Follow the latest Japan news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
June 2, 2023, 1:38 PM
Young Kabuki actor's debut breaks Japanese theater traditions
Ten-year-old Maholo Terajima Ghnassia is breaking conventions as one of the biggest emerging stars in Japan’s Kabuki theater tradition
June 2, 2023, 1:38 PM
June 2, 2023, 12:22 PM
Japan birth rate hits record low amid concerns over shrinking and aging population
Japan’s birth rate declined for a seventh consecutive year in 2022 to a record low of 1.26, the Health Ministry says, adding to a sense of urgency in a country where the government is seen as too slow to take drastic measures to address its rapidly shr...
June 2, 2023, 12:22 PM
June 2, 2023, 2:31 AM
Japan police say flaws in basic security allowed attacker to throw pipe bomb at prime minister
Japan’s National Police Agency says flaws in basic security such as an absence of metal detectors and bag checks allowed an attacker to enter a campaign crowd unnoticed and throw a pipe bomb at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April
June 2, 2023, 2:31 AM
May 30, 2023, 12:31 PM
Japanese court says government's policy against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional
A Japanese court has ruled that the government's policy against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, in a closely watched decision that supporters say is a step toward marriage equality
May 30, 2023, 12:31 PM
May 30, 2023, 1:26 AM
Japan PM's son to resign after public outrage over private party at official residence
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his son is resigning as his policy secretary to take responsibility for using the prime minister’s official residence for a private party at which the merrymaking was exposed in magazine photos that triggered ...
May 30, 2023, 1:26 AM
May 29, 2023, 9:32 AM
IAEA team in Japan for final review before planned discharge of Fukushima nuclear plant water
An International Atomic Energy Agency team has arrived in Tokyo for a final review before Japan begins releasing massive amounts of treated radioactive water into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, a plan that has been strongly opposed b...
May 29, 2023, 9:32 AM
May 26, 2023, 7:09 PM
Crash of private Japanese moon lander blamed on software, last-minute location switch
A Tokyo company whose lunar lander slammed into the moon says a software issue and a last-minute switch in the touchdown location led to the crash
May 26, 2023, 7:09 PM
May 26, 2023, 8:17 AM
Japan adopts new sanctions on Russia, criticizes its deal to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus
Japan has approved additional sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine, including freezing the assets of dozens of individuals and groups and banning exports to Russian military-related organizations
May 26, 2023, 8:17 AM
May 26, 2023, 5:42 AM
Suspect in killing of 4 people, including 2 police officers, in Japan captured after standoff
Police say they have arrested the suspect who holed up in a house in central Japan after allegedly killing four people, including two police officers
May 26, 2023, 5:42 AM
May 24, 2023, 12:31 PM
Japan to provide 100 military vehicles to Ukraine
Japan has held a ceremony marking its planned donation of about 100 military vehicles to Ukraine, as Tokyo seeks to provide equipment that can be of broader military use than its earlier shipments of helmets and hazmat suits
May 24, 2023, 12:31 PM
May 19, 2023, 7:17 AM
South Korea to send 21-member team to Japan to review discharge plans at Fukushima nuclear plant
South Korea will send a 21-member team of government experts to Japan next week to visit the Fukushima nuclear power plant where they will review contentious Japanese plans to release treated but slightly radioactive water into the sea
May 19, 2023, 7:17 AM
May 13, 2023, 3:02 AM
Japan, South Korea agree on visit to Fukushima nuclear plant ahead of planned water release
Japanese and South Korean officials have agreed on a visit later this month by South Korean experts to the Fukushima nuclear plant before it begins the controversial release of treated but radioactive water into the sea
May 13, 2023, 3:02 AM
1 month ago
5.4 magnitude earthquake near Tokyo causes minor injuries, damage
An earthquake has shaken Japan’s capital, Tokyo, and surrounding areas, injuring several people and causing minor damage
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japan to lift COVID-19 border controls before holiday week
Japan will lift most of its coronavirus border controls, including a requirement that entrants show proof of three vaccinations or a pre-departure negative test, beginning Saturday as the country’s Golden Week holiday season begins and a large influx o...
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japan to restore preferred trade status for South Korea
Japan’s trade ministry says it has begun procedures to restore preferential trade status for South Korea, days after Seoul took a similar step for Tokyo and requested reciprocity, and more than three years after the countries downgraded each other duri...
1 month ago
1 month ago
Camera surfaces 15 years after journalist killed in Myanmar
A video camera dropped by a Japanese journalist who was shot to death while filming a street protest in Myanmar has reemerged 15 years later
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japanese company: 'High probability' lander crashed on moon
A Japanese company’s spacecraft apparently crashed while attempting to land on the moon
1 month ago
1 month ago
Japan gets ready to shoot down N. Korea spy satellite debris
Japan’s defense chief has ordered troops to activate missile interceptors and get ready to shoot down fragments from a North Korean satellite that may fall on the Japanese territory
1 month ago
2 months ago
Japan LGBTQ groups urge government to guarantee equality
Japanese LGBTQ activist groups are urging the government to enact an anti-discrimination law and legalize same-sex marriages ahead of a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations being hosted by Japan in May
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan PM denounces attack, vows security review before G7
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has denounced a pipe bomb attack at a campaign event he attended last weekend, while pledging to review security procedures to ensure safety for dignitaries visiting the country for the Group of Seven summit he wil...
2 months ago
2 months ago
Explosive targeting Japan PM renews worries of homemade arms
Japanese police say they have confiscated metal tubes, tools and possible gunpowder from the home of a man suspected of throwing what was believed to be a homemade pipe bomb at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a campaign event
2 months ago
2 months ago
Explosive targeting Japan PM renews worries of homemade arms
Japanese police say they have confiscated metal tubes, tools and possible gunpowder from the home of a man suspected of throwing what was believed to be a homemade pipe bomb at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a campaign event
2 months ago
2 months ago
2 bodies lifted from sea after Japan army helicopter crash
Japan’s military has recovered two bodies of the 10 crewmembers from an army helicopter that had sunk to the bottom of the sea
2 months ago
2 months ago
Explosive attack on Japan's prime minister
An attacker targeted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with an explosive device, nine months after a former prime minister was assassinated during a speech.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Explosive thrown at Japan PM at campaign event; 1 hurt
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been evacuated unharmed after someone threw an explosive device at a campaign event in a western port city
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan's prime minister unharmed after explosion
A 24-year-old man has been arrested after an explosion during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's campaign event in western Japan.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan, US agree to cooperate on geothermal energy
Japan and the United States have agreed to cooperate on developing geothermal energy, one of the most plentiful resources on this volcanic island chain
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan park where Babe Ruth played subject of climate battle
A historic baseball stadium in Tokyo where Babe Ruth played could be demolished
2 months ago
2 months ago
New BOJ head says banks stable, rules out major policy shift
The new governor of Japan's central bank has signaled, once again, that he plans no drastic changes in its ultra-low interest rate policy
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan's army says helicopter carrying 10 crashed into ocean
Japan's army believes a missing helicopter carrying 10 crew members crashed into the sea off a southern island after objects appearing to be aircraft parts were spotted in the area
2 months ago
2 months ago
New images from inside Fukushima reactor spark safety worry
Images captured by a robotic probe inside one of the three melted reactors at Japan's wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant show exposed steel reinforcing bars in its main supporting structure and parts of its thick external concrete wall missing
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan protests China's detention of citizen, maritime action
Japan’s foreign minister has protested in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart the detention of a Japanese national in Beijing and raised “strong concern” about China’s escalating military activity near Taiwan and around Japan
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan FM to visit China as Tokyo imposes new export controls
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi says he will visit China this weekend for talks with his counterpart Qin Gang, becoming Japan’s first top diplomat to do so in more than three years amid growing friction between the two countries, including ...
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japan unveils proposal to promote marriage, raise birthrate
A Japanese Cabinet minister in charge of tackling the country’s declining birthrate has unveiled a draft proposal aimed at reversing the downtrend, including increased subsidies for childrearing and education and a salary increase for younger workers t...
2 months ago
2 months ago
LGBTQ summit calls on Japan to enact anti-discrimination law
Japanese LGBTQ activists and supporters have held an inaugural Pride 7 Summit in Tokyo, where they called on Group of Seven governments to promote and strengthen support and legal protections for LGBTQ people and urged Japan’s government to enact an an...
2 months ago
2 months ago
US, Japan reach deal on vital minerals for EV batteries
Japan and the United States have reached an agreement on trade in critical minerals for electric vehicle batteries
2 months ago
2 months ago
Russia says it test-fired anti-ship missiles in Sea of Japan
Russia's Defense Ministry says Moscow has test-fired anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Japan
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japanese student goes to graduation dressed like Zelenskyy
A Japanese student has showed up to graduation as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s lookalike, wearing his signature olive-colored, snug-fit T-shirt and khaki trousers to show his support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia
2 months ago
2 months ago
Tokyo demands China free Japan national detained in Beijing
Tokyo is demanding that China release a Japanese national detained in Beijing earlier this month on suspicion of spying
2 months ago
2 months ago
Japanese PM Kishida to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine
A Japanese prime minister has not visited an active combat zone since WWII.
2 months ago
3 months ago
South Korea to restore Japan's trade status to improve ties
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol says his government will take steps to restore Japan’s preferential trade status
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan, German leaders agree to strengthen ties, supply chain
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to strengthen economic and defense ties
3 months ago
3 months ago
Japan, South Korea renew ties at Tokyo summit
Japan and South Korea agreed to resume regular visits between their leaders and take steps to resolve a trade dispute during a long-awaited summit
3 months ago
3 months ago
US, partners stage military drills amid Japan-S. Korea talks
The U.S., Canada, India, Japan and South Korea are staging joint anti-submarine warfare drills amid talks between Japanese and South Korean leaders aimed at strengthening their alliance with Washington against threats from China and North Korea
3 months ago
3 months ago
Nobel laureate Kenzaburo Oe, writer of poetic fiction, dies
Nobel literature laureate Kenzaburo Oe, whose darkly poetic novels were built from his memories during Japan’s postwar occupation and from being the parent of a disabled son, has died
3 months ago
3 months ago
Retrial ordered for 87-year-old ex-boxer on Japan death row
Tokyo’s high court has ordered a retrial for an 87-year-old former boxer who has been on death row for more than five decades
3 months ago
3 months ago
China condemns Japanese plan to release Fukushima water
China has condemned a plan by Japan to release treated radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, demanding that Tokyo first receive the approval of neighboring countries
3 months ago
3 months ago
Residents of Japan seek compensation from N Korea for abuses
A group of residents of Japan who say they suffered decades of human rights abuses in North Korea after being lured there by false promises of a “Paradise on Earth” are asking a Japanese appeals court to rule that North Korea should pay them compensation
3 months ago
4 months ago
Japanese startup unveils balloon flight space viewing tours
A Japanese startup is planning to launch commercial space viewing balloon flights that it hopes will bring an otherwise astronomically expensive experience down to Earth
4 months ago
4 months ago
Japan bids teary farewell to pandas sent to reserve in China
Xiang Xiang, “super papa” Eimei and daughters were sent to a protected facility.
4 months ago