
Japan, UK, Italy form Edgewing joint venture for next-gen fighter jet
The plan to develop a sixth-generation aircraft whose capabilities exceed current fighters like the U.S. F-35 began in December 2022. The partner countries aim to deploy the new jet in 2035.

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Kyodo News
5 days ago
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: Aug. 8, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan says U.S. to correct tariff deal "mistake" WASHINGTON - The United States has admitted to a "mistake" in implementing part of a bilateral trade deal with Japan and has agreed to correct it in line with what both sides agreed to about two weeks ago, a Japanese negotiator said Thursday. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, told reporters in Washington that the United States has also promised that import taxes collected as a result of the mistake will be refunded to importers. ---------- Special heavy rain warning issued for Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture TOKYO - Japan's weather agency issued a special heavy rain warning for Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Friday morning, as rain battered the southwestern island of Kyushu. The Satsuma and Osumi areas in the prefecture have been seeing severe precipitation for some time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. ---------- Japan's household spending in June up 1.3% on year TOKYO - Japan's household spending rose a real 1.3 percent in June from a year earlier, government data showed Friday. Households of two or more people spent an average of 295,419 yen ($2,012) in the reporting month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said. ---------- Japan logs current account surplus of 14.6 trillion yen in 1st half TOKYO - Japan posted a current account surplus of 14.60 trillion yen ($99.5 billion) in the first half of 2025, the Finance Ministry said Friday. In June alone, the country logged a 1.35 trillion yen current account surplus. ---------- SDF F-2A fighter jet crashes in Pacific off east Japan, pilot rescued TOKYO - An Air Self-Defense Force F-2A fighter jet crashed Thursday in the Pacific off eastern Japan during a training flight, with the pilot rescued after escaping the aircraft before impact. The pilot in his 30s ejected from the aircraft before it went down around 12:35 p.m. off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture, according to the ASDF, which later announced it grounded all 90 F-2s unless needed for urgent duties such as airspace violation responses. ---------- Young Japanese brewers promote sake in Beijing ahead of 3-day event BEIJING - Young Japanese sake brewers promoted their products Thursday at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing ahead of a three-day event in the capital from the following day to pitch the drink in China, Japan's largest overseas market by value. At the "Sake Jump" event in Beijing, the second of its kind to be held outside of Japan following one held in Hong Kong in June, 23 brewers from 14 prefectures will showcase their sake. ---------- Cambodia, Thailand agree to ASEAN role as cease-fire observers KUALA LUMPUR - Cambodia and Thailand agreed to allow the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to observe the cease-fire the two countries reached late last month to end fighting in a disputed border area, as their top defense officials met Thursday in Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair. The meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur as Cambodia and Thailand continued to accuse each other of cross-border attacks, even after their leaders agreed to a cease-fire ending five days of fighting that began on July 24 and left 32 dead in Thailand and at least 13 in Cambodia. ---------- Medal designs revealed with 100 days to go until Tokyo Deaflympics TOKYO - Tokyo Deaflympics medals adorned with cherry blossom and origami designs were unveiled Thursday to mark 100 days until the opening of the multi-sport event for hearing-impaired athletes. Some 80,000 elementary, junior-high and high school students from across Japan voted for their favorite medal designs ahead of the event, being hosted in the country for the first time. Video: Tokyo Deaflympics medals unveiled


Nikkei Asia
6 days ago
- Nikkei Asia
Japan deploys 1st F-35B stealth fighters to bolster island defenses
Defense Vertical-landing jets to operate from modified helicopter carriers Izumo and Kaga Three F-35B stealth fighter jets arrive at Nyutabaru Air Base in Japan's Miyazaki prefecture on Aug. 7. (Photo by Konosuke Urata) SHINNOSUKE NAGATOMI TOKYO -- Japan deployed the first of its U.S.-made F-35B fighters to an air base on Thursday, with the jets assigned to strengthen defenses of outlying southwest islands.


Nikkei Asia
01-08-2025
- Nikkei Asia
Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: Thailand and Cambodia step back from the brink
Hello from Tokyo. A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, following an escalation in clashes that began on Thursday last week, took effect at 0:00 a.m. on Tuesday. At Nikkei Asia, we provided continuous coverage throughout the weekend via live blogs and breaking news updates. When reports emerged that Thailand had deployed F-16 fighter jets against Cambodia, our newsroom braced for the worst: the possibility of full-scale war between the two nations. Fortunately, the conflict -- which claimed more than 40 lives and displaced around 300,000 people -- was halted through mediation by Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN. Although sporadic violence continued in places even after the ceasefire, the truce -- fragile as it may seem -- has taken hold. For a detailed look at the ceasefire and behind-the-scenes analysis of the two militaries, please read our coverage here. This episode has underscored the fragility of ties among some Southeast Asian nations. Had tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated further -- especially amid the ongoing civil war in Myanmar -- it would have delivered a serious blow to the region's economy and political stability. That the crisis was contained within the ASEAN framework is significant. Maintaining regional peace is essential for the bloc at a time when it faces challenges such as intensifying U.S.-China tensions and high tariffs from the Trump administration. Nikkei Asia has a major editorial bureau in Bangkok, and contributing writers in Cambodia helped drive our coverage of the recent events. As editor-in-chief, I am deeply concerned about rising tensions in the region. At the same time, I also take great pride in how our journalists continue to deliver timely, responsible and impartial reporting during crises -- one of our greatest strengths. I invite you to log in to Nikkei Asia and explore our reporting on the turbulent period that unfolded. Nikkei Forum in Melbourne Lastly, I have an announcement. On Aug. 18, Nikkei will host the Nikkei Forum in Melbourne, where experts and our Sydney-based reporters will explore the deepening business and economic ties between Japan and Australia. Online viewing is free, so please register to join the discussion! My suggested reads 1. Australia's auto market is one of the most competitive in the world, and Chinese makers want a bigger slice of it. Our reporter in Sydney visited the imposing off-road track known as Beer O'Clock Hill to see how companies like GWM aim to prove they have both the tech and toughness to muscle out rival brands. 2. Tourism-related stocks in Thailand -- from airlines to hotels and retailers -- have slumped amid falling foreign visitor numbers, particularly from China, making the country's equity market one of the region's worst performers. As our reporter in Bangkok notes, ongoing tensions with Cambodia, despite a ceasefire agreement, may further dampen travel demand and pressure the sector. 3. Faith-based businesses in Malaysia are staging events attracting thousands of people from across the region as demand rises for accessible spiritual inspiration. With tickets, sponsors, merch and vendor booths, these gatherings -- held for both Muslims and Christians -- could easily be mistaken for pop concerts or cultural festivals, just with a higher purpose. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Akito Tanaka Sign up for the weekly Editor-in-chief's picks newsletter here. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram