News
G7 leaders condemn Iran, warn of risk of escalation
ROME – Leaders of the G7 nations condemned Iran’s attack on Israel and said on Sunday they would work to try to prevent an “uncontrollable regional escalation” in the Middle East.
Biden praises Kishida’s leadership and Japan’s growing international clout
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden praised Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s “bold leadership” on a series of global crises as he welcomed the Japanese leader to the White House on Wednesday for wide-ranging talks that touched on the delicate security situation in the Pacific, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict and more.
Japan ready to support Taiwan following strong quake: Kishida
TOKYO – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that Japan is ready to provide any support necessary to Taiwan, “a neighbor across the sea,” following a powerful earthquake that struck off the east coast of the island.
Tsunami reach southwestern Japanese islands after M7.5 quake hits off Taiwan
TOKYO/TAIPEI – A powerful earthquake struck off Taiwan at 8:58 a.m. local time on Wednesday, rocking the entire island and collapsing buildings. Japan issued a tsunami alert for the southern Japanese island group of Okinawa.
Japan’s imperial family debuts on Instagram
TOKYO – Japan’s imperial family made an Instagram debut with a barrage of posts on Monday, hoping to shake off their reclusive image and reach out to younger people on social media.
Japanese businesses brace for life with interest rates
TOKYO – In the coming years, Satoaki Kanoh needs to replace almost a dozen aging machines at his Tokyo-based maker of acrylic panels, a major undertaking that he worries will become even more expensive.
Ohtani says he never bet on sports; claims interpreter Mizuhara stole money, told lies
LOS ANGELES – Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
U.S. military command in Japan to be revamped: report
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will unveil a plan next month to restructure the U.S. military command in Japan in the face of shared concerns about China, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Ohtani’s interpreter fired by Dodgers after allegations of illegal gambling, theft from star
LOS ANGELES – Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Japanese baseball star.
BFP eyes ‘elite’ teams to battle forest fires
BAGUIO CITY—An elite team of firefighters may soon roam the country’s vast timberlands to battle forest fires, part of an evolving modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).