Japan

US President Donald Trump has initiated a pivotal new chapter in the trade war he set in motion earlier this year. In a recent communication to various international partners—ranging from major suppliers like Japan and South Korea to smaller economies—he announced that they should prepare for significantly higher tariffs starting from August 1. The decision to impose a 25% levy on all goods from key allies Japan and South Korea sent ripples through Wall Street, though markets in Asia appeared to absorb the news more…

On a fateful sunny morning in August 1945, an atomic bomb weighing 4,400kg was unleashed on Hiroshima by a U.S. warplane. Just 43 seconds later, eight-year-old Teruko Yahata was playing in her garden when the bomb detonated 600 meters above the city. "The first sign of the enormity of what had just happened," she recounted to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday, "was the sky suddenly lit up in a blinding 'bluish-white' light." Moments later, a dark nuclear cloud ascended, which Ms. Yahata described as "as if the heavens…

A man convicted of the heinous crime of murdering and dismembering nine individuals he met online has been executed in Japan. This marks the nation's first implementation of the death penalty since 2022. Takahiro Shiraishi, aged 34, faced execution for the tragic deaths of his young victims, the majority of whom were women, whom he connected with on the social media platform now known as X. Dubbed the "Twitter Killer," Shiraishi specifically targeted users who expressed suicidal thoughts, offering to assist in their plans…

TOKYO (AP) — The tranquil beauty of Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost island, has long been shadowed by the echoes of its wartime past. Recently, this historical tapestry was disrupted by an alarming incident at a U.S. military base, where an explosion at a storage site dedicated to unexploded ordnance injured four Japanese soldiers. Thankfully, the injuries are reported to be non-life-threatening, providing a small sigh of relief amidst the chaos. Nevertheless, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the lingering shadows…

The New Wave: Japan's Growing Interest in Africa In a fascinating turn of events, Takehiko Matsuo, the Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, recently highlighted a shift in Japan's economic landscape. After struggling through nearly three decades of deflation, Japan is finally emerging from its economic chrysalis. What does this mean for the future? According to Matsuo, this transformation has sparked a renewed enthusiasm within the private sector, encouraging a…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a generous gesture, Japan has equipped Somalia's Police Force's Mine Action Unit with essential gear aimed at boosting their ability to spot and defuse bombs, a move aimed at bolstering safety and security across the nation.On a bustling Thursday in Mogadishu, Somali Police Chief Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi accepted the donated arsenals and praised Japan's significant contribution. "We cannot thank Japan enough for providing this crucial support," he expressed. "This donation is a fundamental…

Nairobi, AX — Somalia's government made waves on Thursday, announcing a significant milestone in their quest for economic stability. They've struck a deal with Japan to wipe out $100 million in debt, a move that aligns with their broader push for economic progress and debt resolution. Somalia's Finance Minister, Bihi Egeh, joined forces in Nairobi with Japanese Deputy Head of Mission Ogihara Hiroshi to seal this landmark arrangement. This act marks a substantial leap in Somalia’s debt cancellation journey. As Finance…

Defeated 5-1 by Japan in the semifinals of the Beach Soccer World Cup, Senegal said goodbye to their dreams of a final. The Lions can, however, comfort themselves with a match for third place on Sunday against Switzerland, while the Japanese face Russia. After their historic quarter-final victory over Brazil, the tournament's…

A first part of the Ugandan delegation, which arrived in Tokyo for the Olympics on June 19, 2021, was placed in quarantine after a positive fall of Covid-19, the Japanese authorities announced on June 22. This is the first positive case of a participant in the Olympics (July 23 - August 8) when the Australian softball team was the first foreign delegation to arrive in Japan on June 1.…