Politics News in Japan

What is Japan’s new intelligence agency, and why is Tokyo building it?

Japan plans to launch its first centralised intelligence body with help from Western allies.

Japan Builds Intelligence Agency It Hasn’t Had Since World War II

Facing threats from Russia and China, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is turning to help from Western allies in forming a centralized agency.

Japan’s ‘destructive potential’ in South China Sea may eclipse the US: analyst

A prominent Chinese maritime analyst has sounded the alarm over Japan’s increasing military presence in the South China Sea, warning it has a “destructive potential” that could ...

Iran: Rising regional power or too weak to make peace?

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, July 13: Papers analyse Iran's strategy against the United States. In Japan, a quiet refuge has emerged for Russian spies. And finally, the story of a dog...

Rush to reassure on BOJ independence after bonds and yen signal concern

A line from a draft policy document caused a shock and led to a quick edit and series of clarifying statements.

Japan is building a new intelligence agency with help from the West

Japanese leaders have privately approached allies such as the United States, Australia and Germany in recent months for advice on technology, staffing and priorities.

Tokyo’s ties with Beijing hit another bump, this time over the South China Sea

China singled out Japan over a joint, 14-nation statement marking the 10th anniversary of an international tribunal's dismissal of Beijing's vast claims to the waterway.

Japan Is Building a New Intelligence Agency With Help From the West

Facing threats from Russia and China, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is breaking with World War II-era limits on security.

Why Japan won’t let women be emperor

With only three men eligible to inherit Japan’s throne, the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy is confronting a succession crisis. Its proposed solution: restore male descendant...

Russia goes to Japan for tech in Ukraine war: Report

Russia has used Japan as a base for tech and spying in its war against Ukraine, according to a new report from The New York Times. According to the Times report, released Sunday...

‘Islamic Republic of Japan’: Trump’s verbal flubs are piling up

President Donald Trump has not been charitable about politicians’ verbal gaffes. He’s got his own increasing collection.

Japan and others mark 10 years since South China sea arbitration

The countries stressed that the 2016 decision in The Hague "is final, legally binding and definitive between China and the Philippines" regarding their territorial row.

How Putin turned Japan into a den of spies

Japan has long been known as a spy paradise, in part because of post-World War II constraints that keep the country's intelligence services weak.

Tehran Rose and the anti-US influencers nurtured by academia and the media

At least Tokyo Rose (shown here in 1976 and ultimately pardoned by President Gerald Ford) could credibly claim she had been held in Japan against her will.

Yogi Government's Mega Plan To Turn Talented Village Youth Into Officers

Japan weighing AI agents for understaffed local governments

A study group will compile an interim report by the end of fiscal 2026 and aim to release its final report around summer 2027.

Ukraine eyes Japan’s Mitsubishi for help with Patriot missiles

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv is interested in working with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, one of the few companies licensed to manufacture the weapons.

America's leading Asian allies pummel freedom of religion

Japan and South Korea are both prosperous, successful democracies and core American allies -- but both Asian powerhouses have, in recent months, cracked down on religious freedom.

Asian powers consolidate regional alliances beyond US, China

Countries including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have all begun upgrading domestic military manufacturing capacity.

Foreign workers feel the heat as Japan hardens nationalist stance

On this week's edition of Access Asia, we bring you a report from Japan, where visa fees have been increased for foreign nationals applying for permanent residency. The governme...