Japan will cease to function as a society if its birth rate continues to decline, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday, urging his government to create a “children-first economic society”. “Japan is at a critical point of whether we can continue to function as a society. Focusing on policies regarding children and child-rearing is…

Japanese and Canadian leaders on Thursday discussed expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, as well as their approach to the increasing military assertiveness of the Chinese Communist regime in the Indo-Pacific region. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Thursday as part of his tour to the…

Japan and Italy on Tuesday agreed to strengthen their bilateral cooperation in the areas of security and economy amid growing concerns over the security challenges posed by the Chinese Communist regime. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Italy on Tuesday as part of his weeklong tour of G-7…

The United States and Japan will hold talks between their foreign and defense ministers about strengthening their security alliance in the face of communist China’s growing military threats, Japan’s government said on Jan. 6. Japan’s Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi will meet with their U.S. counterparts, Secretary of…

Japan’s ruling bloc agreed on Friday to increase taxes to fund a substantial increase in the country’s defense spending but stopped short of deciding when the measure would go into effect. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has planned to increase defense spending to 43 trillion yen ($315 billion), or 2 percent of gross domestic product, over…

The leaders of Japan and South Korea have agreed to resolve “pending issues” between their two nations and work together to tackle North Korea’s ongoing missile provocations. The agreement was made following the first formal meeting between Japanese and South Korean leaders in about three years. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President…

Japan’s prime minister vowed on Sunday to bolster Japan’s defenses alongside the U.S. and its allies as the country hosted another international fleet review to mark the birth of its Naval forces. The review was held in Sagami Bay near Tokyo with the participation of 18 vessels from 12 nations, including the United States, South…

Japan and Australia have signed a joint security pact allowing them to consult on “contingencies” that threaten their national security interests amid growing concerns over China–Taiwan tensions. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, signed a joint declaration (pdf) in Perth on Saturday, which is an updated version of a declaration…

With flowers, prayers, and a 19-gun salute, Japan honored slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years. Thousands of mourners flooded to designated spots near the venue from early morning to pay their last respects. Within hours, about 10,000 people had laid flowers,…

Japan has pledged to contribute $30 billion over three years to support Africa’s development and economy as it seeks to enhance cooperation with Africa amid China’s growing influence. “Japan aspires to be a partner growing together with Africa,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a virtual address to the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African…