japan

Japan Ban On Same Sex Marriage Ruling Upheld In Tokyo Court

Japan Ban On Same Sex Marriage Ruling Upheld In Tokyo Court

November 28, 2025 4:11 am

A high court in Tokyo has upheld Japan’s current ban on same sex marriage, ruling on Friday that the law does not breach the constitution. The decision runs counter to several earlier rulings across the country that had raised hopes among campaigners for full marriage rights.

The outcome is significant because Japan remains the only G7 nation without legal marriage for same sex couples. Supporters had expected Tokyo to come into line with other courts that found the ban incompatible with equality guarantees.

The panel of judges, led by Ayumi Higashi, said the matter should be considered in parliament first, …

China Japan Tensions Escalate Over Yonaguni Missile Plan

China Japan Tensions Escalate Over Yonaguni Missile Plan

November 24, 2025 8:16 am

China sharply criticised Japan on Monday for moving ahead with plans to station a new missile unit on an island close to Taiwan, calling the step a deliberate attempt to heighten regional friction at a time when the two countries are already facing their toughest diplomatic rift in years.

The comment from Beijing came after Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed that preparations were advancing to deploy a medium-range surface-to-air missile unit on Yonaguni, a remote island roughly 110 kilometres off Taiwan’s east coast. The upgrade is part of Tokyo’s broader defence restructuring in response to rising concerns over China’s …

Japan To Restart Biggest Nuclear Plant In The World

Japan To Restart Biggest Nuclear Plant In The World

November 21, 2025 1:33 am

Japan will learn on Friday whether Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi will approve the partial restart of the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear plant, a decision that could shape the country’s energy policy for years. His announcement is expected at four in the afternoon local time.

The outcome carries major weight because Kashiwazaki Kariwa is the largest nuclear power station on earth. Approval would clear the final hurdle for operator Tokyo Electric Power Company, better known as TEPCO, to move ahead with plans to bring two of the plant’s biggest reactors back online.

The restart would mark TEPCO’s first since the 2011 earthquake …

Japanese Retail Rice Prices Climb To Highest Level On Record

Japanese Retail Rice Prices Climb To Highest Level On Record

November 19, 2025 1:40 pm

Japan’s retail rice price reaches an all-time high despite a strong harvest, extending a six-week surge and deepening pressures on household budgets.

Retail rice prices in Japan have climbed to their highest level since the government relaxed emergency stockpile releases, underscoring persistent cost pressures facing households despite expectations of improved supply this year.

According to data released Friday November 14, 2025, by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the average price of rice sold at supermarkets nationwide reached 4,444 JPY — roughly US$28 — per 5-kilogram bag during the week ending Sunday November 16, 2025. The figure represents an …

Japan Issues Travel Advisory To Citizens In China

Japan Issues Travel Advisory To Citizens In China

November 18, 2025 4:12 am

Japan has issued a safety advisory for its citizens in China, urging them to avoid crowded areas and stay vigilant, after relations between Tokyo and Beijing deteriorated over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. The warning comes as a senior Japanese foreign ministry official travels to Beijing to seek de-escalation.

The development marks one of the sharpest diplomatic ruptures between Asia’s two largest economies in recent years and carries potential economic fallout, especially for tourism.

The advisory from the Japanese embassy in China came after media coverage in China turned sharply hostile toward Takaichi. Officials urged Japanese nationals …

REUTERS/BOJ Rate Hike Outlook Takes Center Stage In Ueda, Takaichi Talks

BOJ Rate Hike Outlook Takes Center Stage In Ueda, Takaichi Talks

November 18, 2025 3:38 am

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda told Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday that the central bank is moving carefully as it adjusts monetary support in an effort to bring inflation toward the two percent goal. His remarks followed their first one to one meeting since Takaichi took office last month.

Ueda said the two held open discussions on price trends, financial conditions and the path for monetary policy. He added that they also reviewed recent currency movements, stressing that it is preferable for exchange rates to remain stable and reflect Japan’s economic fundamentals.

The meeting drew intense scrutiny from …

Francis Abu Begins Recovery After Successful Surgery

Francis Abu Begins Recovery After Successful Surgery

November 16, 2025 6:42 am

Ghanaian midfielder Francis Abu has taken the first major step on his long road back to football after undergoing successful surgery in Japan. The operation followed the devastating injury he suffered during Ghana’s recent friendly against the Blue Samurai—an incident that immediately silenced the stadium and left teammates visibly shaken.

The challenge, an accidental but forceful contact as both players attacked a loose ball, resulted in a serious leg injury that required urgent medical intervention and swift transfer to a specialized facility.

Doctors in Japan confirmed that the procedure went according to plan, noting that the early response and timely …

Japan China Travel Warning Sparks New Tensions Over Taiwan

Japan China Travel Warning Sparks New Tensions Over Taiwan

November 15, 2025 6:33 am

Japan called on China to take “appropriate measures” on Saturday after Beijing warned Chinese citizens against traveling to Japan, the latest escalation in a diplomatic clash sparked by comments from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo had “conveyed the message to China and strongly asked it to take appropriate actions,” according to Japanese media. He did not specify what measures Japan expected China to take.

The dispute marks a new flashpoint in already strained Sino-Japanese relations, showing growing regional unease over Taiwan’s security and China’s expanding military activities.

China’s travel advisory, released Friday, …

Japan And US Partner To Mine Rare Earths Near Pacific Island

Japan And US Partner To Mine Rare Earths Near Pacific Island

November 13, 2025 6:41 pm

Japan and the United States plan joint extraction of rare earth minerals near Minamitorishima to reduce both countries dependence on China.

Japan and the United States have announced a joint initiative to extract rare earth minerals from waters near the remote Pacific island of Minamitorishima, as both countries seek to reduce their reliance on China for these critical resources.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the project will begin with a demonstration test in January 2026, targeting mud deposits located approximately 6,000 meters below the ocean surface. Surveys conducted near the island, about 1,950 kilometers southeast of central Tokyo, indicate significant …

Japan Deploys Troops To Contain Surge In Bear Attacks

Japan Deploys Troops To Contain Surge In Bear Attacks

November 5, 2025 10:05 am

Japan has deployed military troops to its northern region of Akita after a sharp rise in bear attacks left communities fearful and struggling to respond. The rare operation marks the first time in years that the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have been called in to support wildlife control efforts.

Authorities in Kazuno, a small mountain town surrounded by dense forests, requested military support this week after bear sightings and attacks reached record levels.

According to Japan’s Environment Ministry, more than 100 people have been mauled by bears since April, with at least 12 fatalities, the highest toll ever recorded. Nearly two-thirds …

Sanae Takaichi Faces Criticism Over Trump Diplomacy

Sanae Takaichi Faces Criticism Over Trump Diplomacy

November 4, 2025 10:01 am

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi received both commendation and criticism in parliament on Tuesday following her high-profile diplomatic debut, which included hosting U.S. President Donald Trump during her first week in office.

The 63-year-old leader, Japan’s first female prime minister, has drawn strong domestic approval for her energetic start, but opposition lawmakers accused her of “flattery diplomacy” after reports she planned to nominate Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, a move confirmed by the White House.

During a parliamentary session, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, congratulated Takaichi on her “big smiles” and “energetic diplomacy,” …

Suspect Pleads Guilty To Killing Shinzo Abe In Japan Court

Suspect Pleads Guilty To Killing Shinzo Abe In Japan Court

October 28, 2025 7:16 am

The suspect in the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe admitted in court on Tuesday that he shot and killed the country’s longest serving leader during a campaign event in 2022.

Forty five year old Tetsuya Yamagami told judges at the Nara District Court that he accepted all of the charges read to him by prosecutors, including murder and violations of firearms control laws. According to AFP, he stated, Everything is true when asked to confirm his confession.

The shooting shocked Japan and drew international attention because gun violence in the country is extremely rare.

Abe was speaking …

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𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤, is a nonpartisan online news portal founded on the truth to provide you with weekly, insightful articles written with precision and current updates on current events from Africa in particular and the rest of the world in general. All of our reports undergo extensive fact-checking to ensure their veracity, and we adhere strictly to the facts, no matter whose ox is gored.

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