News On Japan

Japan says North Korea fires what appears to be 2 ballistic missiles

Dec 18 (NHK) - Japan's Defense Ministry says North Korea has fired what appears to be two ballistic missiles. Government officials say both missiles have apparently landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone.

There have been no reports of damage to Japanese vessels and aircraft so far.

South Korea's military says Pyongyang launched two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Sunday.

North Korea has fired missiles with unprecedented frequency this year.

Japanese officials say the launch this time is the 35th in 2022 including cruise missiles.

Among them, 16 occurred from late September to the end of November. Pyongyang says it fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile on November 18.

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Kyoto’s prized bamboo shoots, a seasonal delicacy that graces dining tables each spring, are facing an unprecedented crisis this year. The culprit is the Chinese bamboo moth (Sinachiku nomeiga), whose larvae feed on bamboo leaves, weakening the plants and severely reducing harvest yields.

Typhoon No. 25 (Kalmaegi) is currently located east of the Philippines and moving west-northwest. The storm is expected to continue on a westward track, passing near the Philippines before entering the South China Sea. Weather agencies forecast that the typhoon will not have a direct impact on Japan.

Halloween Eve in Shibuya still drew a festive atmosphere, with people gathering in costume and enjoying the night. Tokyo police deployed several hundred officers, including the well-known “DJ police,” to manage the crowds and prevent congestion at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side by side before the cameras on October 31st at 5 p.m. for a moment that drew intense attention. “Hello, please this way,” said Xi as the two leaders exchanged a handshake lasting roughly 10 seconds in front of their national flags. Takaichi’s expression was stiff at first but softened slightly into a faint smile, while Xi’s face remained largely unchanged.

Bear attacks are reaching unprecedented levels across Japan, with a record 12 fatalities so far this year as sightings continue daily from mountain towns to city centers, disrupting schools and local institutions.

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The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) confirmed during a meeting in Tokyo that they will establish a new council this week composed of each party’s policy chiefs to deepen cooperation on policy matters.

As expected, the previously outspoken U.S. President Donald Trump did not win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. However, he was forced to put on a brave face—Venezuela’s María Machado was the recipient.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side by side before the cameras on October 31st at 5 p.m. for a moment that drew intense attention. “Hello, please this way,” said Xi as the two leaders exchanged a handshake lasting roughly 10 seconds in front of their national flags. Takaichi’s expression was stiff at first but softened slightly into a faint smile, while Xi’s face remained largely unchanged.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has quickly become Japan’s newest fashion icon. Since taking office just ten days ago, the 63-year-old leader’s signature style -- defined by her understated black tote bag and soft pink pen -- has sparked a nationwide shopping craze.

Prime Minister Takaiichi’s first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Trump drew high praise from officials at the Prime Minister’s Office, who described the atmosphere as friendly and open. According to government sources, the two leaders addressed each other by their first names, “Sanae” and “Donald,” a gesture that one senior official called “120 points,” underscoring the success of the meeting.

The Defense Ministry is considering deploying the Self-Defense Forces to Akita Prefecture following a series of bear attacks that have injured residents in recent weeks.

Defense Minister Koizumi inspected Self-Defense Force bases and expressed his intention to boost defense equipment exports through stronger top-level sales efforts.

Osaka City has decided to stop accepting new applications for “special zone minpaku” lodging facilities at the end of May 2026 following a sharp rise in neighborhood disputes over noise and garbage disposal.