Japan sees largest ever protest in support of pacifism as Takaichi seeks to amend constitution

Large-scale protests swept across Japan on Sunday as thousands opposed prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to revise the country’s pacifist constitution. An estimated 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park,

Yen steady as intervention fears linger with Japan shut for holidays; dollar rises

The yen stabilized at the start of trading in Asia on Monday, following suspected intervention by authorities to strengthen the currency last week.
The Jakarta Post

Indonesia, Japan ink defense pact as Tokyo eases arms export restrictions

Indonesia and Japan on Monday hailed a “historic milestone” in their security relations with the signing of a new defense cooperation agreement (DCA), reaffirming their commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific amid heightened anxieties over an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
CNA

Indonesia, Japan sign defence pact after Tokyo unlocks arms exports

Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said defence cooperation with Indonesia would make a "contribution to peace and stability ... for the region as a whole" amid "an increasingly complex and tense international situation".

Australia and Japan sign agreements on energy and critical minerals

By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY, May 4 (Reuters) - Australia and Japan agreed on Monday to deepen cooperation on energy and critical minerals, as Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese during a three-day visit to the country.

Japan’s prime minister launches a panel to review her country’s defense policies as threats escalate

Japan’s prime minister has inaugurated a panel tasked with reviewing her country’s security and defense policies as tensions with China, North Korea and Russia escalate in the region.

Baggage handlers at Japan Airlines are getting new coworkers: Humanoid robots

Japan Airlines has announced (1) a partnership with a Japanese robotics company which it hopes will result in humanoid robots handling luggage and cargo. The carrier will launch a trial in May, but added it doesn't plan to have the machines putting their robo-hands on actual customer bags immediately.

Next stop – infinity! My transcendental experience on Japan’s ‘art island’ guided by its master Lee Ufan

Is this the ultimate location for contemplative art? Our writer travels to the legendary island of Naoshima – and meets the great creator of its most spellbinding works. Will he step through the arch and find nirvana?

Yen jumps as Japan takes on speculators

The yen also rose against the Singapore dollar, though it is still down 1.1 per cent to date in 2026. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.