Japan

Google launches Pixel 10a Isai Blue special edition in Japan: What's new

Google introduces Pixel 10a Isai Blue in Japan to mark 10 years of Pixel, featuring a new colour, custom artwork-based UI and themed accessories, priced same as standard variant

French, Japanese-owned ships make first crossings through Strait of Hormuz

Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has practically halted since the US and Israel attacked Iran, with just a trickle of ships able to make the crossing

Microsoft to invest $10 billion in Japan for AI, cybersecurity push

Microsoft will collaborate with Japanese firms including SoftBank and Sakura Internet to expand domestic AI computing capacity

US allies working on plan B for Strait of Hormuz if Trump walks away

Virtual meeting of around 40 nations showed the coalition of countries deem it necessary to begin preparations for having to reopen the strait without the US

Japan deploys its first long-range missiles to boost offensive capability

Japan's first long-range missile was deployed at a southwestern army camp, officials said Tuesday, as the country pushes to bolster its offensive capabilities. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed and produced by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, became operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture. "As Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era ... it is an extremely important capability to strengthen Japan's deterrence and responsiveness," Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters. "It demonstrates Japan's firm determination and capability to defend itself." The upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), a significant extension from the 200-kilometer (125-mile) range of the original that would allow it to reach mainland China. The deployment of the long-range missile gives Japan a "standoff" capability, meaning it can strike enemy missile bases from afar, marking a break from the

Japanese PM Takaichi orders review of entire supply chain for oil products

Takaichi assigned the task to Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa on Tuesday morning at a meeting with relevant ministers

Japan says not considering unilateral negotiations with Iran on Hormuz

About 45 Japan-linked vessels remain affected in the strait, a critical artery for global energy supplies, Japan said, adding that the government will take responsibility for their safety

Iran ready to allow Japanese vessels through Strait of Hormuz after talks

Japan relies heavily on West Asia for its oil-imports needs; the war in Iran prompted the Asian nation to release oil from its reserves this month

Trump references Pearl Harbor as Iran war exposes strains in US-Japan ties

After Trump's reference to the Pearl Harbor attack, a Japanese foreign ministry official said the subject didn't come up in closed-door talks between the leaders

Japan's PM Takaichi meets Trump as he seeks help securing Strait of Hormuz

The meeting that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will have at the White House on Thursday originally seemed like a prime opportunity to have President Donald Trump's ear before he embarked on a trip to China. But now, the war in Iran and Trump's unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed and Takaichi may be likely to get an earful. Trump has repeatedly complained on camera and online that US allies, including Japan, have rejected his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport. "In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump exclaimed on Truth Social after his initial call for help was rebuffed. The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expects her meeting with Trump will be "very difficult." She and her ministers have denied that ...

Japan PM Takaichi heads to US for 'tough' talks with Trump amid Iran war

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is travelling Wednesday to the United States for what she expects to be a "very difficult" meeting with US President Donald Trump after he called on Japan and other allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The three-day visit to Washington was originally expected to focus on trade and strengthening the US-Japanese alliance as China's influence grows in Asia. It is now expected to be overshadowed by the war the United States and Israel launched against Iran on February 28. "I think the US visit will be a very difficult one, but I will do everything to maximise our national interest and to protect the daily lives of the people when the situation changes daily," Takaichi told parliament on Wednesday, hours before her departure. Takaichi held her first meeting with Trump in October in Tokyo, days after becoming Japan's first female prime minister. A hard-line conservative, Takaichi is a protege of former leader Shinzo Abe, who ...

Japan records trade surplus as export growth balances out weak China demand

Japan recorded a trade surplus of 57.3 billion yen (USD 360 million) in February, according to government data released Wednesday, reversing from a deficit a month earlier. Exports grew at a better-than-expected 4.2 per cent in February to 9.57 trillion yen, the Finance Ministry's seasonally adjusted preliminary data show. Imports grew 10.2 per cent on-year to 9.51 trillion yen following a 2.5 per cent contraction in January. Japan posted a 1.15 trillion trade deficit that month. Import costs are likely to rise as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war against Iran drives up oil and other energy prices. Japan imports almost all its oil, and Brent crude - the international standard - has jumped in recent weeks to about USD 100 a barrel. Geopolitical uncertainty, especially the war in Iran, looms large for Japan's export-reliant economy, but a weak yen is likely to work as a plus. The US dollar has been trading at about 159 yen, when it was below 150 yen a yea

Trump seeks allies' help in Strait of Hormuz. UK, Japan, Australia say no

US President Donald Trump has called on allies to send naval escorts to protect vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. However, key allies have declined Trump's request

Japan, Asia-Pacific nations to pledge $30 bn energy, mineral deals with US

The deals will take the form of purchase commitments and other transactions spanning a range of products and sectors, including coal, oil, liquefied natural gas and nuclear power

Ex-Google AI researcher launches robotics startup 'Integral AI' in Tokyo

The 15-person startup is holding initial discussions with Toyota Motor, Sony Group, Honda Motor, Nissan Motor and Mitsui Chemicals to pitch them on how AI can advance manufacturing processes

Japan set to deploy first batch of home-developed long-range missile

Japan is preparing to deploy its first batch of domestically developed long-range missiles, with their launchers arriving at an army camp Monday as the country accelerates its offensive capability in response to rising challenges in the region. The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles will be deployed at Camp Kengun in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto by the end of March, completing the process of deployment, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said. Army vehicles carrying their launchers and other equipment arrived early in the morning in a highly secretive mission criticized by local residents who protested outside the camp. Opponents have complained about the lack of transparency and said the deployment would instead escalate tension and make the missiles the target of attacks. The Defence Ministry last year moved up the schedule of the missiles' deployment by one year as Japan accelerates a military buildup in the southwestern region as China escalates tension ..

Japan in talks with India to jointly explore rare earths in Rajasthan

Following on a preliminary pact on critical minerals that Japan and India signed last year, Tokyo has expressed interest in the Rajasthan deposits and plans to send experts to the site

Japan, South Korea flag regulatory hurdles for their steel firms in India

Japan, South Korea have raised concerns over India's regulatory measures, including QCO norms and anti-dumping duties, even as both nations reaffirm major investment plans in the domestic steel sector

Japan and India renew $75 bn bilateral swap pact to boost financial safety

Japan and India have renewed their Bilateral Swap Arrangement, keeping the facility size at $75 billion, to strengthen financial safety nets and deepen economic cooperation