Page 27 - Japan

US bomb from WW II explodes at Japan airport, causes large crater

An unexploded US bomb from World War II that had been buried at a Japanese airport exploded Wednesday, causing a large crater in a taxiway and the cancellation of more than 80 flights but no injuries, Japanese officials said. Land and Transport Ministry officials said there were no aircraft nearby when the bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan. Officials said an investigation by the Self-Defence Forces and police confirmed that the explosion was caused by a 500-pound US bomb and there was no further danger. They were determining what caused its sudden detonation. A video recorded by a nearby aviation school showed the blast spewing pieces of asphalt into the air like a fountain. Videos broadcast on Japanese television showed a crater in the taxiway reportedly about 7 meters in diameter and 3 feet deep. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said more than 80 flights had been cancelled at the airport, which hopes to resume operations on Thursday morning. Miyaza

Japan's new PM Ishiba vows to push a strong defence under Japan-US alliance

Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to stick to the vital Japan-US alliance while calling for it to be more equitable after he took office on Tuesday, vowing to tackle a slow economy and regain public trust before an upcoming election. Shigeru Ishiba replaced Fumio Kishida, who stepped down to pave the way for a fresh leader after scandals dogged his government. In a show of Japan's respect to its most important ally, the US, Ishiba spoke by telephone with President Joe Biden early on Wednesday and told reporters he reassured Biden of his plan to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance that Biden and Kishida have significantly elevated. His new Cabinet emphasises defence and a majority of its members, including Ishiba himself, are unaffiliated with factions led and controlled by Liberal Democratic Party heavyweights, and none is from the late Shinzo Abe's faction that has been linked to damaging misconduct. Speaking to reporters at the prime minister's office for the

Japan's Shigeru Ishiba confirmed as prime minister, set to unveil cabinet

In his victory speech on Friday, he spoke about the need to beef up Japan's security after recent territorial incursions by Chinese and Russian military vessels

Japan PM Kishida steps down before likely successor Ishiba takes office

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned with his Cabinet, paving the way for his likely successor Shigeru Ishiba to take office. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that Kishida and his ministers stepped down at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Ishiba was chosen as the governing Liberal Democratic Party's leader on Friday to replace Kishida, who announced in August his resignation at the end of his three-year term. Ishiba is assured to be prime minister later on Tuesday in a vote by parliament because it is dominated by his party's ruling coalition. Ishiba will then announce his new Cabinet later in the day. Kishida took office in 2021 but is leaving so his party can have a fresh leader after his government was dogged by scandals. On Monday, Ishiba said he planned to call a parliamentary election to be held on October 27 after he is formally chosen as prime minister. "I believe it is important to have the new administration get the public's judgement as soon a

Kishida's legacy: Scandals at home, global respect for security, diplomacy

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down Tuesday, handing over leadership to his successor Shigeru Ishiba, who is expected to formally take office later in the day. He says he plans to call a snap election for October 27. Kishida's popularity ratings were precarious during most of his three-year term due to damaging corruption scandals that eventually led him to bow out. At home, Kishida was seen as a leader without a vision who compromised with powerful conservative nationalists within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to stay in power. But he has won respect outside Japan, especially from the United States, for pushing bold changes in Japanese defence and security policies and for standing tougher against Russia and China. Here is a lookback at Kishida's leadership and his legacy: Distress at home After taking office in October 2021, Kishida made a number of major decisions, such as reversing Japan's nuclear energy phase-out and pursuing a rapid military buildup. B

Japan's incoming PM Ishiba calls election for Oct 27, aims to unify party

Ishiba began picking government and party officials who will contest the upcoming general election with him

Asian shares hold steady amid China stimulus, Japan rate fears hit Nikkei

The week is packed with major US economic data including a payrolls report that could decide whether the Federal Reserve delivers another outsized rate cut in November

Shigeru Ishiba to become Japan's next PM after winning LDP leadership race

Shigeru Ishiba's victory in the leadership contest came after beating economic security minister Sanae Takaichi by 215 votes to 194

Leadership contest for Japan's next prime minister heads to run-off

The scramble to replace current premier Fumio Kishida was sparked in August when he announced his intention to step down

Tokyo Electron readies for India foray as PM Modi woos chipmakers

Japan's biggest chip equipment maker plans to hire and train local engineers in or around 2026, with their first task to provide technical services to Tata Electronics

G4 nations stress comprehensive UNSC reform essential for UN's future

They gathered to evaluate the current state of the multilateral system and discuss potential reforms to UNSC

Japan's Self Defense Force passes through Taiwan Strait for first time

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to comment on the report, while expressing concern about China's increased military activity in the region

India overtakes Japan as Asia's third most powerful nation: Power Index

Japan's slow population growth, limited military expansion, and relatively stagnant economic performance have caused it to lose ground to rising giants like China and India

India pips Japan, ranks 3rd on Asia Power Index of Australia think tank

India ranks third in the annual Asia Power Index, released by an Australian think-tank, surpassing Japan on the back of strong post-COVID 19 economic growth, while China's power appeared to plateau just below the United States. The Sydney-based Lowy Institute has put the US at the top of its Asia Power Index with a score of 81.7, followed by China with a score of 72.7, India (39.1), Japan (38.9), Australia (31.9) and Russia (31.1). The Index ranks 27 countries and territories in terms of their capacity to shape their external environment -- its scope reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand and the US. The index has cited economic growth, future potential and diplomatic influence as key factors for India's rise. However, it has pointed out that New Delhi's clout remains below the potential promised by its resources. "India has shown remarkable post-pandemic economic recovery, contributing to a 4.2-point rise in i

Japan's PM race: Old problems, new faces, and a 30-year debate on surnames

As candidates vie for the role of prime minister, the debate over surnames has become symbolic of Japan's appetite for reform or the desire to cling to the status quo

Japan to ease foreign trainee job transfer rules by Oct amid record exits

The new system aims to help foreign workers develop skills over three years, allowing them to stay in Japan long-term

JPMorgan bullish on India, Japan; to allocate resources in Southeast Asia

JPMorgan expects its commercial banking business, which is focused on mid-sized companies, to grow as much as 30 per cent in India over the next few years, Leenart said

Small tsunami waves wash ashore on remote Japanese islands post earthquake

Small tsunami waves washed ashore on remote Japanese islands on Tuesday morning after an earthquake that may have been triggered by volcanic activity. The offshore quake was not felt, and the tsunami advisory was lifted about three hours later. No damage or injuries were reported. The Japan Meteorological Agency had advised that waves up to 1 metre (yard) above tide levels could occur on the coasts of the Izu and Ogasawara island chains after the magnitude 5.9 quake occurred off the Izu Islands. The US Geological Survey measured the quake's strength at 5.6 magnitude. About 21,500 people live on the islands in the Izu group and about 2,500 on the Ogasawara Islands. JMA said a tsunami of about 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) was detected in the Yaene district on Hachijo Island about 30 minutes after the quake. Smaller waves were detected on three other islands Kozushima, Miyakejima and Izu Oshima. The offshore quake occurred about 180 kilometers (111 miles) south of Hachijo island

PM Modi meets Kishida, Albanese; discusses ways to deepen bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held "very good" meetings with his Japanese and Australian counterparts on the sidelines of the Quad Summit here and exchanged views to deepen bilateral cooperation further for mutual benefits and the 'peace, stability, and prosperity' of the Indo-Pacific region. Modi met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Wilmington on Saturday. The three leaders met at the sidelines of the Quad Leaders' Summit, hosted by US President Joe Biden. Modi and Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to "further deepen" bilateral ties, with the Indian leader saying that he "cherishes the time-tested friendship" with Australia. "Held extensive discussions with PM Albanese. We seek to add even more momentum in areas like trade, security, space and culture. India greatly cherishes the time-tested friendship with Australia," Modi said in a post on X. "Great to talk with Prime Minister @narendramodi today at the Quad Leaders Summi

Quad summits from 2021 virtual meeting to Wilmington in 2024: A timeline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Philadelphia Saturday to begin his three-day US trip with the Quad Leaders' Summit being held in Wilmington, Delaware. The Quad Leaders' Summit this year was earlier supposed to be held in India, but US President Joe Biden was keen to hold the event in his hometown. This will be a farewell summit for both Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as they near the end of their terms in office -- January 20, 2025 for the US president and Oct 1 for Japanese prime minister. The fourth leader attending the meeting is Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Here's a look at previous summits. -- May 20, 2023 (Hiroshima, Japan) Format: In-person Attending leaders: PM Albanese, PM Modi, PM Kishida, and President Biden Notes: Australia was the host of the summit for the year, and was supposed to hold the summit in Sydney just after the G7 Hiroshima Summit. However, President Biden postponed his trip to Australia and Papua New Guinea at th