Topic: Shinzo Abe

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Focus China-Japan island dispute opens door to misunderstandings

Stubbornness over conflicting claims to the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands in the East China Sea holds out the prospect of competing maritime patrols and continued tensions, raising the risk of an incident.
Focus Will China, Japan, and South Korea hit the 'reset' button for Asia?

In a historic moment of coincidence, new leaders are taking the helm in China, Japan, and South Korea, providing an unprecedented moment for the region to refresh relations.
Energy Voices Japan should invest in European shale gas

Shale gas is already having an impact as Japan looks to import suddenly plentiful natural gas from the US. Natural gas from shale should force Europe to recalibrate its own energy future.
US-Japan leaders discuss trade, China, and North Korea

President Obama met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Friday. Major topics included Japan's joining a regional trade pact, North Korea's recent nuclear test, and a Japan-China territorial dispute.
What Japan's hawkish Prime Minister Abe wants from Obama

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Washington today to discuss regional security and economic issues with President Obama. His overriding concern is confirmation of the strength of US-Japan ties.
Will rising tensions in Asia push Japan toward a full-fledged military?

Prime Minister Abe is proposing small steps, such as renaming the Self-Defense Forces, with an eye toward moving away from the legal restrictions that have governed Japan's military since World War II.
Focus US 'pivot to Asia': Is John Kerry retooling it?

A focus of American resources on Asia was a major priority when Hillary Rodham Clinton was secretary of State. But it is unclear if John Kerry will follow her approach exactly, many regional analysts say.
N. Korea nuclear test: Will it spoil Obama's disarmament plans?

Pyongyang's recent nuclear tests have hawks in neighboring South Korea and Japan clamoring for nuclear weapons of their own and China jittery about its own stockpile. The US is caught in the middle.
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.
Global News Blog China tensions with Japan sell fireworks?

Some manufacturers of New Year fireworks are profiting from strong anti-Japanese sentiment related to territorial disputes. Just check out the names of certain pyrotechnics for sale on Beijing streets.
Terrorism & Security After deaths and escapes, Algeria hostage crisis still not over

Islamist militants have taken gas plant workers from at least ten countries - including the United States - hostage in the Saharan desert.
Japan's Abe: Will the hawkish nationalist have to rule as a moderate?

The new prime minister ran on a platform of restoring national pride and standing up to China, but pressures in and outside the country may force him to dial back that rhetoric.
South Korea's president-elect promises aid to North

South Korea's incoming president, Park Geun-hye, says she will reach out to the North and offer humanitarian aid. Some analysts doubt her sincerity and expect her to take a more moderate approach.
Japan's hawkish Abe claims the win, but not a mandate

Shinzo Abe is set to become Japan's seventh prime minister in 6-1/2 years on Dec. 26. While he is known for a tougher line on China, many say he will focus largely on Japan's economy.
Japan's new PM to tap Taro Aso, former prime minister, for finance post

Shinzo Abe, elected Japan's news prime minister, will offer the finance minster's job to Taro Aso, a former prime minister and Liberal Democratic Party veteran.
Japan's new PM to pressure central bank on monetary stimulus (+video)

Shinzo Abe, elected over the weekend, also wants to improve relations with China while remaining firm on the islands dispute. Meanwhile, the yen has slipped, post-election, in financial markets Monday.
Japan's deadlock over? A supermajority emerges in exit polls.

Japan’s main conservative party pulled off a major victory in Sunday’s election, giving its leader, Shinzo Abe, a mandate to push for big public spending and a hawkish foreign policy.
Japan eyes seventh premier in six years after conservative surge

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears set to rise to high office once again following elections today in Japan.
Terrorism & Security Japan scrambles F-15s after China flies over disputed islands

The Chinese plane had already left the islands – known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan – by the time the Japanese F-15s arrived.
Defiant North Korean rocket launch gives Kim Jong-un a boost (+video)

One year into his role as North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un made a statement by launching a rocket on Wednesday. Experts suggest the launch was intended to honor the current leader's father who died last year.
Japan tunnel collapse ignites debate about infrastructure spending

Japan has ordered immediate inspections of dozens of road and highway tunnels after the ceiling of a tunnel near Tokyo collapsed on Sunday, killing nine people.
Japan dissolves Parliament, leaving government divided

Elections are set for Dec. 16. If Prime Minister Noda's center-left party loses, the economically sputtering country will get its seventh prime minister in more than six years.
Terrorism & Security China's naval exercises in East China Sea send warning to regional rivals

Chinese naval exercises today simulated a conflict in disputed waters. Tensions between China and Japan have been mounting over claims to a set of islands in the East China Sea.
Would Japanese nationalist Abe's return to premiership fuel row with China?

Japan's main opposition party has chosen Shinzo Abe, the nationalist former prime minister, to lead it, positioning him to likely return to the prime minister's office by year's end.