Blinken arrives in Japan for 2+2 security talks, Quad

Japanese and U.S. defense chiefs and top diplomats will meet in Tokyo on Sunday for talks aimed at further bolstering their military cooperation, including by upgrading the command and control of U.S. forces and strengthening American-licensed missile production in Japan, amid a rising threat…[Read more]

The simple Japanese method for a tidier and less wasteful fridge

To help people clear cluttered fridges and reduce food waste, researchers in Tokyo are testing simple organisational techniques – and all you need to get started is some tape and a few stickers.

Have you ever opened your refrigerator and felt a surge of anxiety? Perhaps you s…[Read more]

Anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson arrested in Greenland. He faces possible extradition to Japan

Greenland police said they apprehended veteran environmental activist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson on an international arrest warrant issued by Japan.

Watson, a 73-year-old Canadian-American citizen, is a former head of the Sea Shepherd…[Read more]

Israel’s invitation to this year’s atomic bomb commemorations in Japan has sparked a controversy over double standards

Hiroshima, the Japanese city devastated by a US atomic bomb in 1945, is at the center of a growing controversy after local officials dismissed calls to disinvite Israel from its annual ceremony promoting world peace as war rag…[Read more]

Japan asks young people why they are not marrying amid population crisis

Consultation launched as surveys show people have little chance to meet partners and worry about high cost of living

The Japanese government has begun to consult young people about their interest in marriage – or lack thereof – as Japan continues to struggle with a dem…[Read more]

German investor morale falls sharply in July, ZEW says

German investor morale deteriorated more than expected in July, registering its first fall in a year and suggesting the recovery in the euro zone’s largest economy will be bumpy.
The economic sentiment index fell to 41.8 points from 47.5 points in June, the ZEW economic research institute…[Read more]

NATO launches Ukraine command centre in Germany

The centre in Wiesbaden will plan and coordinate security assistance for Kyiv as it continues to fight against Moscow’s war of aggression.

The southern German town of Wiesbaden, known for spas and hot springs, will now serve as a site of NATO’s efforts to support the Ukrainian military.

There,…[Read more]

Japan and Germany agree to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region

Both sides said their countries would create an economic security framework amid fears about what they view as China’s overproduction of electric vehicles and other key products using massive subsidies.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio…[Read more]

Germany’s economic sentiment slips more than expected: Is recovery at risk?

Germany’s ZEW Economic Sentiment Index fell from 47.5 to 41.8 in July, missing forecasts and ending an eight-month of consecutive increases. Factors such as declining exports, political uncertainty in France, and unclear ECB monetary policy contributed to the…[Read more]

Germany ‘blocking’ medical treatment for Palestinian children from Gaza

Around 40 medical facilities agreed to treat children from Gaza in Germany and cover the costs, but reports say the foreign and interior ministries have hindered their efforts.

German aid organisations have accused the government of blocking much-needed medical help for…[Read more]

The German government owns around $2 billion in bitcoin — and it’s freaking out crypto investors

For weeks now, Germany’s government has been selling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of bitcoin — and it’s been a key factor behind the cryptocurrency’s intense sell-off.

Last month, the German government began selling bitcoin from a wallet op…[Read more]

Missing American teen who left cruise ship at German port found safe in a city more than 100 miles away

Aydin Brown, 14, was found safe Saturday night in Brandenburg, police in the city of Rostock said. He had been missing since Thursday morning.

A 14-year-old American boy missing for three days after he walked away from a Caribbean Princess…[Read more]

Missing woman rescued near Tokyo after 36 hours adrift at sea

A woman was rescued from the sea off Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Wednesday morning after drifting some 80 kilometers over about 36 hours, a local coast guard office said.

The 21-year-old Chinese woman, who was on a swim ring, was found dehydrated but conscious, according to the…[Read more]

Japan PM leaves for U.S., Germany for summits amid security concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida left for Washington on Wednesday to attend a NATO summit to confirm cooperation with the alliance in addressing the increasingly severe security challenges posed by Russia and China.

During his five-day overseas trip through Sunday, Kishida…[Read more]

Leaders of South Korea, Japan share concerns over Russia-North Korea ties

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared concerns over growing ties between Russia and North Korea and agreed to continue their security cooperation, a statement from Yoon’s office said on Thursday.

The two leaders, who are…[Read more]

German defense minister says military budget gap ‘annoying’

Germany’s defense minister has voiced irritation after his ministry received less funding than he had hoped.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the budget negotiations for the country’s defense budget.

A coalition deal on…[Read more]

England and Germany fans clash in Dusseldorf after host nation’s exit – reports

Thousands of England supporters are in the German city ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland.

England and Germany fans were involved in clashes in Dusseldorf on Friday night, according to reports.

Thousands of England supporters are in the G…[Read more]

German police record more cases of child sexual abuse

German police have reported a significant rise in cases of sexual abuse of children and adolescents. The increase in cases related to the sharing of images of abuse was particularly striking.

The number of known cases of sexual abuse of children and adolescents in Germany increased…[Read more]

Germany: Explosion, fire at refugee accommodation facility

German police have reported an explosion and fire at a facility housing asylum seekers. The blast took place as police were investigating reports of a fire hazard. Two officers were injured, and one dead body was found.

Police in northern Germany on Monday reported an explosion and large…[Read more]

Japan’s stock records lack punch of yen’s fall

Japanese stocks hit new highs on Thursday with a whimper rather than a bang, greatly contrasting the noise around the yen’s recent fall to a 38-year low.
Analysts contacted on Friday about the rise of the 225-issue Nikkei average to an all-time record above 40,000 dispensed with celebratory remar…[Read more]