The Japan Times2h ago
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has indicated that the United States will respect its trade agreements with Japan and the European Union regarding Washington's plan to impose additional tariffs. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/06/05/economy/us-japan-eu-tariffs/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #trade #us #usjapanrelations #tariffs #japaneseeconomy #eu
U.S. will respect trade deals with Japan, EU over new tariffs

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says that the U.S. understands that a deal is a deal.

The Japan Times
The Japan Times4h ago
The Japanese and U.S. governments have announced a five-year plan to jointly provide $1 billion for the development of scientific technologies using artificial intelligence. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/05/japan/japan-us-ai-cooperation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #us #usjapanrelations #ai #tech #donaldtrump
Japan and U.S. to collaborate on AI-driven scientific development

The move is part of a U.S. national project called Genesis Mission, and Japan is the first country to cooperate.

The Japan Times
The Japan Times1d ago
Japan is strengthening its defense capabilities in response to regional threats and U.S. expectations, but uncertainty over U.S. commitment, domestic politics and fiscal limits clouds its long-term security path. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/06/03/japan/golden-age-for-japan-us-relations/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #us #usjapanrelations #defense #sanaetakaichi #donaldtrump #satsukikatayama #petehegseth #shangriladialogue
A ‘Golden Age’ for Japan-U.S. relations? Not quite.

Calls for increased defense spending are one thing; doubts about America's commitment to the security alliance are another.

The Japan Times
The Japan Times6d ago
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have agreed to accelerate the joint production of advanced missile systems, amid growing concerns over Chinese military assertiveness. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/30/japan/us-japan-hegseth-koizumi-missiles/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #usjapanrelations #defense #petehegseth #shinjirokoizumi #china #missiles #sdf #defenseministry #budgets
U.S. and Japan defense chiefs agree to accelerate missile coproduction

A key focus of the meeting was a Japanese proposal known as 'Operation Supercharge,' designed to accelerate joint development and mass production of advanced missile systems.

The Japan Times
The Japan Times6d ago
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a veiled warning to Tokyo on Saturday, saying that while Japanese defense spending was "headed in the right direction," more must be done. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/30/japan/us-defense-spending-hegseth-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #us #china #donaldtrump #uschinarelations #usjapanrelations #shinjirokoizumi #defense #budgets
Hegseth hints Japan must ramp up defense spending even more

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has delivered a veiled warning to Tokyo, saying that while Japanese defense spending was 'headed in the right direction,' more must be done.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 28
U.S. defense industrial bottlenecks are slowing weapons production and undermining allied modernization efforts, driving renewed focus on coordinated Indo-Pacific defense cooperation with Japan playing a central role. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/05/28/japan/indo-pacific-military-industrial-coordination/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #usjapanrelations #indopacific #us #arms #defense #tomahawks #cruisemissiles #patriotinterceptors #atacms
Indo-Pacific deterrence rests on allied industrial coordination

The decline of the U.S. defense industrial base is not a new story, but it has assumed new urgency with the Iran war.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 28
From reality-show underdogs to one of Japan's most talked-about new acts, Hana's first year has already included chart-topping hits, opening a first-of-its-kind music festival and a nationwide tour. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2026/05/28/music/hana-zipangu-j-pop/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #zipangu #jpop #musicfestivals #usjapanrelations #us #losangeles #california
Girl group Hana channels positivity into every performance

Before joining Hana, the group's members were told 'no' by the entertainment industry. Now they're part of one of Japan's most talked-about new acts.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 28
From punk rock to ambient hip-hop to neo-idol pop, California music festival Zipangu made a case for Japanese music's global appeal beyond one sound — or one fandom. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2026/05/28/music/j-pop-festival-zipangu/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #culture #music #zipangu #jpop #ado #musicfestivals #usjapanrelations #us #losangeles #california
Music festival Zipangu offers a glimpse of J-pop’s future beyond anime

Ado, Chanmina, Atarashii Gakko!, Yuki Chiba and more turned a Pasadena golf course into a showcase for the breadth of Japanese music and its growing appeal abroad.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 24
Amid the war in Iran, the U.S. has informed Japan that there would be delays in the delivery of the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to the Japanese side, according to a Financial Times report. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/24/japan/tomahawk-missile-delivery-delay/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #tomahawk #msdf #us #defense #usjapanrelations #petehegseth #shinjirokoizumi #missiles
U.S. informs Japan of Tomahawk missile delivery delays: report

The Japanese government has signed a contract with the U.S. government to acquire up to 400 Tomahawk missiles between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2027.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 23
Police in Okinawa Prefecture have sent papers to prosecutors on a U.S. Army soldier in his 20s for allegedly sexually assaulting an adult female acquaintance and causing injury. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/23/japan/crime-legal/us-soldier-japan-sexual-assault/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #crimelegal #usjapanrelations #usmilitary #usbases #sexcrimes #okinawa
U.S. soldier in Japan sent to prosecutors over sexual assault

The U.S. Army solider was referred to prosecutors on charges including nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury.

The Japan Times