Trump says Venezuelan airspace should be considered 'closed'
U.S. officials contacted were surprised by Trump's announcement and unaware of any ongoing U.S. military operations to enforce a closure of Venezuelan airspace.
More from Japan
1h ago
Ukraine hits two Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tankers with naval drones
The strikes were part of a broader strategy by Kyiv to pile pressure on Moscow's vast oil industry.
1h ago
Global airlines race to fix jets as Airbus apologizes following A320 recall
All Nippon Airways, Japan's biggest airline, canceled 95 domestic flights Saturday and warned of more disruption on Sunday.
12h ago
Kyiv hammered by Russian airstrikes as peace team heads to U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing Kyiv to make territorial and other concessions to Moscow in order to end the fighting in the war.
12h ago
Canadian PM under fire for alleged climate U-turn
Mark Carney's most dramatic move came on Thursday, when he struck a deal with conservative-led energy-producing Alberta to advance a new oil pipeline.
13h ago
Toyota's Ogier wins record-equaling ninth world rally title
Ogier, 41, finished third in the World Rally Championship's season-ending Rally Saudi Arabia to pip Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans to the crown.
13h ago
Micron to invest $9.6 billion in western Japan plant, report says
Micron will build the facility within the compound of its Hiroshima plant, starting in May, with plans to launch high-bandwidth memory chips shipments around 2028.
14h ago
Japan to accelerate talks over revision to medical service fees
According to a health ministry survey, about 60% of general hospitals in the country posted red ink in fiscal 2024.
15h ago
U.K. unveils record-breaking bid for 2035 Women's World Cup
The bid team said the 48-nation tournament would be the biggest single-sport event ever staged in the U.K.
15h ago
Japan and South Korea considering joint bid for 2035 men's Asian Cup
A Korea Football Association official said that the country's soccer chiefs are considering various options and co-hosting with Japan is "one possible strategy."
16h ago
Bears run over Eagles 24-15 in NFL's Black Friday clash
With their ninth win in 10 games, the Bears improved to 9-3 and maintained their hold on first place in the NFC North division.
16h ago
Death toll in Southeast Asia floods tops 350
Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia this week, killing hundreds and leaving thousands stranded.
17h ago
Japan to seek steps on foreign threats in new cybersecurity strategy
The new strategy will set out policy goals for the next five years for a longer-term perspective.
17h ago
Knicks book NBA Cup quarterfinal berth as Spurs down Nuggets to advance
The Knicks pulled away thanks in large part to Jalen Brunson, who had 37 points in the victory.
17h ago
Ayub Bliev takes first judo title for Russia since neutral status lifted
Bliev and his compatriots had their neutral athlete status, implemented in February 2022 due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, lifted on Thursday.
17h ago
Hong Kong blaze spotlights enduring role of city's foreign domestic helpers
Among the missing are some of the city's 368,000 foreign domestic helpers, mostly women contracted from low-income Asian countries.
17h ago
Verstappen suffers setback in title bid, qualifies behind Tsunoda
The Dutchman will start sixth in Saturday's sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix, behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda on the third row.
18h ago
Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze that killed 128 and counting
The toll in the fire is likely to rise, with 200 others still unaccounted for days after the disaster.
18h ago
U.S. killed survivors of strike on alleged drug boat, reports say
Prior to an operation, U.S. troops had been given a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to kill everyone on board, The Washington Post and CNN both reported.
19h ago
Imperial Palace street opened to public for autumn season
Until Dec. 7, visitors can enter the 750-meter street from the Sakashita gate and exit through the Inui gate between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
19h ago
Anime event in Shanghai canceled after singer's show interrupted
Japan-related events in China have been canceled one after another amid growing backlash over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.
19h ago
Speculation growing for December rate hike by BOJ
Recent remarks by senior BOJ officials indicate the central bank is willing to revise its monetary policy soon.
23h ago
A rare dance trinity: Ballet, butoh and kabuki share the stage
In the uncertain realm between life and death dwell mystical creatures — tengu demons, yōkai folklore monsters and spirits of the dead. It’s these shadows that choreographer and director Kaiji Moriyam...
1d ago
<i>Kagura</i> and <i>onsen</i> culture to be recommended for UNESCO heritage
A government panel has chosen kagura, a Japanese traditional performing art, and onsen hot spring culture as candidates for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage designation.
1d ago
Five sets of Ainu remains to be returned from Britain
It will be the fourth time that Ainu remains have been returned to Japan from abroad.
1d ago
Tattoo ink moves through body, killing immune cells and weakening vaccine response
New research shows tattoo ink moves rapidly into the lymphatic system, where it can persist for months, kill immune cells, and even disrupt how the body responds to vaccines.
1d ago
'Just silence': Families mourn elderly loved ones after Hong Kong inferno
The subsidized housing complex that went ablaze on Wednesday claimed at least 128 lives, with hundreds still missing.
1d ago
Huawei and ZTE seal 5G deals in Vietnam as China ties warm after U.S. tariffs
Hanoi's strengthening bonds with Beijing is stirring concern among Western officials, seven people with direct knowledge of the situation said.
1d ago
Driven by TikTok trends, new beauty brands target children
A growing number of companies are targeting a new generation of kids who have grown up with TikTok skin care and make-up routines.
1d ago
In Japan, beloved pets receive human-style farewells
Japan has the highest rate of cremation in the world, and increasingly, that applies to departed pets as well.
1d ago
Trump sharpens focus on legal immigration after National Guard shooting
Critics say the Trump administration is using an isolated incident to unfairly demonize immigrants from Afghanistan and other nations labeled as security risks.
1d ago
Chasing dragons across the temples of Nara
In two rural prefectures, dragon myths — and a cave that purports to host some — make for a unique way to explore the Japanese countryside.
1d ago
Trump and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro spoke last week, report says
The two reportedly discussed a meeting in what would be the first-ever encounter between the authoritarian Venezuelan leader and a U.S. president.
1d ago
Ukraine's Zelenskyy removes powerful top aide after anti-corruption raids
Andriy Yermak's removal deals a serious blow to Zelenskyy, who is facing a mounting Russian offensive in the east just as the U.S. a crucial ally, peddles a plan to end the war
1d ago
Airbus issues major A320 recall, threatening widespread global disruption
The fix mainly involves reverting to earlier software and is relatively simple, but must be carried out before the planes can fly again.
1d ago
Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades followed a year of safety complaints
People living at Wang Fuk Court in northern Hong Kong had repeatedly raised concerns over fire hazards related to maintenance activity.
1d ago
Record 76% of people in Japan value ties with South Korea, survey shows
The improvement apparently reflected efforts by the two countries' leaders to develop ties.
1d ago
Japan political parties boost spending on online outreach
Sanseito, which significantly expanded its seats in the July election for the Upper House, paid a total of ¥37 million in advertising fees to Google Japan in 2024.
1d ago
LDP-led coalition regains Lower House majority with three independents' backing
With the three lawmakers in the LDP's in-house group, the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will be able to pass key budget bills without opposition support.
1d ago
At Cuore in Hokkaido, lamb offal plays more than a bit part
Chef Yuya Urushizaki takes a nose-to-tail approach when cooking, turning typically wasted cuts of sheep into gourmet delicacies.
1d ago
Toilet turmoil at Haneda Airport terminal
Electrical problems with pumps supplying water to facilities were behind a blockage of most of the toilets in Haneda Airport's Terminal 2, an airport operator spokesperson said.
1d ago
Bear insurance takes off in Japan amid surge in deadly attacks
A record total of 13 people have died from bear attacks in the country since April.
1d ago
Anti-NHK group leader Tachibana indicted for defamation
Takashi Tachibana had been arrested Nov. 9 for allegedly disseminating false information about a former Hyogo prefectural assembly member.
1d ago
Labor group Rengo to seek wage hike of 5% or more for next year
The umbrella body for labor unions across the country will aim to achieve the levels of pay hikes attained this year to improve the living standards of workers.
1d ago
Court rejects injunctions against Mihama and Takahama nuclear reactors
Local residents had sought to halt the operations of aging reactors run by Kansai Electric Power in Fukui Prefecture.
1d ago
Japan to issue more short-term debt to fund Takaichi’s stimulus
The Cabinet has approved a ¥18.3 trillion extra budget to fund the largest round of fresh spending in a stimulus package since the scaling back of pandemic restrictions.
1d ago
Hokkaido governor backs restart of Tomari nuclear plant
Hokkaido Electric Power is looking to restart the plant’s 912,000-kilowatt No. 3 reactor in early 2027.
1d ago
Cowboys hold off Chiefs on Thanksgiving to bolster NFL playoff bid
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow also returned from a nine-game absence to lead the Bengals to a 32-14 victory in Baltimore that snapped the Ravens' five-game winning streak.
1d ago
Japan eyeing much higher visa fees for foreign nationals
The government is considering raising the fee for permanent residency to as high as ¥300,000.
1d ago
Koizumi’s significant (and insignificant) Yonaguni visit
The timing of Koizumi's visit amid the ongoing China-Japan tension made this stop there much more interesting than it otherwise would have been.