Topic: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Japan scrambles jets, claiming Russian airspace invasion

Japan said two Russian fighter jets briefly entered Japan's airspace near disputed islands, prompting Japan to scramble combat fighter jets in response. Russia denied the charge.

Japan says Russian jets intruded in its airspace

Tokyo's claim coincides with Japan's annual 'Northern Territories Day,' during which rallies are held to urge Russia to return several islands the Soviet Union seized during World War II.

Japan: China used weapons radar in disputed waters

The Japanese defense minister accused Chinese navy vessels of locking a weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese ship and helicopter in the East China Sea last month.

Islamic militants attack Algerian gas field, kidnap at least nine

It is not clear whether the dawn raid, which left two dead and at least nine foreigners kidnapped, was tied to France's military intervention against Islamist rebels in neighboring Mali.

Beijing protesters damage US ambassador's car

A crowd mobbed a car carrying the US ambassador to China at the height of protests against Japan’s claims over a set of disputed islands in the East China Sea Tuesday.

Terrorism & Security Concerns mount as Japan, China island dispute shows no sign of easing (+video)

Twelve Chinese vessels have moved to the waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea to patrol and enforce the law, according to Chinese state media.

China moves to quell anti-Japanese demonstrations

The Chinese government is reigning in the sometimes violent protests against Japanese businesses, amidst rising anti-Japanese sentiment over a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Tensions rise between China and Japan over disputed islands

Sporadic, violent protests against Japanese businesses broke out across China this weekend after the Japanese government announced that it had purchased from private Japanese owners islands that are claimed by China.  

Chinese protesters clash with police outside Japanese embassy (+video)

People are in the streets over a chain of islands disputed by China and Japan; the issue bubbled to the surface last week when the Japanese government purchased the islands from their private owner.

Syrian minister warns US against intervention after chemical weapons remarks (+video)

The comments came a day after President Barack Obama said the US would reconsider its opposition to military involvement in the Syrian civil war if Bashar Assad's government deploys or uses chemical or biological weapons, describing it as a 'red line' for the United States.

Why Japan is angry over South Korea's visit to an island

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's surprise visit to a small rocky island marks an abrupt escalation in a territory dispute with Japan.

In surprise move, South Korea postpones military intelligence pact with Japan

South Korea and Japan were supposed to sign a military intelligence pact today – but a political firestorm erupted in South Korea, where resentment of Japan’s colonization remains.

South Korea puts off Japan military pact at last minute

Shortly before the signing was postponed, Japan's foreign minister had called the military intelligence agreement with South Korea a 'historic event.'

Tsunami debris: Dock from Japan floats 5,000 miles to Oregon (+video)

Beside the dock, there are 1.5 million tons of tsunami debris still floating in the Pacific. A Harley Davidson in a crate arrived in British Colombia. A soccer ball from Japan washed up in Alaska. 

Opinion: Diplomacy flowers with cherry blossoms

At the close of the 100th anniversary celebration of Tokyo's gift of cherry blossoms to Washington, it's worth remembering the story of diplomacy behind the trees. Like most diplomatic initiatives, this one had to overcome indifference, opposition, and many setbacks before it could flower.

Japan's new PM visits South Korea. Will the visit bring the countries closer?

Japan and South Korea have a complicated history, but both face challenges with North Korea and a rising China.

Pearl Harbor skull unearthed, may be Japanese pilot

Pearl Harbor skull: An excavation crew dredging the harbor recently made the startling discovery of the skull, which archeologists believe is from one of the Japanese aviators in the surprise attack.

West Africa Rising: Can Japan check China's clout in Africa?

At a meeting in Dakar, Senegal this week, Japanese diplomats laid out Japan's proposal for a permanent African seat on the United Nations Security Council.

China's sympathetic response to Japan's crisis eases tensions

Japan's quake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis have eased China-Japan tensions heartens many, but flash points remain.

South Koreans pause protests to grieve for Japanese

A group of South Korean women who have protested outside the Japanese embassy every week for 20 years halted their protests for only the second time ever to show support for those affected by the March 11 tsunami in Japan.

Japan. Libya. The deficit. Did Obama have time to go on ESPN?

After Obama announced his 'bracket' choices on live TV, he drew fire from Republicans for not focusing more on world crises and the deficit. Was his ESPN appearance a bit of March Madness?

Whale Wars: Sea Shepherd Watson threatens citizen arrests, says donations pouring in

After a collision with a Japanese whaler that led to the sinking of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Societies Ady Gil last week, the group's leader Paul Watson threatened "citizen's arrests" and said the incident had been a fund-raising boon.

Clinton's North Korea trip spurs hope – and unease – in Asia

Bill Clinton spoke to Kim Jong-il about detained South Koreans and missing Japanese citizens. But N. Korea's neighbors are skeptical of any move away from six-party framework for dialogue.

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