Japan

How America misunderstood Iran’s monarchy - and the Pahlavi legacy - opinion

Western views of monarchy often overlook Iran’s unique history, where kingship has long been tied to national unity and cultural identity.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visits Hezbollah's office in Tehran, Iran, October 1, 2024.
Aselsan display a model of TCG Istanbul (F-515) Istanbul-class frigate during the UDT, Undersea Defence Technology 2026 at ExCel London on April 14, 2026 in London, England.

Washington eyes foreign warships from Japan, South Korea, Turkey amid China naval threat

General view of the Japanese Foreign Ministry is seen August 1, 2003 in Tokyo, Japan; Illustrative.

Japan lowers travel advisory level for Israel after dialogue between Sa'ar, Japanese counterpart

FILE PHOTO:  A missile is fired during a test-fire of strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, North Korea, April 12, 2026, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), April 14, 2026.

North Korea threatens with 'countermeasures' as US, Japan, South Korea hold joint military drill


Asia is most affected continent by Strait of Hormuz closure, with 80% of Gulf energy imports

A New York Times report revealed that Asian countries are entering an energy crisis due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while Western nations will feel the economic effects of the war.

Asia will be the most affected continent by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan could consider Hormuz minesweeping if ceasefire reached, foreign minister says

Japan says it may deploy forces for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire is reached, as oil route tensions persist.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi makes a speech in Tokyo's parliament, February 20, 2026.

Iran said ready to allow Japanese vessels through Strait of Hormuz

Japan gets around 90% of its oil shipments via the strait, which Tehran has largely closed during the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026.

A golden age of diplomacy: A thing of the past? - comment

Whether the shift in diplomatic tone and practice was inevitable or whether we’ve reached a tipping point, only time will tell. But what’s clear is that the world will never be the same.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks at her watch during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, March 19, 2026.

Trump, Japanese PM discuss Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, Trump says 'not putting troops anywhere'

Takaichi told Trump she had "brought specific proposals to calm down the global energy market" and said Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

US President Donald Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 19, 2026.

Japan weighs Hormuz escort role as Trump request tests legal limits - explainer

Trump’s call to escort tankers through Hormuz is testing how far pacifist Japan can go, as legal limits and past precedents shape Tokyo’s response.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on March 18, 2026.

Allies hold back on Hormuz mission as Trump urges coalition amid Iran war turmoil

"I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their territory," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way from Florida to Washington.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on a flight back to Washington March 15, 2026.

Global powers release oil reserves as Iran war threatens Strait of Hormuz supply

IEA member states approved the release of 400 million barrels from strategic oil reserves to mitigate the impact of a potential Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Callisto tanker sits anchored as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 10, 2026.

Punch the baby macaque opens up to troop mates

Sanctuary caregivers report the orphaned macaque now spends more time with peers than with his comfort toy

A baby Japanese macaque named Punch sits next to a stuffed orangutan at Ichikawa City Zoo, in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, February 19, 2026.

One Piece creator writes down series’ ultimate secret, sends it to the bottom of the sea

First serialized in 1997, One Piece has sold more than 600 million copies globally

The secret of One Piece.