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Japanese Defense Ministry officials say North Korea has launched a projectile that is thought to have been a ballistic missile.
They say they believe it fell into waters outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan. No damage has been reported.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North fired the projectile, thought to have been a submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM on Saturday afternoon. This would be the first time since October that North Korea has launched an SLBM.
Experts say North Korea wants to highlight its commitment to accelerating its nuclear and missile development programs ahead of the start of the administration of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Yoon is set to take office on Tuesday and hopes to strengthen his country’s alliance with the United States. He is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on May 21.
North Korea has launched ballistic missiles every month since the beginning of the year.
Japanese lawmakers tour Sado mine in push for UNESCO bid
KBS – May 07
A Japanese newspaper reported that the country’s ruling party lawmakers visited the Sado mine located on the island of Sado in Niigata Prefecture where Koreans were subject to forced labor during the colonial period.
Kishida announces new sanctions on Russia
NHK – May 06
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has announced additional sanctions on Russia, freezing the assets of about 140 more individuals, as well as more assets of Russian banks.
Russia bans entry of Japan PM, 62 others indefinitely
Nikkei – May 05
Russia said Wednesday it will ban the entry of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and many high-ranking officials for an indefinite period in a fresh round of sanctions against Japan, amid rising tensions between the two countries over the crisis in Ukraine.
Japan and Thailand sign defense, economic agreement
washingtontimes.com – May 04
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrapped up a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia Monday with an announcement of a new defense agreement with Thailand and plans to improve economic relations between the countries.
Japan still divided on revising war-renouncing Constitution: survey
Kyodo – May 02
Half the respondents in a Kyodo News survey released Monday believe Japan needs to amend the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution to clarify the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces, with the level of support almost unchanged from a year ago despite growing concerns over regional security.
Australian troops not welcome in Japan, says Okinawa governor
afr.com – Apr 29
The governor of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa says Australian Defence Force personnel are not welcome on the 150 islands he administers, as fears grow that rising tensions between China and US allies will lead to conflict in the region.
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