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☆ This man left the US to visit Japan for six months. 32 years later, he’s still there
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

“I didn’t know anything about Japan,” Prucha tells CNN Travel via Zoom. He left San Francisco and set off for Japan the following year, bringing very little with him. “I’ve always loved craft beer,” he says. “And when I saw Japan was starting to take baby steps towards embracing craft beer. Courtesy Dave PruchaWhile he loves his life in Japan, Prucha admits that there are some things about the US that he still craves.

Persons: Dave Prucha, he’d, ” Prucha, Prucha, “, ’ ”, ”, “ I’ve, he’d “, I’ll, Dave, you’re, Dave Prucha “, I’ve, ” “, –, ‘ It’s, “ We’re, they’re, it’s Organizations: CNN, San Francisco State University, Kyodo, “, Obina, Japan Locations: Japan, California, American, Tokyo, San Francisco, Yamanashi Prefecture, ”, Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture, China, Yamanashi

☆ Japanese warplanes use flares to warn a Russian Il-38 spy plane to leave airspace
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tokyo, Japan (AP) — Japan said its warplanes used flares to warn a Russian reconnaissance aircraft to leave northern Japanese airspace on Monday. It came a day after a joint fleet of Chinese and Russian warships sailed around Japanese northern coasts. Earlier in September, Russian military aircraft flew around southern Japanese airspace. The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, accompanied by two destroyers, sailed between Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni and nearby Iriomote, entering close to Japan’s waters. According to Japan’s military, it scrambled jets nearly 669 times between April 2023 and March 2024, about 70% of the time against Chinese military aircraft, though that did not include airspace violations.

Persons: —, Minoru Kihara, Kihara, ” Kihara, Japan “, ” Organizations: Japanese, Russian, Soviet Union Locations: Tokyo, Japan, — Japan, Russian, Hokkaido, Russia, China, Liaoning, Japan’s, Yonaguni, Iriomote

☆ US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as Russia-North Korea defense pact deepens regional fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Besides signing the defense deal with Kim Jong Un, Putin also linked security on the Korean Peninsula to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, threatening to arm North Korea should South Korea provide military aid to Kyiv. The aircraft carrier’s presence in Busan is just the latest in a series of US military moves to show Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to its own treaty ally in South Korea. Earlier this month, US Air Force B-1B bombers participated in a live-fire exercise on the peninsula, the first time in seven years those long-range strike aircraft have dropped live munitions in South Korea. The visit of the USS Theodore Roosevelt to Busan marks the second time a Nimitz-class carrier has visited South Korea in seven months. Neither the US nor South Korea would give details or exact dates of the upcoming Freedom Edge exercise.

Persons: Theodore Roosevelt, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Putin, Kim, ” Putin, Carl Vinson, Roosevelt, “, ”, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United States Navy, DPRK, Democratic People’s, CNN, US Air Force, United Nations, South, Nimitz, Hornet, South Korean, Pentagon Locations: Hong Kong, South Korea, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, North Korea, Russia, Busan, Japan, Russian, Pyongyang, Ukraine, Kyiv, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North, Korea, Moscow, Yemen, Iran, Pacific, Yokosuka

☆ Biden calls US ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with Russia and China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —President Joe Biden on Wednesday called close US ally Japan “xenophobic” at a Washington, D.C., fundraiser, just weeks after lauding the US-Japan alliance at a state dinner. The president made the remark while arguing that Japan, along with Russia and China, would perform better economically if the countries embraced immigration more. Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden said, according to reporters traveling with the president at a fundraiser with Asian American and Pacific Islander supporters. Immigrants are what makes us strong.”Biden had similarly cast Japan, Russia and China as “xenophobic” during an interview with a Spanish language radio station in March. The latest critique of Japan comes less than a month after he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit.

Persons: Joe Biden, ” Biden, “, ”, Fumio Kishida, Biden, Jessie Yeung Organizations: CNN, D.C, American, Pacific, Immigrants, Japanese, White House Locations: Japan, Washington, Russia, China

☆ What Biden and Kishida Agreed To in Their Effort to Bolster Ties
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

What Biden and Kishida Agreed To in Their Effort to Bolster TiesAs they look to contain an increasingly aggressive China, the United States and Japan announced dozens of new agreements, including on military, economic, climate and space matters. Share full articleVideo transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:00 - 0:00 transcript Biden Hosts Japan’s Prime Minister at the White House President Biden called the United States and Japan “the closest of friends” during a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Instead, we made a far better choice: We became the closest of friends. Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Kishida, welcome back to the White House. President Biden called the United States and Japan “the closest of friends” during a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Persons: Biden, ”, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Fumio, Shuran Huang Organizations: Japan’s, White House, House, Credit, The New York Locations: China, United States, Japan

☆ Japan’s population crisis was years in the making – and relief may be decades away
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The demographic crisis has become one of Japan’s most pressing issues, with multiple governments failing to reverse the double blow of a falling fertility rate and swelling elderly population. But Japan’s crisis is unique in that it’s been decades in the making, experts say – meaning its impact is particularly evident now, with relief unlikely to come anytime soon. ‘Not reversible’The first thing to understand about Japan’s population crisis is that it’s only partly behavioral, said James Raymo, professor of sociology and demography at Princeton University. As of last year, Japan’s fertility rate sat at 1.3. The real problem is that the fertility rate has been consistently low for so long.

Persons: handwringing, It’s “, –, it’s, James Raymo, ” Raymo, ‘, aren’t, Raymo, Tomohiro Ohsumi, – “, Stanislav Kogiku, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, government’s Institute of Population, Social Security Research, Getty Locations: Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, Italy, United States, India, Yonomori, Fukushima, singlehood, Vietnam, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Toyko

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to China next week, traveling to the country amid heightened tensions and after several members of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet visited over the summer. Schumer, along with Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, is visiting government and business leaders in China, South Korea and Japan “with the goal of advancing U.S. economic and national security interests” in the region, his office said Tuesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China in June, followed by visits of Treasury and Commerce secretaries Janet Yellen and Gina Raimondo as well as climate envoy John Kerry. Political Cartoons View All 1196 ImagesBiden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan also held two days of talks with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Malta last month. Wang is expected to visit Washington before the end of October on a trip that officials will nail down the date and venue of the expected Biden-Xi summit.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden’s, Schumer, Republican Sen, Mike Crapo of, Schumer —, ”, Biden, Xi Jinping, China’s, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, John Kerry, Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi, Wang, Crapo, Democratic Sens, Maggie Hassan, Jon Ossoff of, Republican Sens, Bill Cassidy of, John Kennedy of, Matthew Lee Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Biden, Economic Cooperation, Treasury, Democratic, ___ Associated Press Locations: China, Mike Crapo of Idaho, South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, Taiwan, South China, Asia, San Francisco, Malta, Washington, New Hampshire, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, John Kennedy of Louisiana

CNN —Japan on Thursday will begin releasing treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant, part of a controversial plan that has sparked fierce objections from some regional countries as well as many consumers. During a press conference Thursday morning, TEPCO said it expects to discharge only around 200 or 210 cubic meters of treated wastewater. It will send a boat later Thursday into the harbor to collect samples to monitor and ensure the discharged treated wastewater meets international safety standards. Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused water within the Fukushima nuclear plant to be contaminated with highly radioactive material. Hong Kong on Wednesday said it will ban food products imported from some parts of Japan following the release of the treated water.

Persons: Wang Wenbin, “, Wang Organizations: CNN, Tokyo Electric Power Company, TEPCO, United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Locations: Japan, Asia, Taiwan, China, Fukushima, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Chiba, Tochigi

CNN —North Korea’s second attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit failed Thursday due to a malfunction in the third-stage of the rocket, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The unsuccessful launch came after North Korea’s first attempt failed in May, when the new satellite vehicle rocket Chollima-1 crashed into the sea soon after liftoff. In a news conference Thursday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Japan “strongly protests” North Korea’s latest launch and “condemns it in the strongest terms,” adding that the launch used ballistic missile technology. During the summit, the three leaders pledged closer cooperation to protect against nuclear threats from North Korea and urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. North Korea is expected to celebrate its 75th foundation day on September 9 with a military parade.

Persons: North Korea’s, KCNA, Defense Kimi Onoda, Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan “, “, Matsuno, ”, Yoon Suk Yeol, Adrienne Watson, Joe Biden, Camp David, Kim Jong Un Organizations: CNN, Korean Central News Agency, North, Defense, South Korean, Japanese Coast Guard, Japan’s, United Nations Security, Korea’s National Security Council, UN, NSC, US, US National Security Council, DPRK Locations: Pyongyang, East China, Japan, Okinawa, North Korea, South Korea, United States, Korea, North, Camp

Tokyo CNN —Japan is in talks to open a NATO liaison office, the first of its kind in Asia, the country’s foreign minister told CNN in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, saying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made the world less stable. “We are already in discussions, but no details (have been) finalized yet,” Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Wednesday. The Nikkei Asia first reported plans to open the office in Japan last Wednesday, citing unnamed Japanese and NATO officials. China, which has previously warned against NATO expanding its reach into Asia or a similar bloc emerging in the region, has already responded angrily to previous reports on the possible Japan office. Hayashi played down concerns that opening a Tokyo NATO office could further inflame tensions, saying: “I don’t feel that’s the case.”The country has had a pacifist constitution since World War II – which he argued is reflected in this move.

☆ DeSantis, an Enigma on Foreign Policy, Praises U.S.-Japan Ties in Tokyo
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Motoko Rich | Nicholas Nehamas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I’m a big supporter of the U.S.- Japan alliance,” Mr. DeSantis, standing beside his wife, Casey DeSantis, said in brief remarks to reporters in Tokyo after a 30-minute meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “I think Japan’s been a heck of an ally for our country, and I think a strong Japan is good for America, and I think a strong America is good for Japan.”Mr. DeSantis’s comments appeared to depart from the stance taken by Donald J. Trump, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination. Before becoming president in 2017, Mr. Trump attacked Japan over its trade policy and accused it of exploiting its military alliance with the United States to protect itself at low risk and minimal cost. Mr. DeSantis has not yet announced a presidential campaign but is widely expected to run, even as his prospects of winning the primary have seemed to dim in recent months. Mr. Trump, who once trailed Mr. DeSantis in some polls, is now firmly ahead and is consolidating endorsements from Florida’s congressional delegation.

☆ US futures and Asia Pacific stocks react to SVB recovery efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

On Sunday, the Biden administration promised that customers of the failed Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank would have access to all their money starting Monday. In a joint statement, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg said the FDIC will make SVB and Signature Bank’s customers whole. In a related action, the government shut down Signature Bank, a regional bank that was teetering on the brink of collapse in recent days. “Cross-asset traders of all stripes are heaving a sigh of relief as bank runs have a tendency to catch on globally,” he told CNN. Bank shares in Asia were under pressure Monday, following a heavy rout for their US and European counterparts late last week.

☆ Sick of Chunky, Hiker-Style Socks? Try These Slim New Styles
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Andrew Barker | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

For a lot of men, the easiest place to thin down this January is their feet. In the sock department, slim is in, and those thick, nubby socks that seemed so right for the past few years are now looking worn out, sartorially speaking. Not any slim knits will do. Stylish guys tired of sweltering below the ankle want texture, too. The product descriptions of this new wave of hosiery–with references to jacquard, waffle, herringbone and other more arcane weaves–suggest luxury sweaters.

☆ North Korea to boost nuclear warhead production 'exponentially,' leader says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to increase the production of nuclear warheads “exponentially” and build a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported Sunday, signaling deepening animosities with the United States, South Korea and others. KCNA cited Kim as saying North Korea is compelled to boost the production “exponentially” to mass-produce tactical nuclear weapons. It said U.S. commitments to defend South Korea and Japan “remain ironclad.”North Korea test-fired more than 70 missiles last year. South Korea acknowledged it failed to shoot down any of the five North Korean drones it said were found south of the border. But South Korea has vowed to bolster its air defense network and get tough on future provocations by North Korea.

☆ North Korea fires 3 missiles amid tensions over drone flights
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters in its latest weapons display on Saturday, a day after rival South Korea launched a solid-fueled rocket as part of its efforts to build a space-based surveillance capability to better monitor the North. It said South Korea closely monitors North Korean moves in coordination with the United States and maintains a readiness to “overwhelmingly” deter any provocation by North Korea. Friday’s unannounced launch triggered a brief public scare of a UFO appearance or a North Korean missile firing in South Korea. South Korea currently has no military reconnaissance satellites of its own and depends on U.S. spy satellites to monitor strategic facilities in North Korea. This week, North Korea is under a major ruling party meeting in Pyongyang to review past policies and new policy goals for 2023.

☆ As regional threats rise, Japan eases defense-only strategy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

With China, North Korea and Russia directly to its west and north, Japan “faces the severest and most complicated national security environment since the end of the war,” the strategy said, referring to World War II. Japan’s defense buildup has long been considered a sensitive issue at home and in the region, especially for Asian victims of Japanese wartime atrocities. Rapid advancement of missiles have become “realistic threats” in the region, making interception by existing missile defense systems more difficult, the strategy said. North Korea fired more than 30 ballistic missiles this year, including one that flew over Japan. Japan needs standoff, or long-range missiles, to strike back and prevent further attacks “as an unavoidable minimum defensive measure,” the document stated.

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