6 d. ago South Korea’s Lee pledges warmer ties, but past tensions leave Japan ‘worried’

South Korea’s newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to pursue warmer ties with Japan, but analysts caution that optimism may be premature, citing his past criticism of Tokyo’s wartime actions and fears he could reignite anti-Japan sentiment to bolster domestic support amid economic challenges. Within hours of taking office, Lee struck a conciliatory tone, calling for collaboration in areas such as trade, security and culture. “We can identify mutually beneficial areas in the...

Events

9 d. ago Will Japan’s ‘near alliance’ with the Philippines fuel China’s suspicions?

Japan’s view that its ties with the Philippines are at a “near-alliance status” has been welcomed as a sign of the commitment by both countries to tackle their perceived common threats, even as analysts warn that any formalisation towards deeper security cooperation could worsen regional tensions. Speaking in Tokyo on May 28, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya hailed the close partnership in the presence of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. Iwaya and Manalo discussed strengthening...

Politics

1 week ago China’s overtures a ‘pointed signal’ to stabilise ties with Japan: analysts

China has made a string of subtle yet telling overtures towards Japan in recent weeks – from removing controversial maritime buoys to easing a politically charged seafood import ban – in what observers see as a tactical recalibration rather than a true reset in bilateral ties. On Thursday, Japan’s government confirmed that China had dismantled the second of two oceanographic buoys it had installed without Tokyo’s consent within Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Okinawa. The following day, it...

Politics

1 week ago Japan patches cybersecurity gaps with new laws, overseas tie

Japan is scrambling to shore up its cybersecurity capabilities through new legislation, international partnerships and training schemes – moves observers say are long overdue as threats from hostile states and criminal groups escalate. In the latest push, Defence Minister Gen Nakatani met his Lithuanian counterpart Dovile Sakaliene in Tokyo on Wednesday and agreed to deepen cooperation in cybersecurity. A Japanese defence ministry expert will be dispatched to Lithuania in June to learn from the...

Events

2 w. ago China, ASEAN, Arab states hold 1st summit to bolster economic ties

China, ASEAN, Arab states hold 1st summit to bolster economic ties  Kyodo News+ | Japan's leading news agency.

Politics

4 w. ago India seeks deeper defence ties with Japan amid push for strategic self

Japan can play a critical role in helping India respond to security threats, as New Delhi looks to broaden weapons procurement, analysts note.

Politics

4 w. ago Japan watches South Korea’s presidential polls for signs of warmer ties

Democratic front runner Lee Jae-myung has hinted at closer trade links, but Tokyo remembers past anti-Japan stances.

Politics