The Japan Times - Politics

Featured

Zelenskyy arrives in Dublin for meetings on Ukraine and peace efforts

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is holding a bilateral meeting with President Zelenskyy this evening Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed in Dublin and here he will meet US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

Ireland and Ukraine consider drone cooperation memorandum after Dublin talks

Ireland and Ukraine exploring joint memorandum on drones following bilateral Ireland and Ukraine are exploring forming a joint memorandum on drones, the Taoiseach said following a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian President.

Last news

Hezbollah fires rockets after deadly Israeli strikes on east Lebanon

Hezbollah on Monday fired a volley of rockets at an Israeli military base, the Lebanese group said after Israel's first strikes on Lebanon's east in months of hostilities linked to the Gaza war.

Jordan air-drops aid into Gaza with help of French plane

The Jordanian army on Monday said it had carried out a series of humanitarian aid drops of food and other supplies into the besieged Gaza Strip, one of them by a French army plane.

Gaza fate under scrutiny at UN rights council

The "collective punishment" of civilians in Gaza was not justifiable, the UN chief told the Human Rights Council on Monday, amid mounting fears of an Israeli invasion of Rafah.

Last holdout Hungary approves Sweden's NATO bid

Hungary's parliament on Monday ratified Sweden's bid to join NATO, clearing the final obstacle for an enlargement of the military alliance spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Gaza fate under scruinty at UN rights council

The "collective punishment" of civilians in Gaza was not justifiable, the UN chief told the Human Rights Council on Monday, amid mounting fears of an Israeli invasion of Rafah.

Palestinian PM resigns citing 'new reality' of Gaza war

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced Monday the resignation of his government, which rules parts of the Israeli occupied West Bank, citing the need for change after the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza ends.

Last holdout Hungary ratifies Swedish NATO bid

Hungary's parliament on Monday ratified Sweden's NATO bid, clearing the final obstacle for an enlargement of the military alliance spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Does Sweden joining make the Baltic Sea a 'NATO lake'?

Sweden's accession to NATO adds a final puzzle piece to the alliance around the shores of the strategically important Baltic Sea -- but Russia still poses a threat above and below water.

US airman dead after self-immolating outside Israeli embassy

A US airman has died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington at the weekend in protest over the war in Gaza, the Air Force said Monday.

Polish farmers keep German border crossing blocked

Polish farmers blocked a major highway into Germany on Monday, carrying their protest against EU regulations and "uncontrolled" Ukrainian grain imports into its second day.

UN voices alarm as Israel says preparing for Rafah invasion

Israel said Monday its army had readied a plan to evacuate Gazans ahead of a feared invasion of far-southern Rafah, leading the UN chief to warn a ground attack would "put the final nail in the coffin" of its aid operations.

Last holdout Hungary to vote on Swedish NATO bid

Hungary's parliament was expected to ratify Sweden's NATO bid on Monday, the final obstacle for an enlargement of the alliance spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Hungarian parliament to vote on Swedish NATO bid

Hungary's parliament is expected to ratify Sweden's NATO bid Monday, ending more than a year of delay that left fellow defence alliance partners furious as Ukraine fought off Russian troops.

WTO meets with calls for consensus amid geopolitical tensions

The World Trade Organization opened a high-level ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi Monday with calls for consensus as geopolitical tensions and the looming US election undermine chances of a major breakthrough.

Once a 'nobody', Jokowi's son set to become Indonesia's VP

By his own admission, Gibran Rakabuming Raka was a "nobody" a few months before Indonesia's elections.

Tuvalu names new PM, Taiwan says ties 'everlasting'

Taiwan said it received assurances from Tuvalu's new prime minister Monday that ties were "everlasting", scotching rumours that the Pacific island nation was poised to flip alliances to Beijing.

Israeli military proposes 'plan for evacuating' Gaza civilians

Israel's military proposed a plan for evacuating civilians from the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Monday, after he said a ground invasion of the Palestinian territory's southern city Rafah was necessary for "total victory".

US airman sets himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington

An active member of the US Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington on Sunday, officials said, as media reported he was protesting the war in Gaza.

Macron seeks to rally European support for Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron is due to host European leaders Monday for a conference aimed at strengthening Western support for Ukraine, two years into the Russian invasion.

WTO convenes ministers in UAE with slim hopes for breakthrough

The world's trade ministers gathered in the UAE on Monday for a high-level WTO meeting with no clear prospects for breakthroughs, amid geopolitical tensions and disagreements.

Paris holds its breath for Olympic swimming events in murky Seine

Organisers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris may be feeling a little queasy over their commitment to hold open water swimming in the scenic but often polluted Seine.

Israel army proposes evacuation plan as PM vows push into Gaza's far-south

Israel's military proposed a plan Monday for "evacuating" civilians from the Gaza Strip, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ground invasion of the Palestinian territory's southern city Rafah was necessary for "total victory".

Brazil's Bolsonaro slams election ban as thousands rally behind him

Thousands of Brazilians poured into the streets of Sao Paulo on Sunday as ex-president Jair Bolsonaro flexed his political muscle and hit out at an election ban that has seen him barred from seeking office for eight years.

Sudan authorities block cross-border aid to stricken Darfur

Authorities loyal to the army in war-ravaged Sudan have blocked cross-border aid to the western Darfur region, a move decried by aid workers and the United States.

Thousands rally for Brazil's Bolsonaro amid legal firestorm

Thousands of Brazilians poured into the streets of Sao Paulo on Sunday after ex-president Jair Bolsonaro called for a show of support as he faces accusations he plotted a coup to stay in power.

Qatar emir due in Paris for talks on Gaza

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose country has played the key mediation role in the Gaza war, visits Paris this week for talks with President Emmanuel Macron, the French presidency said Sunday.

W.African bloc lifts sanctions against Guinea, Mali

West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS said Sunday it was easing sanctions imposed on Guinea and Mali, a day after announcing a similar decision for Niger, another country under military rule.

Austrian extremist released after months held in Afghanistan

An Austrian far-right extremist who visited Afghanistan reportedly to prove it was a safe country was released on Sunday after nine months in detention there.

Haley soldiers on despite growing inevitability of Trump

Is it political strategy, donor pressure or perhaps hubris? Nikki Haley is vowing "the fight goes on" against Donald Trump, positioning herself as a viable option in case the scandal-plagued Republican frontrunner's campaign implodes.

Austrian extremist released after months held in Aghanistan