Tag: Japan

US, Japan open trade talks seeking quick deal

by Heather SCOTT with Kyoko HASEGAWA in Tokyo WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US and Japanese negotiators opened the first round of trade talks on Monday in the latest front in President Donald Trump’s aggressive, multi-pronged strategy to address “chronic US trade imbalances.” US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer welcomed the team from Tokyo led by Japan’s Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at the start of two days of talks looking for a rapid deal. After launching […]

Wreckage of missing Japan fighter jet found, pilot missing

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Wreckage from a Japanese F-35A stealth fighter jet has been found a day after it disappeared off the radar over the Pacific, the country’s defense minister said Wednesday. There was no word yet on the fate of the one pilot on board the jet, Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya said. “We have collected part of its tail” in search operations at sea with planes and vessels, Iwaya told reporters. “We believe it crashed,” […]

Japan F-35 fighter disappears over Pacific

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Japanese F-35A stealth fighter jet with one pilot on board disappeared off the radar while on a training mission over the Pacific late Tuesday, the defense ministry said. The fighter jet went missing around 7:30 pm (1030 GMT) as it was flying some 135 kilometers (84 miles) east of Misawa, northeastern Japan, a ministry spokeswoman said. The plane lost contact about 30 minutes after taking off from Misawa Air Base […]

Japan probe sends ‘impactor’ to blast asteroid

by Miwa SUZUKI TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Japanese probe on Friday launched an explosive device at an asteroid, aiming to blast a crater in the surface and scoop up material that could shed light on how the solar system evolved. The explosive mission is the riskiest yet attempted by the Japanese space agency’s Hayabusa2 probe that aims to reveal more about the origins of life on Earth. Hayabusa2 released the so-called “small carry-on impactor” […]

‘I have names’: Ghosn vows to clear his name in Japan trial

PARIS, France (AFP) — Former auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn vowed to prove his innocence of alleged financial misdeeds but raised doubts about receiving a fair trial in Japan, in an interview with French television just before he was re-arrested on Thursday. The ousted boss of Nissan and Renault, whose case has gripped Japan and the rest of the business world, said in the interview that if his trial was fair he was “not worried”. But […]

Ex-Nissan chief Ghosn rearrested in Tokyo: media

by Karyn Nishimura Agence France-Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) – Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn was rearrested early Thursday in Tokyo while out on bail, local media said, as prosecutors investigate a fresh charge against the auto tycoon. Authorities arrested the 65-year-old less than a month after he was dramatically freed on bail following more than 100 days in detention. Public broadcaster NHK and other media said prosecutors had entered Ghosn’s temporary accommodation in central Tokyo early […]

Reiwa: A new imperial era name for Japan

  by Shingo Ito and Richard Carter Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — “Reiwa”: Japan Monday revealed the name of the era that will define the new emperor’s reign when he ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne next month following the first abdication in around 200 years. The new imperial name consists of two characters: “Rei”, which can mean “order” but also “auspicious” and “Wa”, usually translated as “peace” or “harmony.” After weeks of fevered speculation […]

Emperor burger: Tokyo chef whips up $900 monster for new monarch

by Alastair HIMMER TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Tokyo restaurant is honoring the crowning of the new Japanese emperor next month with a football-sized wagyu beef hamburger served between gold-dusted buns — at an eye-watering cost of $900. The juicy three-kilogram (six-pound) whopper, painstakingly prepared by chefs at the swanky Oak Door steakhouse in Tokyo’s Roppongi district went on sale Monday. It measures 25 centimeters (10 inches) in diameter and is topped with foie gras, […]

Japan reveals new ‘era’ name ahead of emperor’s abdication

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan on Monday announced its new imperial era, which will begin next month after Emperor Akihito abdicates, will be known as “Reiwa”, a word that includes the character for “harmony”. The name consists of two characters: “Rei”, which can have meanings related to “order” but also “auspicious” and “Wa”, usually translated as “peace” or “harmony”. The government is expected to explain the official meaning as well as the English spelling for […]

Japan business confidence drops in April: BoJ survey

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Confidence among Japan’s biggest manufacturers fell sharply this quarter, the Bank of Japan’s quarterly business survey showed Monday, suggesting a stuttering recovery for the world’s third-largest economy. The central bank’s April Tankan report — a quarterly survey of about 10,000 companies — showed a reading of 12 among major manufacturers, a steep fall from 19 in the previous quarter. Economists say a slowdown in the Chinese economy was partly to blame, with […]

Japan’s Emperor Akihito ends reign marked by modernization

by Hiroshi HIYAMA TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernized the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. Akihito has broken new ground with everything from his decision to marry for love to his outspoken calls for peace and expressions of regret over Japan’s wartime role. His approach has at times unsettled those who view the emperor as a divine priest […]