Oct 08 (FRANCE 24 English) - In the 1970s and 1980s, North Korea organised a kidnapping campaign in "enemy" countries. As one of its closest neighbours, Japan became a prime target.
The programme, decided at the highest level of the Communist state, was likely intended to train North Korean spies in foreign languages and customs. It was a long wait until 2002, when the dictatorship in Pyongyang officially recognised some of the kidnappings.
A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of three individuals in front of JR Nagano Station in Nagano City, where one person was killed and two others sustained injuries of varying severity.
Child consultation centers in Japan are at the forefront of efforts to protect children from abuse and make critical decisions about their care, including whether to return them to their families or place them in alternative arrangements. Despite their vital role, these centers are struggling under the weight of increasing workloads, rising abuse cases, and severe staff shortages, leading to high levels of burnout and resignations among welfare officers.
Japan is facing critical questions about how to navigate its relationship with the United States following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president.
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to raise its policy interest rate from an annualized 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. This marks the first rate hike in six months and appears aimed at correcting the historically weak yen.
Japan is facing an unprecedented rice shortage, with recent data highlighting alarming supply-demand imbalances in the domestic market. The Agricultural Newspaper reported on January 10 that the DI (Demand-Supply Index), a measure of rice market balance, reached a record high of 80. This figure indicates a critical shortfall in rice availability, surpassing even last year's levels when supermarket shelves were emptied.
The Japan Innovation Party has faced significant challenges following its disappointing performance in the recent general election. In a candid discussion, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura reflected on the party’s struggles, leadership changes, and future strategies for revitalization.
Emperor Naruhito has sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration ceremony.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's First Airborne Brigade held its annual "First Parachute Training" exercise at the Narashino Training Ground in Chiba Prefecture, where Defense Minister Nakatanit also took part in the drills.
Japan is revolutionising its defence innovation by creating a dual-use startup ecosystem that integrates civilian technologies into defence research. (East Asia Forum)
Japan is set to shoulder over 6.9 percent of the total financial contributions by member countries to support the United Nations from 2025 to 2027. It remains the third largest contributor following the United States and China, with the latter's share rising to almost on par with the US. (NHK)
A criminal complaint against Hyogo Governor Saito and a PR firm representative over alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Act has been accepted by investigative authorities, it was revealed.
On December 13th, it was announced that a new joint venture will be established to advance the collaborative development of the next-generation fighter jet involving Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
The government is revising its energy policy framework for the first time in three years. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the policy has included a commitment to "reduce dependency on nuclear power as much as possible." However, it has been revealed that discussions are underway to remove this wording.
