TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet reshuffle on Thursday has effectively kicked off positioning ahead of next year’s contest for the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, with a potential…
Category: Asia
Bank of Japan poised to raise rates again as inflation, weak yen, and U.S. pressure mount
TOKYO — The Bank of Japan looks set to raise interest rates again this week, aiming to counter inflation driven by surging energy prices and to shore up the yen, all while…
Great powers must reassure smaller nations as power shifts, says Singapore’s Chan Chun Sing
BEIJING — Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing has said that major powers should be ready to meet higher expectations from smaller countries, which may feel insecure and in need of reassurance…
China’s defence minister warns against “historical revisionism” in remarks seen as veiled rebuke of Japan
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun called on Wednesday for nations to avoid provocative behaviour and resist what he described as a resurgence of regressive historical trends, in remarks widely interpreted as an…
South Korea, Iran discuss Strait of Hormuz tensions in phone call between foreign ministers
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on Friday, covering the broader situation in the Middle East, including the question of freedom of…
Thai policeman surrenders after 18-hour standoff following wife’s killing at kindergarten
BANGKOK — A Thai police officer accused of fatally shooting his wife at the kindergarten where she worked gave himself up early on September 10, ending a standoff that stretched beyond 18…
Japan plans GPS tracking trial for sex offenders on parole
Japan’s Justice Ministry is preparing to pilot a GPS tracking program for sex offenders on parole, with a target launch as early as fiscal year 2027, a ministry official said Tuesday. Under…
Eight of Singapore’s 20 F-35 jets will be based at Tengah, the rest in the US: Dept of War report
Singapore’s acquisition of 20 F-35 stealth fighters and related equipment cost US$4.06 billion (S$5.17 billion), according to a US Department of War report. This is the first official disclosure of the total…
Takaichi vows to speed up AI, unmanned defense asset introduction
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told senior members of the Self-Defense Forces on Wednesday that Japan needs to speed up the use of artificial intelligence and unmanned defense assets ahead of the planned…
Russia slams Japanese drills with U.S. and Australia, says U.S. Typhon missile systems pose threat
Russia on Tuesday criticized upcoming joint military exercises between Japan, Australia and the United States and said it had formally protested to Tokyo over the planned deployment of U.S. Typhon missile launchers,…