Follow the latest Japan news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
1 hour ago
NATO chief urges closer ties with Japan to defend democracy
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has sharply criticized China for “bullying its neighbors and threatening Taiwan” and stressed the need for Japan and other democracies to work together with the alliance to defend the international order
1 hour ago
January 31, 2023, 1:05 AM
US professional skier killed in avalanche in Japan
Kyle Smaine, a U.S. professional skier, died Sunday in an avalanche in Japan, his family said.
January 31, 2023, 1:05 AM
January 30, 2023, 2:08 PM
Japan ex-soldier sues gov't, colleagues over sexual abuse
A former Japanese soldier who reported being sexually abused by military colleagues says she has filed a damage suit against five perpetrators and the government because she feels their earlier apologies were empty
January 30, 2023, 2:08 PM
January 30, 2023, 1:54 PM
2 foreign skiers hit by Japan avalanche found, presumed dead
Japanese rescuers have found two foreign men who were hit by an avalanche while backcountry skiing
January 30, 2023, 1:54 PM
January 29, 2023, 12:38 PM
China announces resumption of visas for Japanese
China says it's resuming issuing visas for Japanese travelers beginning Sunday, ending its nearly three-week suspension in an apparent protest of Tokyo’s tougher COVID-19 entry requirements for Lunar New Year tourists from China
January 29, 2023, 12:38 PM
January 23, 2023, 10:08 AM
Kishida prioritizes arms buildup, reversing low birthrate
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says Japan faces the severest security environment in the region since the end of World War II
January 23, 2023, 10:08 AM
January 20, 2023, 6:53 AM
Japan to lower COVID-19 to flu status, further easing rules
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced plans to downgrade the legal status of COVID-19 to the equivalent of seasonal influenza in the spring, a move that would further relax mask wearing and other preventive measures as the country seeks t...
January 20, 2023, 6:53 AM
January 19, 2023, 12:38 AM
Japan court acquits utility executives in Fukushima disaster
A Japanese court has found three former utility company executives not guilty of negligence over the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster and the subsequent deaths of more than 40 elderly residents during their forced evacuation
January 19, 2023, 12:38 AM
January 13, 2023, 1:19 PM
Japan eyes delay of Fukushima plant water release
Japan has revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of treated radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear plant to “around spring or summer,” indicating a delay from the initial target, after factoring in the progress of a release tunnel ...
January 13, 2023, 1:19 PM
January 13, 2023, 6:01 AM
Japan eyes delay of Fukushima plant water release
Japan has revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of treated radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear plant to “around spring or summer,” indicating a delay from the initial target, after factoring in the progress of a release tunnel ...
January 13, 2023, 6:01 AM
January 12, 2023, 2:53 AM
US, Japan unveil plans to strengthen the alliance
The top national security officials from the U.S. and Japan have unveiled plans to strengthen the alliance to help counter threats from North Korea and China
January 12, 2023, 2:53 AM
1 month ago
Japanese emperor greets crowd at palace after COVID hiatus
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family have waved to throngs of New Year’s well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in a celebration halted for the past two years by the pandemic
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japan PM sacks 4th minister to patch up scandal-hit Cabinet
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has dismissed his fourth minister in two months to patch a scandal-tainted Cabinet that has raised questions over his judgment of staff credentials
1 month ago
1 month ago
Heavy snow in Japan leaves 17 dead, dozens injured
Large swaths of Japan are seeing heavy snow since last week, killing 17 and leaving hundreds of homes without power
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japan adopts plan to maximize nuclear energy, in major shift
Japan has adopted a plan to extend the lifespan of nuclear reactors, replace the old and even build new ones
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japan adopts plan to maximize nuclear energy, in major shift
Japan has adopted a plan to extend the lifespan of nuclear reactors, replace the old and even build new ones
1 month ago
1 month ago
Snow piles deep in northern Japan, strands vehicles, 3 dead
Heavy snow in northwestern Japan has left three people dead.
1 month ago
1 month ago
As regional threats rise, Japan eases defense-only strategy
Japan's strict self-defense-only postwar principle is being loosened
1 month ago
2 months ago
Court denies govt aid for Nagasaki A-bomb survivors children
A Japanese court has rejected a damages suit filed by a group of children of Nagasaki atomic bombing survivors seeking eligibility for government support for medical costs, saying hereditary radiation impact has not been proven
2 months ago
2 months ago
New Japan law aims at Unification Church fundraising abuses
Japan’s parliament has enacted a law to restrict malicious donation solicitations by religious and other groups, which mainly targets the Unification Church, whose fundraising tactics and cozy ties with the governing party caused public outrage
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan to jointly develop new fighter jet with UK, Italy
Japan has announced it will jointly develop its next-generation fighter jet with the U.K. and Italy
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan births at new low as population shrinks and ages
Japan’s top government spokesperson said Monday that the number of babies born this year is below last year's record low
2 months ago
2 months ago
'Normal thing to do': Japanese fans tidy up at World Cup
Japanese fans, players clean up after themselves after the matches.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Strong earthquake hits Japan, at least 97 injured and 4 deaths reported
A strong earthquake was felt in Japan, occurring off the coast from Fukushima.
2 months ago
3 months ago
Japan to reopen to cruise ships after 2 1/2-year ban
Japan is lifting a more than 2 1/2-year ban on international cruise ships that was imposed following a deadly coronavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess at the beginning of the pandemic
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan, US hold joint arms drills amid China, N Korea worry
Japan and the United States have begun a major joint military exercise in southern Japan as the allies aim to step up readiness in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness and North Korea’s intensifying missile launches
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan PM vows to strengthen military at int'l naval review
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his country urgently needs to strengthen its military capabilities amid a worsening security environment in the East and South China seas and threats from North Korea and Russia's war on Ukraine
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan to keep stake in Russian energy project in Sakhalin
Japan’s industry minister says that a Japanese consortium has decided to retain its stake in the new Russian operator of the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project
3 months ago
3 months ago
US uses farmers markets to foster ties at bases in Japan
As the United States and Japan further strengthen their military alliance, they’ve turned to farmers markets to foster friendlier ties between American military bases and their Japanese neighbors
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan Cabinet OKs $200B spending plan to counter inflation
Japan's Cabinet has approved a hefty economic package including about 29 trillion yen ($200 billion) in government spending to alleviate the burden of costs from rising utility rates and food prices
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan Cabinet minister resigns over Unification Church ties
Japan’s economy minister resigned over his ties to the Unification Church in a widening controversy involving dozens of governing party lawmakers
3 months ago
4 months ago
Japan, Canada to formally begin intelligence sharing talks
Japan and Canada have agreed to formally start talks toward signing a military intelligence information sharing accord
4 months ago
4 months ago
Tourists flock to Japan after COVID restrictions lifted
Eager to admire colorful foliage, eat sushi and go shopping, droves of tourists from abroad have started arriving in Japan
4 months ago
4 months ago
Japan eager to welcome tourists from abroad amid cheap yen
Individual travelers will be able to visit Japan without visas from Tuesday.
4 months ago
4 months ago
Japanese avant-garde pioneer composer Ichiyanagi dies at 89
Avant-garde pianist and composer Toshi Ichiyanagi, who studied with John Cage and went on to lead Japan’s advances in experimental modern music, has died
4 months ago
4 months ago
Japan holds state funeral for Shinzo Abe as protesters line the streets
Controversy erupts over former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's funeral set for Tuesday.
4 months ago
5 months ago
Japan to end pre-departure COVID tests for fully vaccinated tourists in September
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Wednesday the country will end a pre-departure COVID-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated travelers Sept. 7.
5 months ago
7 months ago
Tokyo crowds mourn former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Crowds gathered on Tuesday to pay respects and lay flowers near former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's private funeral at Zojoji temple in Tokyo.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Crowds line Tokyo streets to mourn former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Crowds gathered to pay respects and lay flowers for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s private funeral near Zojoji temple, Tokyo.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Investigation into assassination of Japan’s former PM
Japan is in mourning over the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and there are new reports on the emerging details about the suspect.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Blinken arrives in Japan to pay respects to former PM Shinzo Abe
ABC News' Bob Woodruff reports from Tokyo with the latest on the investigation into the former Japanese prime minister's assassination on Friday.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Japanese authorities release details on Shinzo Abe's assassination
Authorities have released details on how the suspect allegedly prepared for the attack.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Shinzo Abe's assassination was 'shock to the system' of Japan: Ambassador Rahm Emanuel
Shinzo Abe's assassination was a "shock to the system and a shock to the culture" of Japan, U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel said Sunday on "This Week"
7 months ago
7 months ago
Abe was 'a visionary', saw US-Japan partnership as 'unstoppable': Amb. Rahm Emanuel
George Stephanopoulos interviews U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on "This Week."
7 months ago
7 months ago
Japanese authorities admit possible security failures
Japan makes plans to bury former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated by a man armed with a homemade gun.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Suspected gunman tackled after former Japan PM Shinzo Abe assassinated
The suspected gunman was tackled by security personnel after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Former Japanese PM assassination sends shock waves
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was giving a morning campaign speech at a train station near Kyoto when he was suddenly shot twice from behind and security tackled the suspect immediately.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dies at 67 after assassination
Despite no longer being Japan's prime minister, Abe remained influential on national security and economic policies and was a central figure within the ruling party.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Japan in shock following assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe
President Biden ordered flags lowered to half-staff as an act of reverence reserved for the most important world figures and U.S. allies.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gunned down while giving speech
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed during a campaign speech in western Japan on Friday, hospital officials said.
7 months ago