Los Angeles wildfires spread to Hollywood as 100,000 ordered to evacuate; at least 5 dead

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ Raging wildfires surrounding Los Angeles spread to the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, after other fires in the area killed at least five people, destroyed hundreds of… Read more

Canadian leaders say Trump’s talk about Canada becoming 51st state isn’t funny anymore

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments that Canada should become the 51st state are no longer a joke and are meant to undermine America’s closest ally, Canada’s… Read more

NATO membership only credible security guarantee for Ukraine, Finnish foreign minister says

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ Membership in NATO is the only credible long-term security guarantee Ukraine can receive against future Russian aggression, Finland’s top diplomat said on Wednesday. Donald Trump’s return… Read more

Greenland greets Trump interest with MAGA caps but mixed feelings

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ The renewed interest by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Greenland has been greeted enthusiastically by some Greenlanders, although others say the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark is… Read more

Ishiba heads to Malaysia, Indonesia to strengthen defense and economic ties

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday began a four-day trip to Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defense and economic ties… Read more

Sea of Japan coast braces for heavy snow, possible traffic disruption

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ Japan’s weather agency and land ministry on Wednesday warned of heavy snowfall in regions along the Sea of Japan coast on the country’s main island of… Read more

2,663 people died in traffic accidents in 2024, National Police Agency says

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ The National Police Agency says that the number of traffic fatalities nationwide in 2024 was 2,663, down 15 (0.6%) from the previous year. It is the… Read more

Kyoto eyes raising city lodging tax to up to 10,000 yen per night

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ Kyoto municipal authorities plan to raise the lodging tax for hotels and other accommodation to a maximum 10,000 yen per person per night from the current… Read more

UK music sales hit record year, helped by Swift: industry

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ UK music sales reached a record high in 2024 thanks to massive streaming and increased vinyl purchases of hits by top artists, notably Taylor Swift, an… Read more

Djokovic has point to prove against younger rivals at Australian Open

Tokyo, 9 January, /AJMEDIA/ Novak Djokovic returns to the scene of his greatest triumphs this week at the Australian Open, adamant he is ready and able to see off the… Read more