Japan
Follow the latest Japan news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
March 27, 2024 at 11:34 AM

A Japanese supplement pill is recalled after two people died and more than 100 were hospitalized

Health supplement products believed to have caused two deaths and sickened more than 100 people have been ordered to be taken off store shelves in Japan
March 27, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Japanese supplement pill recalled after two people died, more than 100 hospitalized
March 27, 2024 at 3:02 AM

Why is Japan changing its ban on exporting lethal weapons, and why is it so controversial?

Japan’s Cabinet OK’d a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets to other countries on Tuesday, its latest step away from the pacifist principles the country adopted at the end of World War II
March 27, 2024 at 3:02 AM
March 22, 2024 at 1:58 PM

Japanese emperor and empress visit towns hit by Jan. 1 quake and console thousands of homeless

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have visited towns in the north-central region of Noto to pray for victims of the deadly New Year’s Day earthquake and console thousands of homeless living in evacuation centers
March 22, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Japanese emperor and empress visit towns hit by Jan. 1 quake and console homeless
March 20, 2024 at 10:08 AM

Japan coast guard says seven crew from capsized South Korean tanker have been pronounced dead, out of nine found

Japan coast guard says seven crew from capsized South Korean tanker have been pronounced dead, out of nine found
March 20, 2024 at 10:08 AM
March 19, 2024 at 9:50 AM

Images taken deep inside melted Fukushima reactor show damage, but leave many questions unanswered

Images taken by miniature drones from deep inside a badly damaged reactor at the Fukushima nuclear plant show displaced control equipment and misshapen materials but leave many questions unanswered, underscoring the daunting task of decommissioning the...
March 19, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Images taken inside Fukushima reactor show damage, but leave questions unanswered
March 14, 2024 at 5:58 PM

Lower house of Japan's parliament passes bill to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, but not guarantee rights

The powerful lower house of Japan’s parliament has passed a bill to promote awareness of LGBTQ+ issues amid protests by activists who say that last-minute revisions by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s conservative party favor opponents of sexual equality...
March 14, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Japan parliament lower house passes bill to promote LGBT awareness, not ensure rights
2 months ago

Killer whale pod trapped by sea ice in Japan has seemingly escaped, local official says

A pod of killer whales, which appeared to be trapped in drift ice off the coast of Japan, has seemingly escaped, a local official told ABC News.
2 months ago
Trapped pod of orcas off Japan appears to have escaped sea ice
2 months ago

Killer whales trapped by sea ice in Japan have seemingly escaped

A pod of orcas, which appeared to be trapped in drift ice off the coast of Japan, has seemingly escaped, a local official told ABC News.
2 months ago
Killer whales trapped by sea ice in Japan have seemingly escaped
2 months ago

Challenging the norm: The fight against racial profiling in Japan’s policing

Japan’s justice system, known for pre-trial detentions and forced confessions, is facing a pivotal lawsuit against racial profiling spearheaded by a naturalized citizen.
2 months ago
Challenging the norm: The fight against racial profiling in Japan’s policing
2 months ago

Lawsuit alleges racial profiling by Japan police

The suit against the National Police Agency and local governments in Tokyo and Aichi seeks monetary damages and legal recognition that racial profiling violates Japanese law.
2 months ago
Lawsuit alleges racial profiling by Japan police
2 months ago

2 passenger planes collide at Japanese airport

Two passenger planes have collided in Hokkaido, Japan, according to Japanese media reports.
2 months ago
2 passenger planes collide at Japanese airport
2 months ago

2 planes collide at Japanese airport

Two passenger planes collided at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, in the northern part of the country, at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, according to Japanese media reports.
2 months ago
2 planes collide at Japanese airport
2 months ago

North Korea tests ballistic missile, Japan and South Korea say

The launch appeared to have been a shorter-range ballistic missile based on its flight time, officials said.
2 months ago
North Korea tests ballistic missile, Japan and South Korea say
3 months ago

Warning lights were not working on runway during plane crash in Japan: Officials

It is unclear if that contributed to the crash at Haneda Airport when a Japan Airlines plane struck a Coast Guard aircraft.
3 months ago
Warning lights were not working on runway during plane crash in Japan: Officials
3 months ago

Investigation underway into deadly crash at Tokyo airport

A passenger plane burst into flames after colliding with a small plane on the runway.
3 months ago
Investigation underway into deadly crash at Tokyo airport
3 months ago

Runway warning lights were broken at time of Japan Airlines plane fire, report shows

The warning lights telling pilots if a runway is clear were not working at the Haneda Airport the night a Japan Airlines plane caught fire, according to aviation data.
3 months ago
Runway warning lights were broken at time of Japan Airlines plane fire: Report
3 months ago

Investigation underway in deadly plane collision in Tokyo

Japan Airlines Flight 516 carrying 379 people collided with a Japanese coast guard plane on Tuesday, killing five on the coast guard jet.
3 months ago
Investigation underway in deadly plane collision in Tokyo
3 months ago

Japan Airlines plane bursts into flames at Tokyo airport with 379 people on board

A Japan Airlines plane landed while on fire at Haneda Airport on Tuesday.
3 months ago
Japan Airlines plane bursts into flames with 379 people on board
3 months ago

After fiery collision at Tokyo airport, experts warn runway incursions are rising

A commercial flight with hundreds on board erupted in flames after it struck a small plane at Haneda Airport the day after a strong earthquake struck the country.
3 months ago
After fiery collision at Tokyo airport, experts warn runway incursions are rising
3 months ago

Aftershocks rattle Japan as death toll rises after powerful earthquake

At least 55 people are dead after a massive earthquake struck the west coast Monday, according to The Associated Press.
3 months ago
Aftershocks rattle Japan as death toll rises after powerful earthquake
3 months ago

Japan Airlines plane collides with airliner on runway

A desperate search is underway after a powerful earthquake rocked the western region of Japan. ABC News’ Matt Gutman reports from Tokyo.
3 months ago
Japan Airlines plane collides with airliner on runway
3 months ago

7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Japan's coast

The race for survivors is underway as the death toll reaches 48.
3 months ago
7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Japan's coast
3 months ago

5 Japan Coast Guard crew members are dead after airport crash

Japan Airlines says 379 passengers got out safely after their plane collided with a Coast Guard plane on a runway and burst into flames.
3 months ago
5 Japan Coast Guard crew members are dead after airport crash
3 months ago

At least 8 dead after powerful earthquake strikes Japan, triggering tsunami warning

At least eight people have died after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck Japan on Monday, officials said.
3 months ago
At least 8 dead after powerful earthquake strikes Japan, triggering tsunami warning
3 months ago

Japan Airlines plane bursts into flames with 379 people on board, all escape

The flight, JL516, which was travelling from Chitose, Hokkaido, may have struck a Japan Coast Guard plane as it was landing, officials told Japanese broadcaster NHK.
3 months ago
Japan Airlines plane bursts into flames with 379 people on board, all escape
3 months ago

Massive earthquake strikes Japan, triggering tsunami warning

The magnitude 7.5 quake hit on New Year's Day, with tens of thousands facing power outages in the cold.
3 months ago
Massive earthquake strikes Japan, triggering tsunami warning
3 months ago

Eyewitness captures quake chaos at Japan train station

An eyewitness captured scenes of panic in a train station in Kanazawa city after a massive earthquake hit central Japan.
3 months ago
Eyewitness captures quake chaos at Japan train station
3 months ago

Panic, destruction seen after powerful earthquake strikes western Japan

Footage showed buildings shaking, a massive fire and crowds panicking after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan.
3 months ago
Panic, destruction seen after powerful earthquake strikes western Japan
4 months ago

US military grounds all of its V-22 Ospreys following last week's deadly crash

The U.S. military is grounding all of its Osprey V-22 aircraft in the wake of last week’s deadly U.S. Air Force crash off the coast of Japan that left eight dead.
4 months ago
Osprey aircraft grounded by US military after last week's deadly crash
4 months ago

Remains, wreckage found in search for crashed Osprey in Yakushima, Japan, US Air Force says

The CV-22 Osprey crashed near Yakushima Island, Japan, on Nov. 29, U.S. officials said.
4 months ago
Wreckage found in search for crashed Osprey in Japan, US Air Force says
4 months ago

Deadly US Air Force special operations Osprey crash off the coast of Japan

According to witnesses, the plane inverted before an engine caught fire and the aircraft plunged into the sea.
4 months ago
Deadly US Air Force special operations Osprey crash off the coast of Japan
5 months ago

Electronic wolves with glowing red eyes watch over Japanese landscapes

Monster Wolf, bearing lifelike proportions and glowing red LED eyes, stands as a guardian against wildlife, sitting at the crossroads of technology and tradition.
5 months ago
Electronic wolves with glowing red eyes watch over Japanese landscapes
7 months ago

Japan launches moon probe in hopes to be 5th country to land on lunar surface

Japan launched a rocket Wednesday night, carrying a moon probe that it hopes to land on the lunar surface and would make Japan the fifth country to reach the moon.
7 months ago
Japan launches moon probe, hopes to be 5th country to land on lunar surface
7 months ago

Japan launches moon probe in hopes to be fifth country to land on the lunar surface

Japan launched a rocket Wednesday night, carrying a moon probe that it hopes to land on the lunar surface and will make Japan the fifth country to reach the moon.
7 months ago
Japan launches moon probe in hopes to be fifth country to land on the lunar surface
7 months ago

UN nuclear watchdog greenlights Fukushima water release plan

The United Nation's nuclear watchdog has approved plans by Japan to release water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.
7 months ago
UN nuclear watchdog greenlights Fukushima water release plan
7 months ago

As Japan readies Fukushima water for Pacific release on Thursday, officials seek to calm health concerns

Japan plans to begin a decades-long process of releasing treated wastewater from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.
7 months ago
Japan readies Fukushima water for Pacific release on Thursday
7 months ago

Japan begins releasing Fukushima's treated radioactive water into Pacific, prompting strong rebuke from China

Executives of the company, known as TECPCO, told reporters they would immediately halt the release of the treated water into the Pacific if any issues were detected.
7 months ago
Japan begins releasing Fukushima's treated radioactive water into Pacific
7 months ago

What is the impact of the Fukushima nuclear plant wastewater discharge?

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant began dumping radioactive wastewater into the ocean on Aug. 24 for the first time since the 2011 nuclear meltdown. The impact remains to be seen.
7 months ago
What is the impact of the Fukushima nuclear plant wastewater discharge?
7 months ago

Biden holds milestone summit with Japan and South Korea

The president's historic summit in Camp David is where Japan and South Korea agreed to expand security and economic ties.
7 months ago
Biden holds milestone summit with Japan and South Korea
7 months ago

Biden holds landmark trilateral meeting with Japanese, Korean leaders

ABC News’ Selina Wang is at Camp David where President Joe Biden is set to hold a trilateral meeting with Japanese and South Korean leaders.
7 months ago
Biden holds landmark trilateral meeting with Japanese, Korean leaders
9 months ago

Tokyo smile coach teaches people how to get back their grins in a post-pandemic world

Keiko Kawano believes that opportunities to smile have declined due to prolonged mask wearing. As a result, she says, some people have lost confidence in their smiles.
9 months ago
Smile coach teaches how to get grins back after pandemic
9 months ago

Fukushima water release plan approved by UN watchdog

The wastewater is being stored in about 1,000 tanks at the now-defunct Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.
9 months ago
Fukushima water release plan approved by UN watchdog
1 year ago

Explosive attack on Japan's prime minister

An attacker targeted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with an explosive device, nine months after a former prime minister was assassinated during a speech.
1 year ago
Explosive attack on Japan's prime minister
1 year ago

Japan's prime minister unharmed after explosion

A 24-year-old man has been arrested after an explosion during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's campaign event in western Japan.
1 year ago
Japan's prime minister unharmed after explosion
1 year ago

Japanese PM Kishida to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine

A Japanese prime minister has not visited an active combat zone since WWII.
1 year ago
Japanese PM Kishida to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine
1 year ago

US professional skier killed in avalanche in Japan

Kyle Smaine, a U.S. professional skier, died Sunday in an avalanche in Japan, his family said.
1 year ago
US professional skier killed in avalanche in Japan
1 year ago

Strong earthquake hits Japan, at least 97 injured and 4 deaths reported

A strong earthquake was felt in Japan, occurring off the coast from Fukushima.
1 year ago
Strong earthquake hits Japan, at least 97 injured and 4 deaths reported
2 years ago

Japan holds state funeral for Shinzo Abe as protesters line the streets

Controversy erupts over former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's funeral set for Tuesday.
2 years ago
Japan holds state funeral for Shinzo Abe as protesters line the streets
2 years ago

Japan to end pre-departure COVID tests for fully vaccinated tourists in September

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Wednesday the country will end a pre-departure COVID-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated travelers Sept. 7.
2 years ago
This country is ending negative COVID test requirement for vaccinated tourists
2 years ago

Tokyo crowds mourn former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Crowds gathered on Tuesday to pay respects and lay flowers near former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's private funeral at Zojoji temple in Tokyo.
2 years ago
Tokyo crowds mourn former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe