logo
US once again selects strategic nuclear base for talks with Japan

US once again selects strategic nuclear base for talks with Japan

Nikkei Asia19 hours ago

WASHINGTON -- In an annual display of nuclear muscle, U.S. government officials showed their Japanese counterparts a fleet of B-52 strategic bombers on an Air Force base in Louisiana.
The first Extended Deterrence Dialogue of President Donald Trump's second administration was held last Thursday and Friday at Barksdale Air Force Base, home of Air Force Global Strike Command. Photos of the visit were released on Monday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Toyota proposes selling U.S. cars in Japan to promote tariff talks
Toyota proposes selling U.S. cars in Japan to promote tariff talks

Kyodo News

time44 minutes ago

  • Kyodo News

Toyota proposes selling U.S. cars in Japan to promote tariff talks

KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 21:15 | All, World, Japan Toyota Motor Corp. has proposed to the government that it sell U.S.-made cars in Japan through its domestic dealership network, the company said in an online video. The proposal is intended to support Japan's trade negotiations with the United States over President Donald Trump's tariffs. Observers said increased imports of U.S.-made cars could help narrow the large U.S. trade deficit, a source of frustration for Trump. According to a video released on Monday, Chairman Akio Toyoda informed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during their May meeting that Toyota would be able to sell vehicles manufactured by U.S. automakers through its network of over 4,000 stores in Japan. The video also revealed Toyoda's willingness to consider reimporting U.S.-produced automobiles to Japan as an option. Under Trump's so-called reciprocal tariff regime, announced on April 2, nearly every nation in the world has been hit with a baseline duty of 10 percent, with Japan facing an additional country-specific tariff of 14 percent for a total rate of 24 percent. Japan, meanwhile, has been affected by Trump's extra 25 percent tariff on automobiles, along with other sector-specific levies imposed on national security grounds. Tokyo presented a package of proposals to Washington to reach a deal. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's top tariff negotiator known as a close aide to Ishiba, is expected to visit the United States later this week for a sixth round of ministerial-level talks aimed at securing concessions over the series of tariffs. Related coverage: Japan, U.S. eye Ishiba-Trump summit in Canada on G7 margins Japan's top negotiator eyes U.S. trip this week for 6th tariff talks

Shrinking city in Miyagi turns to foreign students for revitalization
Shrinking city in Miyagi turns to foreign students for revitalization

Asahi Shimbun

time2 hours ago

  • Asahi Shimbun

Shrinking city in Miyagi turns to foreign students for revitalization

The 28 students take turns talking about their goals during the April 10 entrance ceremony at the Osaki City Japanese Language School in Osaki, Miyagi Prefecture. (Ikuko Abe) OSAKI, Miyagi Prefecture—Applause rang out at an elementary school here that shut down in March 2023. The crowd was cheering for the 28 students aged between 18 and 63 from Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia who represent hope for the future of this city in the northeastern Tohoku region. The occasion was the April 10 entrance ceremony for the Osaki City Japanese Language School, the second public Japanese language school in the country. The positive reaction to the students was an indication that Osaki residents are losing their prejudicial feelings about non-Japanese residents. The city government decided to establish the school after Yoshihiro Murai won his fifth term as governor of Miyagi Prefecture in 2021, pledging to accelerate efforts to receive talented individuals from overseas to replenish the declining population. The Osaki City Japanese Language School classes, operated with the cooperation of public sector entities, are held at the former city-run Nishi-Furukawa Elementary School, which was closed due to a decrease in the number of students. Using a microphone, the language students introduced themselves in Japanese and talked about their wishes and goals. According to the basic resident registry, Osaki had a population of 128,718 in 2020. Since then, it has decreased by 7,492 over the past five years. The percentage of people 65 and older was 32.1 percent in 2024, higher than the prefectural average of 29.5 percent and the national average of 29.3 percent. The two-story school building was renovated using grants from the prefectural government and other funds. Desks and other equipment were replaced with new ones, while the library has a collection of manga books. There is also a prayer room for religious students. 'The school building where children's voices were once heard has been given a new life,' Toshimitsu Suzuki, 66, the school's principal, said in a congratulatory message during the ceremony. 'All you students revived the school.' The enrollees will spend up to two years learning Japanese while mingling with local residents and experiencing farming. They aim to acquire Japanese language skills equivalent to the second-highest N2 level on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test by the time they graduate. After finishing school, students will be hired by companies in Osaki on referral from the local chamber of commerce and industry and other institutions. 'We want them to energize the community,' an Osaki city official said. FOLLOWING PRECEDENT Osaki is following the example of Higashikawa town in Hokkaido, which established the first public Japanese language school in the country in 2015. Higashikawa has been promoting the community by increasing consumption among foreign students and taking other measures. It had only 50 foreign nationals at the end of 2012 before the school was established, but the non-Japanese population climbed to 541 as of April this year, a more than tenfold increase. The town's overall population has risen from 6,973 to 8,711. Ishinomaki city, also in Miyagi Prefecture, is considering a municipal Japanese language school to revitalize the community. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING The Osaki city government has stationed an official at Nishi-Furukawa Station near the school to support foreign students who use the JR Rikuuto Line to commute from their dormitory. The deficit-ridden station had been unmanned since 2005 due to decreasing ridership. The students are now expected to help create a bustling atmosphere around the station. 'As the city's hub for multicultural inclusiveness, we have high expectations to meet,' said Suzuki, who responded to a public solicitation by the city government to serve as principal. He started working in April 2024 during preparations to open the school. During an explanatory session hosted by the municipality, Suzuki was surprised when residents expressed concerns that their children would be taking the same school route with the foreign students. Suzuki says he invites residents to classes so that they can mingle with the students and ease such unfounded worries. He feels the students have brought a fresh breeze into the community in the one month since the school opened. 'We will continue to deepen our mutual understanding and build an environment where students can learn at ease,' he said.

Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal
Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal

Japan Today

time2 hours ago

  • Japan Today

Japanese frigate arrives in Australia as Tokyo bids for defense deal

By KEIRAN SMITH A state-of-the-art Japanese warship has arrived in Australia as part of a high-stakes campaign to secure a $6.5 billion contract to build the country's next fleet of general-purpose frigates. The JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory in what appears a symbolic and strategic move aimed at strengthening defense ties with Australia and showcasing Japanese naval technology. Japan's bid, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was short-listed in November for the Royal Australian Navy's SEA 3000 frigate project and is competing against Germany's MEKO A-200 offered by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The Australian Government will select a preferred design later this year, with construction for 11 new vessels slated to begin the following year. 'We will go through the process of assessing those bids, both very impressive. We intend to make a decision in relation to that this year,' Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said during his visit to Indonesia last week. 'We intend to make a decision as quickly as we can, which means, before the end of this year.' As part of its military buildup, Japan is pushing to strengthen its largely domestic defense industry by participating in joint development, including a next-generation fighter jet with Britain and Italy, and promoting foreign sales like the Mogami-class ships. In a sign of its commitment and heavy investment Japan has pledged to prioritize the RAN's order over its own naval procurement. The project not only serves to further deepen cooperation between Japan and Australia but also to enhance Japan's warship capabilities, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has said. The Japanese Mogami-class design boasts advanced combat systems, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities, and mine countermeasure operations — all operated by a lean crew of around 90, helping to address ongoing recruitment challenges in the Australian Navy. The vessel's commanding officer, Masayoshi Tamura, said the ship's smaller crew was an aim of the Mogami-class ship. 'The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force thought we need stealth, and less people, and a little bit smaller ship,' Tamura told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The JS Yahagi's visit to Darwin comes amid intensifying strategic cooperation between Canberra and Tokyo, both of which have emphasized the importance of maritime safety and security of sea lanes. The frigate's arrival is also seen as a gesture of Japan's growing role in regional security and its desire to align more closely with key partners like Australia. In September 2024, Australia and Japan agreed to increase joint military training exercises to address shared concerns of China's incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters. Two months later, defense ministers from Australia, Japan and the U.S. held tripartite talks in Darwin to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening security ties and planning for joint military operations in northern Australia. Japanese marine units are also now included in annual training rotations of U.S. Marines in Darwin. —— Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store