Japanese candy

A beloved Japanese candy eaten by generations, so iconic it even appeared in a hit anime film, has come to the end of the line, a victim of surging raw material and energy prices.

Reuters · Nov 9, 2022

Earthquake hits Japan's Ibaraki prefecture, no tsunami warning

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 hit Japan's Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Wednesday, but no tsunami warning was issued, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Reuters · Nov 9, 2022

Tokyo launches new system to recognize LGBTQ couples

Tokyo launched a system Nov. 1 officially recognizing couples where at least one of the individuals is a sexual minority, giving them access to some of the same administrative services available to married couples. The system recognizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) partnerships.

The Japan News/Yomiuri · Nov 8, 2022