Japan

Explained: Why the US and Japan joined hands to support the falling yen

The yen fell to its lowest level in nearly 40 years against the US dollar, prompting Japan and the US to jointly intervene in currency markets

Japan, US confirm joint yen-buying intervention, signal more action

The move underscored both countries' resolve to prevent a selloff in the yen and Japanese government bonds (JGBs) from causing global spillovers

Death toll from Japan quake climbs to 34 as rescuers search damaged mall

The death toll climbed to 34 from a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan that set off an explosion at a mall, toppled a factory chimney and flattened homes, the Kumamoto prefectural government said on Friday. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Japan's southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday. Officials said 34 deaths had been confirmed as related to the disaster, with one more death still under investigation. On Thursday authorities said more than 80 people had been injured, five of them seriously. Searchers continued to work in the Kumamoto area on Friday, including at the site of the collapsed mall.

Japan set to launch intelligence bureau in Takaichi's security push

The bureau, headed by veteran police official Kazuya Hara, 58, will be responsible for coordinating intelligence gathering and distilling it for a new National Intelligence Council headed by Takaichi

Hope dwindles for rescue in Japan as earthquake death toll rises to 23

Rural communities in southwestern Japan were struggling to get their lives back to normal Thursday, two days after a powerful earthquake set off an explosion at a mall, toppled a factory chimney and flattened homes, killing at least 23 people. Time was running out to find survivors, as rescuers continued to work in the Kumamoto area on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu, where the magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Tuesday. The number of those missing was unclear. The quake left at least 63 people injured, five of them seriously, the Kumamoto prefectural government said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, speaking to reporters Thursday, gave a higher number for the death toll at 28. That came from a police tally, he said, which includes cases still under investigation. Some of those cases may later turn out to be unrelated to the earthquake. Survivors spoke about coming home and desperately pulling family members out of the wreckage. Some had suffered injuries and were rushed to

Death toll in Japan earthquake rises to 18 as rescue efforts continue

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said 13 people have been found dead after a powerful quake shook part of southwestern Japan and rescue work was continuing Wednesday morning for the missing. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon. Takaichi said many other people were injured or still missing as rescue work continued overnight.

US, Japan urge India to address export restrictions in farm sector

The US and Japan urged India at the WTO to ease agricultural export restrictions, improve trade predictability and address non-tariff barriers during its Trade Policy Review

7.1-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Japan, tsunami advisory issued

An earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto on Japan's southern main island of Kyushu late Tuesday afternoon and a tsunami advisory was issued, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The quake occurred at the depth of 10 km (6 miles) below the sea surface, JMA said. No damage or injuries were immediately reported after the 4:29 pm quake. The quake occurred in the western region of Kumamoto, about 900 km (540 miles) southwest of Tokyo. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk of a tsunami beyond local coasts.

Planning to move to Japan? Residence permit fees to rise from Oct 1

Japan to hike residence permit charges; permanent residency fee set at 200,000 yen

India charts its own high-speed rail path beyond Japanese Shinkansen

India plans to deploy indigenous train sets and globally interoperable signalling systems as it recalibrates its high-speed rail strategy beyond the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor

India & Indo-Pacific ascendancy: The architecture of a stabilising power

India's engagements with Japan, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand highlight a coordinated Indo-Pacific strategy built on maritime security, supply chains and strategic autonomy

Cool Biz: Men in shorts are shaking up Japan's buttoned-down offices

Tokyo's decision to allow shorts in government offices is challenging Japan's conservative workplace norms as record heat reshapes office dress codes

Japan passes law banning national flag desecration despite criticism

Japan on Friday enacted a controversial new law prohibiting desecration of its national flag, a key right-wing agenda pushed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Opponents say it's an attempt to intimidate the public and silence criticism of her government. The law punishes publicly damaging or defacing the national flag, known as "hinomaru", including livestreaming of the scene in ways that would offend the feelings of others. Opponents say the ambiguous law only intimidates people from using the flag in art, protests or other forms of expression, and could violate constitutional freedom of speech. Japan has a law to punish vandalising foreign national flags, mainly those displayed at diplomatic facilities, to avoid international disputes. Takaichi says Japan's lack of a law criminalising disrespectful handling of its own national flag is "wrong". Today, the flag is widely seen at athletic events, government offices and international events. At Imperial Palace events, well-wishers w

Japan travel costs more from July as departure tax triples to ¥3,000

For most international visitors, the biggest impact will be a higher airfare or cruise fare rather than an additional payment at departure.

Ranveer's Dhurandhar flops in Japan, draws fewer than 900 viewers on day 1

Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar premiered in Japanese theatres on Jul 10, 2026, with fewer than 900 viewers. It misses the top 25 Indian openers, despite the franchise grossing over ₹3,100 cr globally

Japan's corporate bankruptcies hit 12-year high: What's behind it?

Japan recorded more than 5,300 corporate bankruptcies in the first half of 2026, the highest in 12 years, as inflation, a weak yen, labour shortages and higher borrowing costs squeeze small businesses

Spanning two oceans: The India-Japan partnership grows deeper steadily

Security and economics are not, in today's world, particularly distinct realms

Japanese companies look to bet on GCCs amid India's innovation push

Japanese companies are accelerating investments in India's Global Capability Centres, leveraging the country's growing innovation and technology ecosystem

Clean energy push: Japan's IHI Corporation, ACME seal ₹67K cr outlay pact

Odisha signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan's IHI Corporation and ACME Group for green ammonia and methanol projects worth ₹67,000 crore, boosting India-Japan clean energy ties

Japanese enterprises accelerating growth of GCCs in India: Deloitte

Japanese firms have established over 100 global capability centres in India, with Deloitte projecting these hubs will drive innovation, economic growth and high-skilled employment by FY2030