Topic: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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?

Kosuke Tsuneoka used Twitter to trick Taliban captors

Kosuke Tsuneoka said one of the militants brought him his new cell phone and asked the prisoner to set it up.

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.

World

World

At Tokyo meeting, China and Japan lay groundwork for better ties

Ping pong and pandas buoyed the five-day visit, but tougher issues, such as disputes over energy exploration, went unresolved.