East Asia
AsiaThe latest on East Asia from our Asia desk.
Japan’s Culinary Traditions Struggle Despite First Living Treasures
Japan has recommended Kyoto chef Eiichi Takahashi, 87, and sake brewer Naohiko Noguchi, 93, as its first living national treasures in traditional cuisine. Officials and industry groups say aging membership and a shrinking population threaten who will carry the crafts forward.
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Did Japan Warn Israel Plans to Nuke US Cities? No Evidence Found
A viral claim says Japanese intelligence uncovered an Israeli plot to detonate dirty bombs in two US cities before Christmas and blame Iran. A fact-check found no credible evidence. It traced the story to a website with a record of false reports and a fake CNN headline.
China Eyes South China Sea Control to Deter US in Taiwan Attack
A Japanese Defense Ministry think tank said Friday that China is prioritizing control of the South China Sea to deter U.S. intervention in a Taiwan invasion. The National Institute for Defense Studies urged closer Japan-ASEAN cooperation on defense equipment and technology.
Japanese Journalist Yuki Imai’s Release Nowhere in Sight in Russia
A month after Russia detained Hokkaido Shimbun reporter Yuki Imai on spying allegations, Tokyo reports no progress toward his release. Moscow is taking a tougher line on Japan, and his detention period runs to December 12 unless it is extended.
Airman Benjamin Harrison Heads to Japan Fighter Squadron
Navy Airman Benjamin Harrison, a May graduate of Wellington High School, will join Strike Fighter Squadron 195 in Iwakuni, Japan, after technical and career training in Pensacola. He credits school band for his teamwork ethic and his grandparents' service for his path.
Yttrium Prices Soar 174-Fold as China Curbs Rare Earth Exports
Yttrium prices soared 174-fold in Europe, reaching $1,087 per kilogram in September compared with late 2024, as China restricts rare earth exports. Japanese manufacturers face shortages and rising costs, though finished-product supplies have so far held.
Nissan Cuts Petrol Car Output in China as EV Sales Surge
Nissan has cut its 2026 sales forecast to between 2.97m and 3m cars and will build fewer petrol cars in China, where electric and hybrid sales are climbing fast amid a price war. Chief executive Ivan Espinosa called the market "very, very harsh."
Yokosuka Naval Base: Possible Mpox Exposure Closes Bowling Center
A possible mpox exposure closes the bowling center at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, home of the U.S. 7th Fleet. A visiting sailor with symptoms had been there on Nov. 4. Two cases are confirmed aboard the ship, and none on the base.
Japan Doctors Urged to Stop Calling Births “Abnormal Delivery
The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology has asked doctors to stop labeling births 'normal' or 'abnormal' when speaking to mothers. The health ministry has already changed its wording in benefit notices and plans to ask private insurers to follow.
BYD Tang SUV Wheels Reversed: Carmaker Apologizes to Owners
BYD, the world's biggest maker of electric cars, has apologized after fitting front and rear wheels the wrong way round on some Great Tang SUVs built this year. The company says there is no safety risk and is offering owners replacements and restarted warranties.
Japan’s Military Planners Find Time Constraint in Crisis Decisions
A 2022 wargame exposed how assumptions about Japan’s authority to grant emergency access to private land could narrow U.S. forces’ options before a missile attack. The episode points to a planning challenge: test legal and administrative procedures without assuming what Japan’s government would decide in a crisis.
Japan’s History Views Draw Criticism Over TV Drama and War Sites
Japanese critics say the television drama Vivant and omissions at historical sites risk weakening public understanding of Japan’s wartime aggression. The debate has intensified as the series moves toward a nationwide film release next month and continues commercial promotions.
South Korean City Adopts “Great Books” Model as AI Spreads in Schools
Chuncheon, a South Korean city about 50 miles east of Seoul, has partnered with St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., to bring its Great Books teaching model to local schools. Officials and educators say students need to think independently as AI chatbots spread in classrooms.
Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Japan, Injuring at Least 22
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026, shattering store windows and injuring at least 22 people. Officials warned of possible strong aftershocks over the next two to three days and of mudslides and falling rocks.
Japan and Vietnam Agree to Boost Critical Minerals Cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam agreed in Tokyo to speed up public-private work on critical minerals. Their joint statement also covers energy projects, nuclear power and defense equipment, as Japan seeks closer ties amid Chinese pressure.
Art Week Tokyo: Record 56 Venues in Bigger International Art Week
Art Week Tokyo's fifth edition drew a record 56 participating venues and museum delegations from New York, Munich and Luxembourg. Organizers said VIP registrations rose about 36 percent over 2025, as Japan's contemporary art scene widens its international reach.
Japan Officials Amend American Troop Orientation After Marine Case
Japan and the United States will expand education and launch a new orientation program for U.S. troops in Okinawa after a Marine was indicted over the robbery and murder of a 39-year-old woman. Okinawa's governor wants a fundamental review of the Status of Forces Agreement.
Shanghai Centre Opens With 300 Staff for China
Audi and its Chinese partner SAIC have opened an engineering hub in Shanghai for the China-exclusive AUDI brand. The centre has around 300 employees and will work on driver assistance and in-cabin artificial intelligence, according to the companies.
Turkish and Japanese Microdrama Makers Say Emotion and Villains Hook Viewers
Microdrama makers from Turkey and Japan told the Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei how they win viewers in crowded mobile feeds. Turkey's İki Dakika stresses emotional recognition, while Japan's Bump relies on infuriating villains and a fast-moving first episode.
Hansen’s Disease Survivor, 82, Resumes Storytelling at Japan Museum
Four elderly residents of a sanatorium in Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture, have resumed museum storytelling sessions after a decade-long pause. Satoshi Kasai, 82, says he now feels able to speak openly about the prejudice he faced as a patient with Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy.
Kyodo News Digest Nov. 9: Quake Hits Central Japan, 20+ Hurt
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake injured more than 20 people in Aichi and Shizuoka, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi renewed her abduction pledge, and Kao Miura reached the Grand Prix Final. Here are the main Japan stories in the Kyodo News Digest Nov. 9.