The world became much more insecure last week
Actions by allies and adversaries alike have underscored the challenges that Japan faces navigating this world and the uncertainty that now frames its decision making.
World
japantimes.co.jp
21.08.2026
Japan executes man who killed five in Pachinko parlour fire
This is the first time since June 2025 that the country has enacted capital punishment.
World
bbc.co.uk
21.08.2026
Japan’s inflation picks up, backing BOJ’s case for rate hike
The consumer price index excluding fresh food rose 1.8% in July from a year earlier, picking up from a 1.6% advance in the previous month.
World
japantimes.co.jp
21.08.2026
North Korea is ratcheting up its anti-Japan rhetoric
Tokyo is becoming a bigger factor in Pyongyang's geopolitical maneuvering — and a more useful justification to press ahead with its military ambitions.
World
japantimes.co.jp
21.08.2026
Japan executes 58-year-old man convicted of killing five in 2009 Osaka pachinko parlor arson
The death row convict was executed Friday morning, according to media reports.
World
japantimes.co.jp
21.08.2026
Four railway workers killed by express train at station in Japan
Four railway workers spraying herbicide on tracks north of Tokyo were killed by an express train.
World
aljazeera.com
20.08.2026
‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ in Japan, perhaps for the last time
The work will be displayed from Friday at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka while its home museum, the Mauritshuis in The Hague, closes until September 20 for maintenance.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
India and Japan agree to bolster defense ties
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh held talks and signed a memorandum on maritime security cooperation.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Paths to tighter political donations rules in Japan remain unclear
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to continue prioritizing reducing seats in the House of Representatives over tightening rules on corporate political donations.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Facial recognition technology coming into wider use in Japan
Concerns about privacy violations persist, making thorough user information management essential.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
North Korea fires 10 missiles day after Trump curtails South Korea joint drills
Launches, detected by South Korea and Japan, came after US scaled back exercises with South Korea in apparent overture to Kim Jong-unNorth Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
North Korea launches missiles as Trump seeks to rekindle nuclear talks
Hours after Trump said he expects to hold new talks with Kim Jong Un, South Korea and Japan said several short-range missiles were launched by the North.
World
cbsnews.com
20.08.2026
North Korea fires a suspected missile toward the sea, Japan says
The suspected launch on Thursday comes a day after North Korea shrugged off a U.S. decision to scale back military drills with South Korea in an apparent bid to resume diplomacy.
World
npr.org
20.08.2026
North Korea fires off missile hours after Trump says he plans to meet Kim
The missile is believed to have splashed down in waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
U.S. wants allies, including Japan, to end support for International Criminal Court
The statement by a U.S. State Department spokesperson follows U.S. sanctions announced Tuesday against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Over 30% shift stance on ethical dilemmas after AI rebuttal, Japan study shows
The study also showed that older adults were more likely to be swayed, highlighting the technology's potential influence in graying Japan.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Four workers dead after being hit by train in Japan
The train collided with the four men at Shin-Kanuma Station, north of Tokyo, authorities say.
World
bbc.co.uk
20.08.2026
The time to defend the International Criminal Court is now
Despite reticence to confront destabilizing U.S. behavior, there are risks to Japan's interests and wider support for the ICC should it choose not to firmly respond.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Japan and Saudi Arabia agree on importance of safe Hormuz passage without costs
The ministers discussed the tensions in the Middle East during their strategic dialogue in the Saudi capital.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Japan’s bad market week continues, with the yen, bonds and stocks struggling
Fiscal concerns are denting investor confidence, while a global tech rout is a contributing factor.
World
japantimes.co.jp
19.08.2026