Two helicopters crashed into the sea during military training. The Japanese Defense Ministry was analyzing the cause of the incident, amid suspicion that the two aircraft crashed off the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Two Japanese military helicopters crashed into the Pacific Ocean late on Saturday, with one crew member confirmed dead and seven others still missing. The two helicopters were conducting training "to counter submarines at night" when the incident occurred, said Defense Minister Minoru Kihara. What do we know about the crash? The helicopters were training off the Izu Islands when communication was lost with them. Rescuers "spotted what are believed to be part of the aircraft in the sea, and we believe that the two helicopters crashed," Kihara said. He added that the flight recorders were retrieved and the ministry was analyzing the cause of the incident, "including possibility of a collision between the two." Fragments believed to be from both choppers were found in the same areas, suggesting the two were flying close to each other, Kihara said. He added that only one distress call was heard, another sign the two helicopters were near the same place, as their signals use the same frequency and thus could not be differentiated. In April 2023, a Japanese army helicopter carrying 10 people crashed off Miyako island in southern Okinawa, leaving behind no survivors. Japan has recently upped its military buildup and deterrence in the southwestern Japanese islands in the Pacific and East China Sea. It comes as China's military activities grow more assertive in the region.

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is credited of making a significant transformation in Tokyo's defence stance, moving away from the pacifist constitution imposed by the United States after World War II to increase in defense spending due to the escalating geopolitical tensions and ever evolving security challenges with neighboring nations such as China and North Korea. Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is credited of making a significant transformation in Tokyo's defence stance, moving away from the pacifist constitution imposed by the United States after World War II to increase in defense spending due to the escalating geopolitical tensions and ever evolving security challenges with neighboring nations such as China and North Korea. Japan stands at a critical juncture, prompting a thorough reassessment of its defense strategy.PM Kishida on Saturday underscored the gravity of the situation during a recent interview with CNN at his private residence in Tokyo, characterising the current global landscape as a "historic turning point." Partnership with Japan has long been central to US strategy in the Indo-Pacific, but the defense relationship has expanded under Kishida, who has raised Japan's profile in global and regional security. "As we are witnessing Russia's Ukraine aggression, the continuing situation over the Middle East, as well as the situation in East Asia, we are faced with a historic turning point," Kishida said, adding, "That is why Japan has made a decision to fundamentally reinforce its defence capabilities and we have greatly changed Japan's security policy on these fronts." With Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine, persistent instability in the Middle East, and escalating tensions in East Asia, Japan perceives a pressing need to fortify its defence capabilities, according to CNN. Kishida's remarks come at a crucial juncture, as Japan navigates an increasingly complex security environment. The prime minister emphasised Japan's decision to significantly enhance its defence capabilities, signalling a departure from its traditionally pacifist stance. This shift is indicative of the profound changes underway in Japan's security policy, driven by the imperative to adapt to emerging threats. Central to Japan's strategy for bolstering its defence capabilities is its enduring alliance with the United States. Kishida underscored the paramount importance of the Japan-US partnership, particularly in the face of mounting security challenges. As tensions simmer in the Indo-Pacific region, characterised by North Korea's provocative weapons testing and China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan, the alliance between Japan and the US assumes heightened significance. The upcoming meeting between Kishida and US President Joe Biden in Washington holds considerable significance, serving as a pivotal opportunity to reinforce and modernise the Japan-US alliance. Against the backdrop of regional threats, including North Korea's ballistic missile tests and Russia's geopolitical manoeuvers, both leaders are expected to prioritize enhancing coordination and cooperation. Addressing concerns surrounding Japan's evolving defence policy, Kishida pointed to the "severe and complex" security environment confronting the nation. "In our neighbourhood, there are countries that are developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, and others that are building up their defence capabilities in an opaque way. Also, there is a unilateral attempt to change the status quo, by force, in both the East China Sea and South China Sea," he said in a veiled reference to China's assertive actions in maritime disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea, which have raised tensions with neighbouring countries, including Japan and the Philippines, as reported by CNN. Moreover, Kishida emphasised the importance of enhancing Japan's deterrence and response capabilities in close collaboration with the United States. Recognising the strategic imperative of a robust alliance, Kishida expressed hope for bipartisan support in Washington for further strengthening bilateral ties. "I hope the US will understand this, and that we can work together to improve the region's peace and stability. I think it's important to show the rest of the world that the US and Japan will further evolve our collaboration, through my visit," Kishida said. Beyond the Japan-US alliance, Kishida's visit to Washington also seeks to deepen cooperation with other key regional partners, including the Philippines. This trilateral engagement underscores Japan's commitment to fostering a network of alliances and partnerships aimed at promoting regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. In addition to its regional commitments, Japan has increasingly positioned itself as a global partner to the United States, advocating for closer coordination on security issues spanning Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Kishida has emerged as a vocal supporter of Ukraine and aligned closely with G7 countries in condemning Russia's actions. Moreover, Japan remains vigilant in addressing the security implications of North Korea's belligerence, particularly its aggressive weapons testing program and the unresolved issue of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang decades ago. Kishida's government has also closely monitored the nexus between North Korea, Russia, and China, expressing concern over potential destabilising collaborations in the region. "At the same time, it is important to convey a firm message to North Korea and China that it is important for the peace, stability, and prosperity of the international community to maintain a free and open international order based on the rule of law," the Japanese PM said. "We must also cooperate with them to promote a strong international community, not one of division and confrontation," he added. "I believe that it is important to cooperate with the United States and our allies to create an atmosphere of cooperation, not of division and confrontation, to advance the international community," CNN quoted Kishida as saying.  Source: ANI

Highly acclaimed movie Oppenheimer has gone on show in Japanese movie theaters, many months after its release elsewhere. The story of the architect of the atomic bomb is particularly sensitive in the country. "Oppenheimer," the winner of the Oscars Best Picture award, was finally shown in Japanese cinemas on Friday, where the subject of the creation of the atomic bomb remains a highly charged and emotional subject. Director Christopher Nolan's blockbuster hit the big screens in the United States and other countries in July at the same time as "Barbie" — prompting a viral phenomenon dubbed "Barbenheimer" by movie buffs. But while the famous doll's movie premiered in Japan in August, "Oppenheimer" has been conspicuously absent from the country's cinemas for months. Why was the release date so late? No official explanation was offered, fueling speculation that the film was too controversial to be shown in Japan, the only country to fall victim to the bomb conceived by J. Robert Oppenheimer. Some 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the cities in 1945, days before the end of World War II. In a huge cinema in central Tokyo where Christopher Nolan's film was being screened on Friday, there was no trace of the usual promotional posters for such a global phenomenon. The movie, which had a budget of 100 million dollars, but grossed almost a billion at the box office, was advertised with only a small poster.  The story of physicist Robert Oppenheimer garnered rave reviews and a multitude of awards, winning the most at the Oscars with seven statuettes. The accolades included best film, best director and best actor for Cillian Murphy, who played Oppenheimer. How was the film received in Japan? In Hiroshima, the city devastated by the first nuclear bomb, the movie's success generated mixed feelings. The city has been reborn into a vibrant metropolis of 1.2 million people, but the ruins of a domed building remain standing as a stark reminder of the horror. Kyoko Heya, president of Hiroshima's international film festival, told the AFP news agency after the Oscars ceremony that she found Nolan's film "very American-centric." "Is this really a movie that the people of Hiroshima can endure?" she said. However, upon reflection, Heya said she wants "a lot of people to see the movie." "I would like to see Hiroshima, Nagasaki and atomic weapons become topics of discussion thanks to this film," she said. In Japanese media, critics point out that the film does not show the damage caused by those bombs.

The move marks an end to Japan's famous and long-running negative interest rate policy. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced on Tuesday the end of its negative interest rate policy and increased borrowing costs for the first time in 17 years. The negative rates were a part of Japan's aggressive monetary easing program. "The Bank will encourage the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain at around 0 to 0.1%," the central bank said in a statement, moving them from their previous level of negative 0.1%, thus still keeping rates stuck around zero. It was Japan's first interest rate hike since 2007 and marks an end to a prolonged period of ultra-loose monetary policy aimed at stimulating the economy. More details regarding the decision and possible further hikes would follow BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference later on Monday.  According to the Nikkei newspaper, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "We trust the BoJ," adding that the decision "is in their hands." How significant is the interest rate rise in Japan? The rate hike has a lot of "symbolic significance," Izumi Devalier, head of Japan economics at BofA Securities, said ahead of the announcement. "But the actual impact on the economy is very small." She believed that the BOJ will likely continue keeping monetary conditions loose. Raising the rate will make loans more expensive for consumers and businesses. Following the rate hike, Japanese stocks saw fluctuations on Tuesday, and the yen dropped by 0.39% to 149.74 against the dollar. Understanding BOJ's policy  While many western central banks kept interest rates at or near zero in the roughly 15 years after the financial crash of 2007 and 2008, Japan's was already moving in that direction by the mid 1990s.  This was both as part of a bid to encourage spending and inflation in an aging society with negative population growth, and also in a bid to keep the country's debt repayments manageable, with Japan the most endebted country on the planet as a share of GDP.  In recent months, for the first time in years, inflation in Japan was approaching the Bank of Japan's 2% target level, prompting speculation in recent weeks that a rates change was likely either in March or April's BOJ meeting.   

The U.S. is pushing Japan and the Netherlands to expand their restrictions on semiconductor-related exports to China, seeking to cover equipment for older-generation chips as well as chipmaking chemicals. The U.S. imposed sweeping export curbs in October 2022 to limit China's access to semiconductors seen as key for technologies such as artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles, as well as high-tech weapons. Japan and the Netherlands followed suit last year at Washington's behest, but shipments to China of products not covered by the bans, mainly midrange to high-end chipmaking gear, have grown sharply. This has alarmed Washington, spurring it to press for tougher measures by two countries that are major players in the field. The current curbs broadly restrict exports of gear for making semiconductors in the 10- to 14-nanometer range or smaller. The U.S. wants this expanded to encompass some equipment for older, generic chips. Washington likely has its eye on lithography equipment, which prints circuits onto silicon wafers, and etching systems, used in three-dimensional stacking of memory chips. Japanese players such as Nikon and Tokyo Electron have particularly advanced capabilities in those fields. Essential chipmaking chemicals such as photoresist, for which Japanese companies including Shin-Etsu Chemical control over 90% of the market, are also believed to be in Washington's crosshairs. The Netherlands, home to semiconductor gear maker ASML, has been asked to stop companies from maintaining and servicing chipmaking equipment sold to China before last year's trade curbs took effect. The U.S. has urged Germany and South Korea to stop supplying necessary components as well, according to Bloomberg. Japanese officials and companies have been taken aback by the pressure. "We have no plans to take new measures at this time," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito said Friday. Tokyo last July added 23 items to its list of products subject to export restrictions, including equipment for making advanced semiconductors. It already requires permission to export photoresist for extreme ultraviolet lithography. If Tokyo tightens its curbs on equipment for older chips, Japanese companies might lose market share without meaningfully affecting China's access to products that it still could source from elsewhere. A Shin-Etsu representative said the company cannot comment regarding semiconductor materials. Photoresist maker JSR said it "cannot comment while the details are unknown." The pressure from the U.S. comes amid signs that its initial strategy to slow China's chipmaking advances has not worked as well as hoped. Huawei Technologies in August rolled out smartphones with 7-nm chips -- technology subject to the U.S. curbs -- that China asserts were homegrown. It may have improved on equipment for making older chips that fell outside the restrictions, or used parts and technology acquired before the restrictions took effect. Washington tightened its controls in October, essentially banning exports to global subsidiaries and offices of Chinese companies. The U.S. appears worried that its efforts may be ineffective without another round of coordinated action by allies.   Source: Nikkei Asia

Japan's space agency, JAXA, successfully launched its next-generation H3 rocket into orbit after facing some initial setbacks. Japan successfully launched its next-generation H3 rocket Saturday, almost one year after  two failed attempts previously. The country's space agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), said the rocket's initial flight has been smooth as planned. The H3 rocket launched from Tanegashima Space Center at 9:22 am local time (0022 GMT). The announcement of the rocket's successful orbit was met with cheers throughout the space agency's control center. The rocket has released all its payloads, which includes two microsatellites, the space agency said. "We feel so relieved to be able to announce the good results," JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa told a news conference. "We made a big first step today toward achieving that goal," Yamakawa said. Overcoming earlier failed launches Saturday's launch comes two days later than planned due to weather-related delays.  Last year in February, the launch was abandoned due to ignition issues. Then the following month, the launcher's engine did not ignite in space and a destruct command had to be issued. JAXA president Hiroshi Yamakawa saying that he was happy and "never felt so relieved." Jointly built by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the rocket is designed to carry heavier payloads for cheaper to space.  The next-generation H3 is seen as a cost-effective competitor to Space X's Falcon 9. "The H3 rocket has a unique and novel first-stage engine that delivers greater thrust compared to state-of-the-art rockets," Michele Trenti, director of the Melbourne Space Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, said.   Japan on the space race map The latest success bolsters Japan's credentials as the global space race heats up. In 2025, the H3 rocket is slated to deliver a lunar explorer for the joint Japan-India LUPEX project and, at a future date, will carry a cargo spacecraft for the U.S.-led Artemis moon exploration program. Japan successfully landed its SLIM spacecraft, nicknamed the "Moon Sniper," on the lunar surface last month although its solar panels being misaligned.

"Japan welcomes that overall, the election was generally conducted peacefully. As far as our mission was able to observe, the election process was conducted in accordance with procedures," a press release by embassy of Japan in Bangladesh says today (Jan 10).   According to the press release, Japan hopes that Bangladesh, as a strategic partner, will make progress in its efforts for further development as a democratic nation. Japan intends to continue to support Bangladesh for its development and prosperity, and further develop the bilateral relationship.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida vowed to take every step to rescue "as many people as possible." Meanwhile, those who survived the massive quake are struggling to access basic needs. Japanese rescuers raced against time on Thursday to search for survivors of a devastating New Year's Day earthquake as the crucial three-day window since the disaster closed. Survival rates significantly drop once 72 hours have passed, emergency responders say. Disaster relief pledges The 7.6 magnitude quake hit the Noto peninsula on Japan's western coast on Monday. At least 81 people have thus far been killed and at least 79 others are still unaccounted for. More than 150 have been rescued. "There are many people left behind in the collapsed buildings, waiting to be rescued," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a press conference. "We will use all of our efforts to rescue as many people as possible by this evening, when 72 hours will pass since the disaster." Kishida pledged roughly 4 billion yen ($28 million; €25.5 million) of the national budget on Thursday for disaster relief.     What's hampering rescue operations? Rescue efforts have been complicated by difficult weather conditions and damaged roads that have cut off many of the worst-hit areas. Though material aid has been trickling into the Noto peninsula since the quake, survivors who have been evacuated remain largely in need of more supplies. Some 3,000 meals and 5,000 bottles of water were delivered as of Wednesday to the peninsula city of Wajima. But local mayor Shigeru Sakaguchi said this was not enough for the city's 11,000 evacuees. "First and foremost, it's the road — severed roads are hampering not just aid supplies, but also the recovery of electricity, water, mobile signals and other lifeline infrastructures," he said. The government has pledged to proactively provide supplies, rather than waiting for official requests from local authorities. It also opted to transfer aid via sea, though this route also had its limitations, as larger ships have been unable to dock due to the seabed being buckled by the quake.

More than 60 people have so far been reported dead in the wake of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake which struck Japan on New Year's Day. Authorities warned heavy rain could trigger landslides as rescue operations continue. Japanese rescuers searched for survivors of the New Year's Day earthquake on Wednesday ahead of predicted freezing temperatures and heavy rains that threatened to bring about landslides. The devastating quake rattled Ishikawa prefecture on the west coast of the main island of Honshu, killing at least 62 individuals and destroying hundreds of buildings and sparking fires. The destruction isolated the remote area, and rescuers have since struggled to find survivors. What is the scale of the destruction? The regional government said it expected the death toll to climb, with poor weather conditions and damaged roads complicating rescue efforts. Some 300 people have been injured, 20 of them seriously, with over 31,800 in shelters, the government said. At least 200 buildings had collapsed. "It's been over 40 hours since the initial quake. This is a battle against time, and I believe now is a crucial moment in that battle," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday after an emergency task force meeting. Authorities doubled the number of military personnel dispatched to join the rescue mission. Some 400 other tremors have hit the region since Monday's massive 7.6-magnitude quake, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said. Rainfall, power cuts, water shortages reported Japan's national weather agency advised people to be on alert for landslides, with rainfall expected to continue until Thursday. Suzu area municipal mayor Masuhiro Izumiya said there were "almost no houses standing" in one of the area's towns on the hard-hit Noto peninsula. He described the situation as "completely catastrophic." Some 32,800 households remained without power in Ishikawa prefecture, according to local authorities. Many cities were still without running water, with food also in short supply.  Food and emergency supplies arriving in the region struggled to make their way to those in need, due to damaged and blocked roads.

In a shocking incident at Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines Flight 516, en route from New Chitose Airport , erupted into flames just after landing on Runway C at approximately 5:47 pm (local time) on Tuesday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported. The unfolding situation suggests a potential collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, it reported. Japan Airlines has reported that there were 367 passengers on board, including eight children, along with a crew of 12. All 379 passengers and crew members were evacuated from the aircraft safely. The incident has prompted a massive emergency response, with at least 70 fire trucks and other vehicles dispatched by the Tokyo Fire Department to extinguish the flames, as reported by NHK. The aircraft involved in the collision with the Japan Airlines flight is reported to be an MA722 fixed-wing aircraft belonging to Haneda Air Base. Out of the six people on board the fixed-wing plane, one person has reportedly escaped, but the safety of the remaining five remains unknown.   Video footage from cameras installed at Haneda Airport by Japan Airlines and NHK captured the horrifying moment when flames erupted from the aircraft shortly after it touched down. The incident occurred during what should have been a routine landing, as the flight was scheduled to depart from New Chitose Airport at 4 pm and land at Haneda Airport at 5:40 pm. The government promptly set up an information liaison room at the Crisis Management Centre of the Prime Minister's Office at 6:05 pm on Tuesday to collect and coordinate information regarding the incident. In response to the emergency, all runways at Haneda Airport were closed around 6 pm, causing significant disruptions to air traffic. Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have indicated that there is information suggesting a collision between the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 from New Chitose Airport and the Japan Coast Guard aircraft near the runway. The cause of the collision is yet to be officially determined.   The disaster prevention centre at the Japan Airlines Building at Haneda Airport reported that the fire is localised on Runway C. Despite efforts to control the situation, the severity of the incident raises concerns about the safety protocols in place at one of Japan's busiest airports, NHK reported.  Source: ANI