Japan
Putin makes historic first visit to disputed Kuril Island, sparking Japanese diplomatic fury
The timing has raised eyebrows among analysts, with some suggesting the visit was deliberately coordinated to reinforce Moscow's territorial claims amid heightened military activity in the Pacific.
US to shutter five diplomatic posts in rare peacetime downsizing
The closures are projected to save about $4.4million per year, per reporting on the congressional notifications.
Japan frames historic military buildup as economic engine amid regional alarm
Tokyo identifies China’s expanding military activities as its “greatest long-term strategic challenge”, citing pressure on Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands.
Japan launches first centralized intelligence bureau since WWII
Japan's first centralized intelligence agency since WWII places a renewed focus on security, cyber defense and foreign threats.
Japan earthquake toll rises as rescuers race through heat and wreckage in Kumamoto
Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu is facing a mounting disaster after a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture.
Japan’s yen sinks to a 40-year low as intervention jitters mount
The Japanese yen has fallen to its weakest level in four decades, raising speculation of intervention.
G7 Summit ends with unified Ukraine stance and new focus on China and AI
The G7 Summit concluded with major breakthroughs on international security, centered around a US-Iran preliminary ceasefire and unanimous support for Ukraine.
SoftBank overtakes Toyota as Japan’s most valuable company amid AI surge
SoftBank Group has overtaken Toyota Motor to become Japan’s most valuable listed company with a ¥48trillion market cap, driven by the global AI boom.
Australia, Japan mark 50 years of ties with new minerals, energy and defence deals
The initiatives signal a step-change in the bilateral relationship, reflecting how a partnership once anchored in trade has evolved into a strategic alignment shaped by geopolitical risk and economic security concerns.
Is the US-Japan’s $40billion nuclear agreement a big deal?
This deal is part of a broader US$550 billion investment pledge from Tokyo focused on energy security and technological leadership.
A world “under destruction”: Munich’s case for a new European security architecture
The 2026 Munich Security Conference was defined by a shift from the post-WWII "rules-based order" to an era "under destruction."
Japan Election: Sanae Takaichi’s LDP secures landslide victory
In a historic landslide, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a two-thirds supermajority in Feb 2026.
Japan and South Korea leaders hold pivotal Nara summit, perform K-pop drum duet
In early 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held a summit to reinforce bilateral ties.
11 pivotal elections that altered the global outlook in 2025
2025 saw pivotal elections worldwide that reshaped governments amid economic pressures, security concerns, and geopolitical shifts. These races influenced global alliances, trade, and stability, drawing attention from major powers like the US under President Trump. 1. Australia's Landslide Labor Win Australia's federal election on May 3 delivered a historic second term for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party, securing 94 House seats — the most ever by a single party — and a 55.22% two-party-preferred vote. Key issues included housing costs, energy policy, and defense amid US tariff threats, with Labor retaining every prior seat while opposition leader Peter Dutton...
Japan-China Diplomatic Crisis 2025
China-Japan relations have fluctuated between cooperation and conflict for centuries, yet economic interdependence often tempered escalation until the 2025 crisis sparked by PM Takaichi’s remarks.
Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female PM
Sanae Takaichi won Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on Oct 4, 2025. She became Japan’s first female prime minister.
Japan commits $550billion to US industries in major trade deal
In 2025, the US and Japan reached a major bilateral trade agreement following a period of economic tension from broad US tariff actions.