Mastodawn

The Japanese government on Monday dismissed a claim by the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. that Tokyo had committed to sending naval ships to the Middle East amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/23/japan/us-waltz-iran-japan-msdf/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #us #usjapanrelations #donaldtrump #iran #middleeast #sdf #defense #sanaetakaichi #mikewaltz

Japan denies U.S. official’s claim Takaichi pledged to send MSDF to Mideast

The government's top spokesman denied the claim by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had committed to sending vessels to the region.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 18h ago

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was praised for her handling of U.S. President Donald Trump in her first visit to Washington as Japanese leader, but challenges remain regarding U.S. and Japanese relations with China. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/23/japan/politics/trump-takaichi-summit-china/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #china #sanaetakaichi #xijinping #donaldtrump #chinajapanrelations #usjapanrelations

Takaichi weathers Trump, but China challenges linger

In her meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured what appeared to be an endorsement of her approach to the Sino-Japanese relationship.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 2d ago

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Arlington National Cemetery near Washington on Friday morning and laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/21/japan/takaichi-arlington-cemetary/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #us #sanaetakachi #usjapanrelations

Takaichi lays flowers at Arlington National Cemetery

It is customary for Japanese prime ministers to lay flowers at the cemetery during visits to Washington.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 2d ago

A U.S.-led defense manufacturing partnership agreed ⁠to launch a new missile motor production program with Japan and push forward a drone cooperation effort across Asia, the Pentagon said on Friday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/21/asia-pacific/politics/us-defense-buildup-asia-flashpoints/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #usjapanrelations #drones #defense

U.S. and allies move to build missiles and drones closer to Asia's flashpoints

A U.S.-led defense manufacturing partnership said it had ‌agreed to set up a new program to produce solid rocket motors, with Japan taking the lead.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 3d ago

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reportedly said Tehran is prepared to temporarily lift its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to allow Japanese-related ships to transit the crucial waterway. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/21/japan/japan-iran-hormuz-trump/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #iran #middleeast #oil #donaldtrump #iranjapanrelations #sanaetakaichi #sdf #usjapanrelations

Iran prepared to let Japanese ships transit Hormuz, FM says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks have already begun on the issue, as U.S. President Donald Trump again called for help from Tokyo and others in the key waterway.

The Japan Times