News On Japan

Iran’s foreign minister in first high-level visit to Japan since 2019

TOKYO, Aug 07 (Al Jazeera) - Iran’s foreign minister has met with top officials in Japan in the first such high-level visit in more than three years.

Hossein Amirabdollahian sat down with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Monday after holding meetings with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato.

The last time a top Iranian diplomat visited Japan was in December 2019, one year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal and reinstated wide-ranging sanctions on Iran.

Japan raised the issue of Iran’s alleged provision of armed drones to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, but Amirabdollahian reiterated Iranian denials that it was supplying Russia.

Japan, which holds this year’s presidency of the Group of Seven nations, has been maintaining economic sanctions on Russia over the war as part of the G7.

Iran has been heavily criticised and targeted by sanctions by the US, European Union and United Kingdom for providing drones to Russia. ...continue reading

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

EF Education First, a global education organization, published this year’s English Proficiency Index on Wednesday, ranking nations worldwide. Japan’s ranking stood at 92nd among 116 countries and regions, continuing a 14-year trend of record lows.

Ginzan Hot Springs in Yamagata, known for its Taisho-era charm, is now at peak season for autumn foliage. While this secluded onsen town is a well-known destination in the Tohoku region, an influx of foreign tourists has led local officials to implement restrictions on day visitors starting next month.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced plans to allow the sale of over-the-counter drugs at convenience stores without on-site pharmacists.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's advisory panel has outlined a proposal for amending the law to prohibit working more than 14 consecutive days. Under the current system, workers can technically work up to 48 days in a row through a system known as 'four-day-off-per-four-weeks,' while labor agreements also allow for holiday work, meaning there are no effective restrictions on consecutive workdays.

Manhole covers featuring characters from Riyoko Ikeda’s popular manga The Rose of Versailles were unveiled on November 11th at three locations within Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Politics NEWS

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) recently showcased training exercises involving state-of-the-art stealth fighter takeoffs and landings on its largest escort vessel, the Kaga, which is being modified for aircraft carrier capability.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has apologized to lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party for its poor results in last month's Lower House elections and called on them to unite. (NHK)

The junior party of Japan's ruling coalition, Komeito, is set to appoint land minister Saito Tetsuo as the new chief representative this week. (NHK)

Speculation about Trump's new administration, set to take office in January, has already begun. Among the potential appointees is Senator Bill Hagerty, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan, who is being considered for Secretary of State.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru says he respects the democratic choice of the American people. Ishiba said: "I hope to further bolster the Japan-US alliance to a higher level while closely coordinating with the next president. I want to make efforts to contact Trump as soon as possible." (NHK)

The snap election for Japan’s Lower House on 27 October 2024 produced a hung parliament with no political party or coalition receiving a majority, throwing Japanese politics into uncertainty and potential political instability. (East Asia Forum)

North Korea's state-run media has announced it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday morning. Japan and the United States have strongly condemned it. (NHK)

The leader of Japan's ruling coalition partner Komeito has stated his intention to step down to take responsibility for the party's setback in Sunday's Lower House election. (NHK)