Earthquake levels buildings in Japan, ‘many deaths’ reported

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan’s southern Kyushu region, causing extensive damage and killing “a considerable number of people,” according to local media.

Thousands rally in Tokyo against Takaichi government's push to revise pacifist constitution

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of Japan's National Diet Building in Tokyo on Tuesday evening to protest the government's attempts to undermine the country's pacifist constitution through constitutional revision and military expansion policies.

Japan to release more oil from emergency stockpiles

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced that 20 days’ worth of oil reserves will be released from early May onwards.

Japan says it seized Chinese vessel amid tensions with Beijing

Japanese authorities say they have seized a Chinese fishing vessel that tried to flee when ordered to stop for an inspection, in a move that may further fuel tensions with Beijing.

Japan sends last batch of military vehicles to Ukraine

The Embassy of Japan in Ukraine announced that the final shipment of Japan Self-Defense Force vehicles designated for Ukraine arrived in Poland on January 12, completing Tokyo’s latest transfer of support equipment to the Ukrainian government.

Russia opposes Taiwan independence in any form, FM Lavrov says

Russia ‍opposes Taiwan’s independence in ‍any form and considers the island ⁠an inseparable part of China, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said ‍in remarks published on ‍Sunday.

US, Japan defence chiefs say China harming regional peace

The December 6 radar incident came after comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan that infuriated China.

Tokyo says Chinese jets locked radar onto Japan fighters

Chinese military aircraft locked radar onto Japanese fighter jets southeast of Okinawa’s main island, Japan’s defence ministry said on Sunday.

China says Japan sent ‘shocking’ wrong signal on Taiwan

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it was “shocking” for Japan’s leader to openly send a wrong signal concerning Taiwan, according to an official statement on Sunday, the latest remarks in a row that has shaken relations for more than two weeks.

China warns Tokyo about consequences of Sanae Takaichi's comment about Taiwan

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong made a serious representation to Japanese ambassador Kenji Kanasugi in connection with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent statement on Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Japan Unveils First Female Prime Minister's Cabinet

Japan's new Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced on Tuesday the composition of the government of Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, with key portfolios appointed to her former rivals in the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race.

China’s military warns Philippines against provocations in South China Sea

China’s military has warned the Philippines against any provocations in the tense South China Sea as it continues to launch patrols and advance plans to solidify its control of the area.

Tsunami alerts issued for US, Japan, Philippines after massive earthquake, Magnitude of earthquake in Kamchatka reaches 8.7

Tsunami alerts have been issued in dozens of countries after a massive earthquake off the Russian coast.

Japan Preparing for Talks with Trump on Maintaining US Presence

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, struggling to stabilize his minority government, said Friday he will prepare for tough negotiations with US President Donald Trump to win his commitment to maintain a strong American presence in the Asia-Pacific.

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake shakes Japan, prompting tsunami warnings

A tsunami advisory was in place late Monday after a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture, officials said.

Japan FM Raises ‘Serious Concerns’ over China Military Activity

Japan’s top diplomat Takeshi Iwaya expressed “serious concerns” to his Chinese counterpart over Beijing’s increasing military activity and the situation in the East and South China Sea, Tokyo said Wednesday.

Japan, EU announce sweeping defence and security pact

Japan and the European Union announced a sweeping new security and defence partnership in Tokyo on Friday, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed as a historic and "very timely" step.

N Korea fires 'long-range' ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan (East Sea)

North Korea conducted what appeared to be its longest ever intercontinental ballistic missile test as South Korea warned the state could seek missile technology from Russia in exchange for deploying troops to help with the war in Ukraine.

Japan sails warship through Taiwan Strait for first time

A Japanese warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland for the first time, Japanese media have reported.

Seven people die after floods and landslides in Japan

Rescuers are combing the debris-strewn banks of a river in central Japan, searching for drowning victims after homes were swept away in flooding and landslides that claimed at least seven lives.