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June 22, 2026
 

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Jesse Johnson
The Typhon ground-launched missile system is displayed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercise by the U.S. Marines and the Self-Defense Forces last September.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2026
U.S. to deploy powerful midrange missile system to Japan for joint drills
The deployment of the land-based Typhon system is seen as part of a more robust allied approach to countering China¡¯s growing military assertiveness in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump with Adm. Harry Harris (center right), head of the U.S. Pacific Command, at the command's headquarters in Hawaii in November 2017
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 17, 2026
Pentagon restores U.S. military¡¯s Pacific Command moniker, dropping ¡®Indo¡¯
The command¡¯s vast area of responsibility ¡°remains exactly the same,¡± the Pentagon said, with the move coming amid soured U.S.-India ties.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends her first Group of Seven summit on Monday in Evian-les-Bains, France.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 16, 2026
Takaichi proposes G7 framework for stockpiling critical minerals
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pitched a plan for coordinating critical mineral stockpiles among the group and like-minded nations, amid China¡¯s tight grip on key supply chains.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watch a welcome performance at Pyongyang Gymnasium on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 9, 2026
What was left unsaid may be biggest takeaway from Xi-Kim summit
The lack of any public reference to North Korea¡¯s nuclear program during the talks has reinforced the perception that China no longer views denuclearization as a viable option.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attend a ceremony at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 8, 2026
China¡¯s Xi vows boosted ties with Kim, but avoids North Korea nuclear issue
Chinese leader Xi Jinping stressed China¡¯s ¡°firm commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of the two countries¡± during a rare summit with North Korea¡¯s Kim Jong Un.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatched its Kongo destroyer and the South Korean Navy sent its Cheon Ja Bong landing ship for a joint search-and-rescue exercise in waters west of the Goto Islands on Sunday.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2026
Japanese and South Korean navies hold first joint drills in nine years
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi hailed the resumption of exercises as signaling ¡°a new chapter¡± in bilateral defense cooperation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping at Pyongyang International Airport in the North Korean capital in this photo released June 21, 2019.
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Jun 7, 2026
Ahead of talks, Kim has a message for Xi: North Korea¡¯s nukes aren¡¯t up for negotiation
North Korea has been clear in the run-up to Chinese leader Xi Jinping¡¯s visit to Pyongyang that it is hoping for at least a tacit recognition of its nuclear status.
The Maritime Self Defense Force's Asagiri-class destroyer Setogiri is docked for a goodwill visit to Metro Manila in May 2018.
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2026
Japan and Indonesia to begin talks on exporting Asagiri-class destroyers
The agreement to begin working-level discussions is the latest in a push by Tokyo to transfer defense equipment to like-minded partners.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a newly inaugurated nuclear materials production factory at an undisclosed location in the country in this image released Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 4, 2026
North Korea¡¯s Kim says ¡®newly inaugurated¡¯ nuke site opens door to ¡®larger plans¡¯
Kim Jong Un said the suspected uranium-enrichment facility will help create an ¡°environment for going into the new next-stage of bolstering up the nuclear forces.¡±
China's Liaoning aircraft carrier takes part in a military drill in the western Pacific in April 2018.
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2026
Chinese aircraft carrier conducts drills east of Philippines
The exercises were reported as Beijing lashed out at Tokyo over its defense buildup and growing security ties with Manila.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 1, 2026
Japan taking cautious ¡ª if firm ¡ª approach to avoiding escalation with China
The absence of any direct mention of China in Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi¡¯s rebuttal against claims of a ¡°new militarism¡± in Japan highlights the country¡¯s careful approach.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday.
JAPAN
May 30, 2026
Hegseth says U.S. has ¡®high expectations¡® for Japan on defense spending
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has delivered a veiled warning to Tokyo, saying that while Japan was ¡°headed in the right direction,¡± more must be done.
The Japanese Defense Ministry said Friday it will send four officers from the Self-Defense Forces to the NATO Security Assistance and Training Organization for Ukraine (NSATU) ¡ª a command headquartered in the German town of Wiesbaden and launched in July 2024 to coordinate planning and arrange the delivery of security assistance to the war-torn country.
JAPAN
May 29, 2026
Japan to send SDF officers to NATO Ukraine command for first time
Tokyo will send four officers to the NATO Security Assistance and Training Organization for Ukraine to help coordinate planning and arrange the delivery of security assistance.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before a meeting at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 28, 2026
Japan and Philippines agree to elevate ties to new level amid China concerns
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also said they would begin formal negotiations on a key intelligence-sharing pact.
China's Liaoning aircraft carrier sails off Hong Kong in July 2017.
JAPAN
May 27, 2026
New Chinese frigate joins carrier strike group training in western Pacific for first time
China¡¯s dispatch of its Type 054B for its first far-seas training since entering service a year ago is a milestone in Beijing¡¯s push to punch further into the western Pacific.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (second right) shares a laugh with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (left), Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar (second left) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a "Quad" ministerial meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2026
¡®Quad¡¯ diplomats tout ¡®concrete¡¯ deliverables in bid to resuscitate partnership
Officials emphasized a clear future for the four-nation grouping, announcing new initiatives on critical minerals, maritime security and energy security.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions during an Upper House session at parliament in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 25, 2026
Xi strongly criticized Takaichi over Japan¡¯s ¡®remilitarization¡¯ during Trump summit
The Chinese leader became visibly agitated over Japan¡¯s increased defense spending, in one of the most heated parts of his summit with the U.S. president, a media report said.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. takes part in a news conference during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cebu, central Philippines, on May 8.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
May 24, 2026
Philippine leader¡¯s state visit to Japan to focus on shoring up defense ties
Energy security will also be on the agenda for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.¡¯s trip to Tokyo ¡ª the first state visit by the country¡¯s leader in more than a decade.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te speaks at a news conference on the second anniversary of him taking office, at the presidential building in Taipei on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 21, 2026
Trump says he¡¯ll speak to Taiwan leader, calling democratic island a ¡®problem¡¯
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would speak to Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te ¡ª a move that would break with years of diplomatic precedent.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pose for a photo during their meeting in Andong, South Korea, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
May 19, 2026
At talks, Takaichi and South Korea¡¯s Lee agree to bolster energy security
The move comes as concerns over energy supplies continue to rattle Asia amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Japan to raise visa fees for foreign nationals in first revision in 48 years
Tourists from abroad wearing kimonos pose for a souvenir photo with cherry blossoms in the city of Kyoto in March.
Japan to allow local governments to ban private lodging
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in March. Various cities around the world have cracked down on private lodgings, such as in Barcelona where the city is attempting to eradicate all short-stay apartments by 2028.
Beyond crabs and dinos: Japan¡¯s least-touristed region rethinks appeal
Fukui Prefecture is home to 80% of Japan¡¯s dinosaur fossil discoveries, yet it is routinely one of the least-visited regions in the country.
Japanese mother sues state over teen¡¯s ¡®hostage justice¡¯ death
A lawyer representing the mother (left, blurred for privacy reasons) of a girl who died after being detained speaks during a news conference in Kobe on Wednesday.
Onitsuka Tiger pivots from Asics stripes to tap luxury market
An Onitsuka Tiger store in the Omotesando district of Tokyo. The footwear brand prepares to transform into a luxury lifestyle label distinct from Asics.
Cozy fiction meets the magic of tidying up
¡°Whispering Rooms¡± is a novel based on the real experiences of tidying guru Marie Kondo, co-written with filmmaker and author Genki Kawamura.
¡®Kaiseki¡¯ fine dining with a side of classical poetry
Kodaiji Wakuden says it is considering holding its next poetry and fine dining crossover event next spring.
Beyond crabs and dinos: Japan¡¯s least-touristed region rethinks appeal
Fukui Prefecture is home to 80% of Japan¡¯s dinosaur fossil discoveries, yet it is routinely one of the least-visited regions in the country.
Tokyo¡¯s best Four Seasons may not be its biggest
Reopened on April 29 after an extensive refurbishment, the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi may not offer the skyline views of its sister property around the corner, but it excels in other areas.
Japan steps on the gas in unprecedented regional defense export push
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi walks with his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, as the two inspect an honor guard during a welcome ceremony in Jakarta on May 4.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

Social camouflaging can help neurodivergent people navigate social situations, but researchers say the effort often comes with significant emotional and mental strain.
The challenge of being neurodivergent in Japan¡¯s culture of conformity
By Tomoko Otake

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