Is this election really unpredictable?

Despite media uncertainty, opposition weaknesses and recent polls suggest Takaichi and the LDP are likely headed for a strong victory.

The Japan Times
Since late last year, some Japanese officials have been discreetly urging fishermen around the Senkaku Islands — known as the Diaoyu in China — to steer clear of them to avoid escalating a diplomatic clash with Beijing. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/03/japan/china-senkaku-fishermen/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #senkakus #disputedislands #chinajapanrelations #okinawa #ishigaki #japancoastguard #eastchinasea
Fearing clash with China, Japan asks fishermen to avoid flash point islands

The requests signal an abrupt shift after years in which Tokyo tacitly accepted such trips.

The Japan Times
China coast guard patrolled Japan-held islands almost daily last year

China's coast guard patrolled the islands for 357 days last year, coast guard ‌head Zhang Jianming said.

The Japan Times
Japanese and Chinese vessels engaged in a fresh standoff near the disputed Senkaku Islands on Tuesday, the two countries' coast guards have said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/02/japan/politics/china-ships-territorial-waters/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #senkakus #china #chinajapanrelations #japancoastguard
Japan Coast Guard reports standoff with Chinese vessels near Senkaku Islands

Relations have been strained since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that Japan could intervene militarily in a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

The Japan Times
A new facility has opened at the National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, aiming to help visitors to learn about Japan's territory through immersive video presentations. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/16/japan/territory-museum-open/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #tokyo #china #korea #museums #senkakus #takeshima #disputedislands
New facility opens at Japan's territory museum

The 300-square-meter facility, called gateway hall, also has a library housing related books.

The Japan Times
The Japanese government will put on display records showing that China had historically recognized the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture as islands outside its territory. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/07/japan/senkakus-records-display/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #senkakus #china #chinajapanrelations
Japan to display past Chinese records on Senkaku Islands

Some of the records will be displayed on exhibition panels at the National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty in Tokyo.

The Japan Times
Defense chief Shijiro Koizumi used a series of meetings during a regional summit to push for deepened cooperation with partners while expressing concern to his Chinese counterpart over military moves near Japan. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/02/japan/politics/koizumi-defense-ministers-china-asean/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #shinjirokoizumi #defense #defenseministry #china #chinajapanrelations #pla #eastchinasea #senkakus #budgets #sdf
Koizumi builds ties with partners and airs concerns with China defense chief

The defense minister also said that Tokyo had 'identified a concrete demand' for Japanese defense gear from a number of countries.

The Japan Times
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces on Thursday spotted for the first time China’s biggest and most advanced aircraft carrier, Fujian, as the vessel sailed in the East China Sea. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/12/japan/china-biggest-carrier-spotted-in-east-china-sea/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #chinajapanrelations #china #fujian #senkakus #aircraftcarriers #sdf
SDF spots China’s biggest aircraft carrier for first time

The Fujian, which has a displacement of more than 80,000 metric tons, was spotted in the East China Sea on Thursday.

The Japan Times
The Japan Coast Guard is struggling to secure enough personnel as it sees an expansion of its duties, including territorial sea patrols around the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/12/japan/japan-coast-guard-facing-staffing-difficulties/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #japancoastguard #senkakus #eastchinasea #jobs
Staffing difficulties leave Japan Coast Guard stretched

Applications for officer posts have fallen, while turnover has increased, especially among younger members.

The Japan Times