Japan SDF scandals likely to hit tax hike plan, int’l security ties

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ A series of scandals concerning the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Defense Ministry, which resulted in the resignation of Japan’s top admiral on Friday, has dealt… Read more

Pacific island leaders agree to enhance Japan’s role in the region amid growing China influence

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ Leaders of 18 Pacific island nations and areas agreed to an enhanced role of Japan in the region’s development while opposing any attempted coercive activity, in… Read more

11 dead, dozens missing after highway bridge in China crumbles in flooding and heavy storms

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ Chinese authorities say at least 11 people have died in the partial collapse of a highway bridge in the northwest following heavy storms and flooding. The… Read more

Trump says he spoke with Zelenskyy; pledges to ‘end the war’

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Friday he had spoken by telephone with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and pledged to end the European country’s war… Read more

Majority of Democrats think Kamala Harris would make a good president, AP-NORC poll shows

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ As President Joe Biden faces a growing drumbeat of pressure to drop his reelection bid, a majority of Democrats think his vice president would make a… Read more

Blinken points to wider pledges to support Ukraine in case U.S. backs away under Trump

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ Ukraine is on its way to being able to “stand on its own feet” militarily, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday, noting that more than… Read more

Boeing case puts a spotlight on plea agreements involving corporate defendants

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ After two jetliner crashes killed 346 people, a $2.5 billion settlement that let Boeing avoid criminal prosecution failed to resolve questions about the safety of the… Read more

Adidas ‘revising’ campaign for retro shoes that drew criticism from Israel

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ Adidas said Friday that it is “revising” its campaign for running shoes inspired by a design dating back to the time of the 1972 Munich Olympics,… Read more

Cardmember spending drives American Express second-quarter profits soaring 39%

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ American Express said Friday second-quarter profits jumped 39% as the credit card company benefitted again from a broad increase in cardmember spending as well as more… Read more

Apartment in Saitama explodes following bizarre series of events

Tokyo, 20 July, /AJMEDIA/ At roughly 8:30 on Thursday night, an explosion occurred in the town of Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, about 10 minutes north of Tokyo. The explosion didn’t occur… Read more