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An anti-war protest in Toyko, Japan. (Photo: Akinori Gomi)
Militarization

Protests Sweep Japan to as Right-Wing Government Pushes for Further Militarization

Militarization Of U.S.’ Asian Allies A Boon For Top U.S. Weapon Manufacturers

Japan and Taiwan are helping to advance the U.S.’ ultimate goal of “engaging and containing” Beijing with larger purchases of arms. This growing militarization is lining the already deep pockets of U.S. arms manufacturers like Raytheon and Boeing.

Soldiers on a AAV7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle communicate during military exercises at the Zuoying naval base in Kaohsiung, southern of Taiwan, Wednesday, January 18, 2017. (AP/Chiang Ying-ying)

MINNEAPOLIS-- Last week, Taiwan issued a rare public comment announcing its plans to continue buying U.S.-made weapons, stating that the purchases are helping to boost the U.S. economy. The Taiwanese government elaborated, stating that its military purchases “have boosted the local economy” of several states, but particularly benefited the U.S.’

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The End Of Japan’s Policy Of Pacifism

Japan has long depended on the U.S. to protect it militarily, as its own armed forces were virtually eliminated in the wake of World War II. But a new push for the end of Japanese pacifism is under way, with the U.S. military-industrial complex set to profit from the expansion of Japan’s military.

A member of Japan Self-Defense Force stands by an American Patriot missile unit deployed against the North Korea's missile firing, at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Since taking office in 2012, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has caused a furor in the nation over his push for a stronger military that would be free from the shackles of Japan’s pacifist constitution. While Abe is technically responsible for the remilitarization of Japan, he may simply be a pawn in the U.S.-Japanese “strategic relationship” in

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Japan Pledges $78 Million In Aid To Palestine

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the pledge during a four day visit to Japan by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prior to their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. (Franck Robichon/AP)

Ramallah, Palestine – Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, announced that the Government of Japan has committed Japan’s new assistance of USD $78,210,200 to the Palestinian people through international organizations and Japanese NGOs, on the occasion of his meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on 15 th February in Tokyo,

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US Tries To Reassure Japan After Wikileaks Reveal Spying On Japanese Government And Businesses

Abe had expressed deep concern about the documents WikiLeaks published last week, and vowed to bring up the issue with the U.S.

WASHINGTON  — Working to prevent tension with a treaty ally, Vice President Joe Biden reassured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday that the U.S. limits its surveillance of friendly nations, after leaked documents showed U.S. spying on Japanese officials and companies. Abe had expressed deep concern about the documents WikiLeaks

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Asia Leaders Join Sochi As Obama, Others Stay Away

TOKYO (AP) — When top Western leaders decided to stay away from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Winter Olympics, he wasn’t exactly left friendless: he has the heads of leading Asian nations and others to help show the world that not everyone is put off by his human rights record and the anti-gay law he championed. […]

TOKYO (AP) — When top Western leaders decided to stay away from Russian President Vladimir Putin's Winter Olympics, he wasn't exactly left friendless: he has the heads of leading Asian nations and others to help show the world that not everyone is put off by his human rights record and the anti-gay law he championed. Unlike President Barack

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Japanese PM Tries To Put Lid On Bad PR Over Nuclear Crisis

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s efforts come amid new revelations that the Japanese government and TEPCO ignored warnings to protect their bottom-line.

Should the recent words of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe be seen as a renewed effort to take control of the Fukushima nuclear crisis, or a cynical ploy to insulate the nuclear industry and government from increasingly bad publicity amid the country's bid to host the upcoming Olympic games? Abe stepped up his public relations blitz Thursday,

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