Tokyo

US def secy in Japan to discuss safety of Osprey aircraft, security ties

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is in Japan on Tuesday to meet with Japanese officials and reaffirm the importance of their alliance and the US commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin's visit also comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Osprey military aircraft, which have been grounded in the United States following a near-crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident, caused by weakened metal components, was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The US measure has not affected Ospreys operated by Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force. Japanese officials are discussing the issue with the US military and will respond appropriately," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Tuesday. Austin is scheduled to hold separate talks with his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba later Tuesday, according to Japanese officials. Nakatani told reporters t

India, Japan hold first round of economic security, strategic trade talks

The first round of the India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, including Strategic Trade and Technology, was held in Tokyo on Wednesday during which the two sides underscored the need for "closer collaboration" to protect economic interests and build resilient supply chains and critical infrastructure in identified sectors. Both sides also agreed to bring "concrete results" through enhanced holistic collaboration in focus areas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri co-chaired the 1st round of India-Japan Dialogue on Economic Security, including Strategic Trade and Technology, in Tokyo on November 27, 2024 along with Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Masataka Okano," the MEA said in a statement. The dialogue, attended by stakeholder ministries, departments and agencies from both the governments, was announced during the India-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting held in New Delhi on August 20. The meeting in Tokyo provided an ..

Japanese Princess Yuriko, Emperor Hirohito's sister-in-law, dies at 101

Japanese Princess Yuriko, the wife of wartime Emperor Hirohito's brother and the oldest member of the imperial family, has died after her health deteriorated recently, palace officials said. She was 101. Yuriko died Friday at a Tokyo hospital, the Imperial Household Agency said. It did not announce the cause of death, but Japanese media said she died of pneumonia. Born in 1923 as an aristocrat, Yuriko married at age 18 to Prince Mikasa, the younger brother of Hirohito and the uncle of current Emperor Naruhito, months before the start of World War II. She has recounted living in a shelter with her husband and their baby daughter after their residence was burned down in the U.S. fire bombings of Tokyo in the final months of the war in 1945. Yuriko raised five children and supported Mikasa's research into ancient Near Eastern history, while also serving her official duties and taking part in philanthropic activities. She outlived her husband and all three sons. Her death reduces Japa

Tokyo Metro likely to raise $2.3 billion in Japan's biggest IPO in 6 years

One of Tokyo's two major subway operators, Tokyo Metro is set to announce the pricing later today and list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Oct 23

Tokyo Metro looks to raise up to $2.4 bn in largest Japan IPO since 2018

The final IPO price for the subway operator, which is owned by the Tokyo and national governments, will be decided on Oct

Tokyo Electron readies for India foray as PM Modi woos chipmakers

Japan's biggest chip equipment maker plans to hire and train local engineers in or around 2026, with their first task to provide technical services to Tata Electronics

Paralympians make giant strides but await India Inc's leap of faith

Para shooter and silver medal winner at Paris Games, Manish Narwal, says it may take 4-5 years more for the corporate world to take up interest in para-sports

Japan PM Kishida seeks to solidify S Korea ties on farewell visit

The leaders will review progress on their efforts to step up cooperation between the countries and discuss ways to deepen their partnership, according to Yoon's office

Slow tropical storm dumps rain around Tokyo after flooding southern Japan

A slow-moving tropical storm had a far-reaching impact in much of Japan on Friday, dumping heavy rain around Tokyo and flooding roads and riverside areas in the south. Flooding was reported in a number of areas in Kanagawa prefecture, west of Tokyo, where floodwater blocked roads, stalling vehicles and traffic. Warnings for heavy rain and potential landslides included the densely populated capital, Kanagawa and nearby Shizuoka prefecture. Muddy water flowed down the Meguro River in one of Tokyo's popular cherry blossom viewing spots, the water significantly swollen from its usual levels, NHK television footage showed. In Hiratsuka town, dozens of cars in a parking lot sat in water just below their windows. A pedestrian waded through floodwater as high as his thighs. In another Kanagawa town, Ninomiya, floodwater from a river stalled vehicles on a street and broken tree branches were stuck on a bridge over the swollen water. Tropical Storm Shanshan made landfall Thursday morning on

116-year-old Japanese woman all set to be named as world's oldest person

According to Guinness World Records, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka will soon be named as world's oldest woman after the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas

Japanese worried after first-ever megaquake advisory. What does it mean?

Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone nations on earth, issued its first-ever megaquake advisory last week after a powerful quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern main island of Kyushu. The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage but the advisory has led to widespread confusion and a lingering sense of worry in a country well accustomed to regular quakes about when the next big one will hit. The Associated Press explains what the advisory means, what people are being told to do, and what could happen if a massive quake hits Japan. What is a megaquake advisory? The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the advisory after concluding that the magnitude 7.1 quake that struck on August 8 on the western edge of the Nankai Trough increased the likelihood of another big one. There is a 70-80 per cent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years, and the probability is now higher than normal after the latest .

From Paris, with love: A 'brand' welcome awaits India's Olympic stars

Neeraj Chopra, India's most affable athlete with an angelic smile, failed to defend his javelin gold three years ago, to settle for silver

Paris blues

India had many near misses at Olympics

Japan punishes defence officials for mishandling sensitive data, misconduct

Japan's defence ministry announced disciplinary action on Friday against more than 200 senior officials and service members over mishandling of classified materials and other misconduct, an embarrassment that could undermine Tokyo's efforts to work more closely with United States and other partners. Japan's Defence Ministry and its Self Defence Forces have been under scrutiny over allegations that members of the navy violated the sensitive information protection law, as well as other misconduct such as falsely claiming allowances for special assignments, or wrongfully claiming free meals at base cafeterias. Ministerial staff were also accused of abuses of power. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara apologised, saying the problems significantly damaging to the public trust for the ministry and Japan's defence forces. I'm keenly aware of my responsibility. He blamed a lack of discipline across the organisation. Kihara said the ministry's investigation found that classified information was

Myanmar junta arrests 11 for inflating rice prices, including Japanese

In Tokyo, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that a Japanese national is being questioned by police in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon

It can happen in Japan only

In a world where urban development often trumps aesthetics, the voluntary demolition of a building in Tokyo to preserve a cherished view sets a rare precedent

Japan Airlines signs a codeshare pact with IndiGo to expand its services

Japan Airlines on Monday said it has entered into a codeshare arrangement with IndiGo, which would help the Japanese carrier expand services to 14 destinations of the domestic carrier's network. At present, Japan Airlines operates its services to Delhi and Bengaluru from Tokyo. It offers daily flight services to the national capital from Haneda Airport, while its thrice-a-week services to Bengaluru are operated from Narita Airport. "Japan Airlines (JAL) and IndiGo have agreed on codeshare partnership which will benefit the customers by providing more travel options between Japan and India," a statement said. The codeshare partnership will allow Japan Airlines to strengthen its connectivity into India initially, while enabling more travel options for IndiGo customers on JAL's extensive domestic and international network in later phases, the statement said. The partnership will enable codeshare on India routes that connect to JAL-operated flights from/to Delhi and Bengaluru, as per t

Air India enters into codeshare pact with Japan's All Nippon Airways

Air India has entered into a codeshare partnership with Japan's All Nippon Airways. With the codeshare, effective for travel from May 23, Air India and All Nippon Airways passengers can fly to their desired destination by combining those flights between India and Japan with a single ticket. Air India will add its 'AI' designator code on ANA's flights between Tokyo Haneda and Delhi as well as Tokyo Narita and Mumbai. ANA will add its 'NH' designator code on Air India's flight between Tokyo Narita and Delhi, a release said on Tuesday. Both airlines are considering further expanding their cooperation on additional routes. Now, Tata Group-owned Air India, which is expanding its presence, has codeshare partnerships with 15 airlines, including ANA .

Hidden billions in Tokyo real estate market lure activist hedge funds

In Japan, there's a huge gap -22 trn yen ($143 bn) by one estimate - between how firms value their real estate assets on their books, versus what those properties would fetch if sold in current market

Microsoft to invest $2.9 billon to expand AI, cloud infra in Japan

The investment - the company's largest in the 46 years of its operations in the country - will also go towards skilling three million people in AI and setting up a Microsoft Research Asia lab in Tokyo