# Japan
Latest news and articles about Japan
Total: 85 articles found
Three US Service Members in Japan Arrested in Theft Cases, Raising Local Tensions Over Base Conduct
Three US service members stationed in Japan have been arrested on suspicion of theft, including two Marines from Iwakuni suspected of a series of thefts possibly exceeding ¥10 million and a Marine in Okinawa accused of taking a patron's bag worth about ¥780,000. The incidents revive local tensions over US bases, spotlight questions of troop discipline, jurisdiction, and local accountability under the Status of Forces framework.
Japan’s Big Gamble: Takaichi’s Fiscal Blitz Risks a ‘Truss Moment’ as Debt and Supply Chains Bite
Sanae Takaichi’s electoral win paves the way for ambitious fiscal stimulus, defence spending and a temporary cut to food consumption tax, moves that have boosted equities but raised alarms about Japan’s ability to finance such a course. With public debt near 230% of GDP and heavy dependence on foreign and Chinese processing capacity for strategic minerals, Tokyo faces a high-stakes test of credibility that could spill across bond, currency and commodity markets.
Japan’s F-35Bs in Kyushu Raise the Stakes in a Quiet Air-Sea Contest with China
Japan has forward-deployed F-35B stealth jets to a base on Kyushu and declared a high training tempo, partly to offset surveillance risks at a planned island facility. The move tightens Japan’s ability to contest Chinese carrier movements but highlights a larger systems race: China’s expanding carrier fleet, land-based stealth fighters and tanker support will increasingly shape operational outcomes in the East and South China Seas.
Japan’s Seabed Rare‑Earth Claim Bumps Into Technical and Strategic Realities
Japan has announced a large rare‑earth deposit beneath the seabed near Minami‑Tori‑shima, but deep water, engineering complexity, high extraction costs and environmental and regulatory hurdles make commercial exploitation unlikely in the near term. China’s existing lead in purification technology and cost structure means Tokyo’s claim is more of a political signal than an immediate challenge to Beijing’s dominance in rare‑earth supply chains.
Japan’s Big-Ticket U.S. Arms Purchases Marred by Delays and Defects — Audit Raises Questions About Strategy and Value
A Japanese Board of Audit review found extensive delays and maintenance problems in U.S. defence equipment bought through the Foreign Military Sales program, even as Tokyo increases spending to bolster its forces. The findings raise questions about the cost‑effectiveness, timing and strategic rationale of Japan’s heavy purchases of American arms.
Japan’s Leader Seeks a “Suitable Environment” for Yasukuni Visits — and Regional Trust Is the Casualty
Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said she is trying to create a “suitable environment” for visiting Yasukuni Shrine and expects neighbouring countries to understand. The statement signals an effort to normalize a contentious nationalist symbol that enshrines Class-A war criminals and is likely to aggravate tensions with China and South Korea while complicating regional cooperation.
Beijing Dismisses Lai Ching-te’s Overtures as a ‘Doomed’ Bid for Independence
China’s Foreign Ministry condemned DPP leader Lai Ching‑te for seeking foreign support for Taiwanese independence, calling such efforts futile and labelling him a provocateur. The exchange follows Lai’s outreach to Japan and highlights Beijing’s use of sharp rhetoric to deter Taipei’s international engagements while signalling resolve to domestic and international audiences.
Beneath the Congratulations: Trump’s Frustration over Slow $550bn Japan-to-US Investment and the High-Stakes Bargain Ahead of a March Summit
President Trump publicly congratulated Japan’s newly strengthened LDP government while privately pressing Tokyo over slow progress on a $550 billion investment package pledged to the United States. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s March visit will bring proposals such as joint rare-earth development and the first tranche of investments, but deep mutual distrust and high American demands risk turning the bargain into a geopolitical lever rather than a simple economic pact.
Takaichi’s Gambit: Japan’s Election Win Paves Way for Arms Exports and Regional Frictions
Sanae Takaichi’s decisive electoral victory has unlocked a push to lift Japan’s long-standing ban on lethal weapons exports, signalling a major shift in Tokyo’s postwar defence posture. The change promises economic opportunities for Japan’s defence industry but risks heightening regional tensions and provoking strong responses from China and neighbouring states.
PLA’s Five‑Day South China Sea Patrol Raises Stakes as Manila Shifts Tactics and Tokyo Deepens Involvement
China’s PLA carried out a five‑day patrol in the South China Sea in early February, a move framed as a response to Philippine actions around Scarborough Shoal and joint exercises with the United States. Manila has signalled a tactical pivot toward pushing a South China Sea code of conduct during its 2026 ASEAN chairmanship, even as Japan deepens support for the Philippines, widening the dispute’s international dimensions.
Beijing Rebukes Japan’s Talk of Dialogue as ‘Words’ While ‘Hands Busy with Confrontation’
China publicly rejected Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi’s expressed openness to dialogue, saying words mean nothing if Tokyo pursues confrontational policies, especially on Taiwan. Beijing demanded a retraction of Takaichi’s Taiwan-related remarks and strict adherence to established political agreements as preconditions for credible talks.
Asia Stocks Climb as Japan Rally Dominates; Dollar Firms, Gold Slides and Offshore RMB Strengthens
Japan's equity rally, driven by Sanae Takaichi's election victory and investor bets on policy continuity, pushed the Nikkei to fresh highs and lifted regional markets. At the same time the dollar stabilized, gold and silver fell back, crude eased slightly, and the offshore renminbi strengthened past 6.91 amid speculation Beijing is promoting the yuan's global role.