Germany’s Merz says Putin, Zelenskiy to meet within next two weeks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz credited U.S. President Donald Trump with persuading Russia’s President to agree to a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart.
This meeting, to which Vladimir Putin agreed during a phone call with Trump, would take place at a yet-to-be-determined…[Read more]

Wadephul visits Japan: key partner in Asia

A meeting with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya in the capital city Tokyo marked the start of Federal Minister Johann Wadephul’s inaugural visit to Japan. In view of the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip as well as the evolving relations with the USA, Wadephul highlighted the role of cooperation…[Read more]

South Korea criticises Japanese officials’ visit to Tokyo war shrine

The South Korean government expressed “deep disappointment and regret” over Japanese officials visiting a Tokyo war shrine on Friday and said future relations must be built on Japan showing remorse for past wrongs, its foreign ministry said.
Japan marked the 80th anniversary of…[Read more]

Memories of two survivors of Japanese PoW boat

The families of two men who survived the sinking of a Japanese prisoner of war ship during World War Two have told their stories to mark 80 years since VJ Day.

There were 1,800 prisoners aboard Lisbon Maru when it sank in the South China Sea on 2 October 1942, including Sgt Cyril Mace from…[Read more]

Sixth University Student Arrested in Expo Mascot Goods Theft Case

A university student in Tokyo has been arrested in connection with the theft of goods from the official store at the Expo site, bringing the total number of suspects in the case to six.

According to police, Akihiro Kono, 20, a resident of Tokyo’s Kita Ward, is accused of s…[Read more]

Passengers Evacuated From Smoking Tokaido Shinkansen

The Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama was halted and partially suspended on Friday night after white smoke began pouring out from under the train’s carriage between Maibara and Gifu-Hashima.

According to police and Central Japan Railway (JR Tokai), at around 9:45 p.m., the conductor of the upbound…[Read more]

German economists disappointed by Merz government’s slow reforms, survey shows

Economists in Germany say the new government’s lack of structural reforms, particularly to curb pensions costs, poses long term problems for Germany, even though a massive spending program will boost the economy in the short run.
Germany’s anaemic economy could be…[Read more]

European leaders comment on teleconference with Trump on Ukraine

Donald Trump joined a teleconference with European leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, two days before the U.S. leader is due to hold a summit in Alaska with Russia’s Vladimir Putin to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT…[Read more]

Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz marks 100 days in office

Friedrich Merz has begun curbing irregular immigration and shaping foreign policy, while cracks are appearing in his government.

Germany’s largest-circulation tabloid, Bild, has passed judgment on Chancellor Friedrich Merz : “The solitary chancellor explains his biggest mistake,” the…[Read more]

Japan’s deepening political woes cloud budget, rate hike timing

Japan’s deepening political uncertainty risks prolonging policy paralysis that could affect the drafting of next year’s budget and the timing of the central bank’s next interest rate hike, analysts say, clouding the outlook for the fragile economy.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is…[Read more]

Japan weather bureau says 60% chance of La Nina not occurring

Japan’s weather bureau said on Tuesday that there was a 60% chance that the La Nina phenomenon would not occur and normal weather patterns would continue towards the Northern Hemisphere winter.
A La Nina weather event is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the…[Read more]

Budget Request Ceilings: Where Is The Mechanism To Curb Spending?

How can the ballooning national budget be curbed without cutting existing expenditures? Government ministries and agencies must not request funds without carefully reviewing the necessity of projects.

The government has approved at a Cabinet meeting the budget request ceilings,…[Read more]

Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Races to Record High, SoftBank Leads Tech Surge

Japan’s Nikkei share gauge .N225 powered to an all-time high on Tuesday, driven by sharp gains for tech companies and renewed optimism over trade with the United States.

With financial markets reopening after a holiday in Japan on Monday, the stock benchmark caught up…[Read more]

Ishiba says he will assess his responsibility based on election review

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday that he will assess his responsibility for the ruling camp’s poor result in the Upper House election based on an upcoming review, as well as on the opinions of lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party.
The LDP plans to release a…[Read more]

Nagasaki marks 80th anniversary of US atomic bomb attack on Japan

Restored bell to ring at Nagasaki’s Immaculate Conception Cathedral for the first time since A-bomb devastated the city in 1945.

Twin cathedral bells will ring in unison in Nagasaki for the first time in 80 years, as the Japanese city commemorates the moment the United States d…[Read more]

Record Heavy Rain Hits Kagoshima

Record heavy rainfall hit Kagoshima Prefecture, and residents began recovery work on September 9th. In Kirishima, where the first heavy rain special warning of the year was issued, rivers overflowed, and muddy water flowed into residential areas.

Unstable weather is expected to persist from September 9th onward,…[Read more]

Foreign Residents Now 3% of Japan’s Total Population

As Japan faces an ongoing decline in its birthrate and aging population, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released data showing the country’s total population.

The number of Japanese citizens has seen its largest decrease to date, while the foreign population in Japan c…[Read more]

Germany’s ‘oldest and biggest’ gay nightclub declares bankruptcy

Germany’s “oldest and biggest” gay dance club has declared itself bankrupt after nearly half a century in business, falling victim to inflation and an evolving party culture threatening Berlin’s nightlife.

Management troubles and dating apps were among the factors putting Schwu…[Read more]

Germany to deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine in deal with US

Germany said on Friday that it will deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the U.S. that Berlin will be first in line to receive the latest systems in return.
Thanks to the U.S. commitment, “Germany can initially support Ukraine with launchers and…[Read more]

Amount of aid entering Gaza is ‘very insufficient’, Germany says

The amount of humanitarian aid that Israel is allowing to enter the besieged Gaza Strip is “very insufficient”, the German government said Saturday, noting “limited initial progress” in getting more aid into the enclave. Aid agencies say that more than two million Palestinians are…[Read more]