Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits. &nbsp;

Such a substantive and secured relationship should, however, be constantly emboldened with the changing nature of national growth and developmental planning. It should go in parallel with national security thinking, especially factoring in new-age technologies and changing geopolitics. India-Japan relations must also imbibe and secure their relationship with innovative ideas while keeping it parallel to their domestic developmental discourse. &nbsp;

Under Shinzo Abe, Japan’s strategic reorientation in Asia is enduring constant change. This strategic reorientation holds significant implications for most countries, including India, at a time when Japan has moved to “Reiwa” era from its traditional “Hensei” era. “Reiwa” era complements Abe’s nationalist foreign policy, rebuking the Chinese traditional link with the Japanese system. In other words, Japan under Abe and its future leaderships is expected to employ a more autonomist, self-assured and pro-active foreign policy that is central to its quest to regain its lost glory. India should perceive this positively as it boosts a multipolar Asian power structure. &nbsp;

As the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, Abe has inculcated an India legacy under his leadership. It was Abe’s 2007 speech in the Indian Parliament on “Confluence of the Two Seas” that set the tone for the present Indo-Pacific undercurrents. Abe’s arrival for a third term as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2014-2017 coincided with the arrival of parallelly strong leadership in New Delhi with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, translating into a ‘leadership friendship’ framework that has deeply guided their relationship. More importantly, they have begun revitalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific narrative. &nbsp;

Abe is also pursuing a more independent spectrum of security thinking. If not entirely a departure from its past “alliance structure” framework of international posturing with the United States, Tokyo’s attempt is to explore a new spectrum of security alignments through a fresh mode of policies and partnerships, including India in regional affairs. Japan’s vision of a harmonious regional order that Abe’s nationalist foreign policy is trying to emphasise through its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocacy complements India’s nuanced Indo-Pacific outlook. Maintaining strategic restraint has become principal to strengthen national security and defence posturing and rebuilding ties with China is an important part of it. This further adds to India’s ‘inclusive’ Indo-Pacific construct that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching to promote stable relations with Beijing. &nbsp;

Likewise, Indian foreign policy is currently boosting a new level of confidence with Tokyo. The recent two-plus-two ministerial dialogue has certainly enhanced their strategic and economic strides. India under Modi 2.0 is set to overtake the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy in nominal terms and is positioned to overtake Japan by 2025 to become the second-largest economy in Asia-Pacific. India’s national narrative has imbibed a nationalist character – focusing on economic growth and technological progression with schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Aayushman Bharat’. Such schemes must encourage the participation of Japan as a serious and longstanding partner, especially in the field of technology. &nbsp;

Technology was, in fact, a focal point during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Tokyo in September 2019. While defence ties are on the upswing, the field of technology too offers a plethora of convergences. Aside from some joint projects (of which the Delhi Metro network, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are few potent examples) and the acquisitions of Indian companies like Camlin by Japanese businesses, the technology business-business cooperation is still very low. &nbsp;

Past ventures between Japan and India however, albeit less, have been extremely successful like Maruti Suzuki’s dominance in Indian automobile sector and the planned undersea cable from Chennai to Andaman-Nicobar. The 2018 technology partnership between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is focused on major research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and may further expand to 5G and robotics. 5G happens to be a potential key area of facilitation between the two and something that could be a focal point of cooperation. India plans on being an early adopter of 5G technology and Japanese aid could facilitate the same. &nbsp;

Another possible avenue of discussion should be the Osaka Track, a policy proposal by Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit in 2019 that calls for the creation of international guidelines and rules for free movement of data beyond country lines. However, there exists some friction with India seriously considering data localisation through legislative action and refusing to sign the statement affirming the Track. In an otherwise untarnished, uncomplicated and decades-old relationship, it is important for Japan to accommodate and resolve such issues, particularly at a time when both countries are looking for a greater international partnership, including renegotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to board India as a free-trading regional partner. Japan’s willingness not to exclude India from the RCEP is a testimony of this strengthened partnership. Further, a refreshed theory in multilateral cooperation vis-à-vis infrastructural and economic growth is called for. A renewed outlook by Japan, in lieu of Asian Development Bank (ADB), to become a member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be beneficial in improving India-Japan bilateral ties and regional cooperation, given that India is a founding member of the AIIB.&nbsp;

With India’s defence procurement getting versatile, the recently concluded inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue signals a new opportunity for Japan to explore the Indian domestic defence market afresh. Tokyo on its part hopes to enter the global arms market by leaving behind its self-imposed 1967 Arms Export ban, otherwise known as the Three Principles Exports Ban. The rebirth of the Japanese defence industry can only be possible via arms trade. &nbsp;

The negotiations over the logistics pact, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which will allow access to bases of the Indian Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has brought the requisite confidence aided by the successful maritime exercises. Concrete talk on the Japanese amphibian aircraft, ShinMaywa US-2i and the recent cooperative understanding between India’s Mahindra Defence and ShinMaywa Industries Limited of Japan over the same is setting a new benchmark on technology transfer cooperation. Also, defence technology sharing is increasing between Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistical Agency (ATLA) and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the charged Indo-Pacific geopolitical scenario, Modi and Abe have set an ideal example of using personal chemistry to forward mutually advantageous policy outlooks. It does require some reworking – their partnership must be restructured beyond the excessive US-centred Indo-Pacific framework, and the current US-China and South Korea-Japan tension must encourage them to realise their respective national strength to nurture a partnership that is independent of alliance-alignment politics. Their mutual appreciation as ‘natural partners’ must imbibe national developmental patterns, with a focus on technological collaboration. Both must realise the virtual reality and new possibilities offered by information technology to capitalise on them collaboratively. It is not difficult to realise that the world will live in an age of information technology rather than in&nbsp;age of the Indo-Pacific that is often made out to be the capital of India-Japan partnership. &nbsp;

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits.

Not many relationships in Asia have influenced the Indo-Pacific undercurrents as much as India-Japan relations have in recent times. If the annual leadership summits strengthened their political narrative, the recently concluded two-plus-two ministerial dialogue brought strategic substance, strengthening the narrative that both have been nurturing with frequent dialogues, official mechanisms and visits. Such a substantive and secured relationship should, however, be constantly emboldened with the changing nature of national growth and developmental planning. It should go in parallel with national security thinking, especially factoring in new-age technologies and changing geopolitics. India-Japan relations must also imbibe and secure their relationship with innovative ideas while keeping it parallel to their domestic developmental discourse. Under Shinzo Abe, Japan’s strategic reorientation in Asia is enduring constant change. This strategic reorientation holds significant implications for most countries, including India, at a time when Japan has moved to “Reiwa” era from its traditional “Hensei” era. “Reiwa” era complements Abe’s nationalist foreign policy, rebuking the Chinese traditional link with the Japanese system. In other words, Japan under Abe and its future leaderships is expected to employ a more autonomist, self-assured and pro-active foreign policy that is central to its quest to regain its lost glory. India should perceive this positively as it boosts a multipolar Asian power structure. As the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, Abe has inculcated an India legacy under his leadership. It was Abe’s 2007 speech in the Indian Parliament on “Confluence of the Two Seas” that set the tone for the present Indo-Pacific undercurrents. Abe’s arrival for a third term as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2014-2017 coincided with the arrival of parallelly strong leadership in New Delhi with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, translating into a ‘leadership friendship’ framework that has deeply guided their relationship. More importantly, they have begun revitalising the Quad in the Indo-Pacific narrative. Abe is also pursuing a more independent spectrum of security thinking. If not entirely a departure from its past “alliance structure” framework of international posturing with the United States, Tokyo’s attempt is to explore a new spectrum of security alignments through a fresh mode of policies and partnerships, including India in regional affairs. Japan’s vision of a harmonious regional order that Abe’s nationalist foreign policy is trying to emphasise through its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” advocacy complements India’s nuanced Indo-Pacific outlook. Maintaining strategic restraint has become principal to strengthen national security and defence posturing and rebuilding ties with China is an important part of it. This further adds to India’s ‘inclusive’ Indo-Pacific construct that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pitching to promote stable relations with Beijing. Likewise, Indian foreign policy is currently boosting a new level of confidence with Tokyo. The recent two-plus-two ministerial dialogue has certainly enhanced their strategic and economic strides. India under Modi 2.0 is set to overtake the United Kingdom as the fifth largest global economy in nominal terms and is positioned to overtake Japan by 2025 to become the second-largest economy in Asia-Pacific. India’s national narrative has imbibed a nationalist character – focusing on economic growth and technological progression with schemes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Aayushman Bharat’. Such schemes must encourage the participation of Japan as a serious and longstanding partner, especially in the field of technology. Technology was, in fact, a focal point during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Tokyo in September 2019. While defence ties are on the upswing, the field of technology too offers a plethora of convergences. Aside from some joint projects (of which the Delhi Metro network, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project, and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are few potent examples) and the acquisitions of Indian companies like Camlin by Japanese businesses, the technology business-business cooperation is still very low. Past ventures between Japan and India however, albeit less, have been extremely successful like Maruti Suzuki’s dominance in Indian automobile sector and the planned undersea cable from Chennai to Andaman-Nicobar. The 2018 technology partnership between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, is focused on major research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and may further expand to 5G and robotics. 5G happens to be a potential key area of facilitation between the two and something that could be a focal point of cooperation. India plans on being an early adopter of 5G technology and Japanese aid could facilitate the same. Another possible avenue of discussion should be the Osaka Track, a policy proposal by Shinzo Abe at the G-20 summit in 2019 that calls for the creation of international guidelines and rules for free movement of data beyond country lines. However, there exists some friction with India seriously considering data localisation through legislative action and refusing to sign the statement affirming the Track. In an otherwise untarnished, uncomplicated and decades-old relationship, it is important for Japan to accommodate and resolve such issues, particularly at a time when both countries are looking for a greater international partnership, including renegotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to board India as a free-trading regional partner. Japan’s willingness not to exclude India from the RCEP is a testimony of this strengthened partnership. Further, a refreshed theory in multilateral cooperation vis-à-vis infrastructural and economic growth is called for. A renewed outlook by Japan, in lieu of Asian Development Bank (ADB), to become a member of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) can be beneficial in improving India-Japan bilateral ties and regional cooperation, given that India is a founding member of the AIIB. With India’s defence procurement getting versatile, the recently concluded inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue signals a new opportunity for Japan to explore the Indian domestic defence market afresh. Tokyo on its part hopes to enter the global arms market by leaving behind its self-imposed 1967 Arms Export ban, otherwise known as the Three Principles Exports Ban. The rebirth of the Japanese defence industry can only be possible via arms trade. The negotiations over the logistics pact, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which will allow access to bases of the Indian Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), has brought the requisite confidence aided by the successful maritime exercises. Concrete talk on the Japanese amphibian aircraft, ShinMaywa US-2i and the recent cooperative understanding between India’s Mahindra Defence and ShinMaywa Industries Limited of Japan over the same is setting a new benchmark on technology transfer cooperation. Also, defence technology sharing is increasing between Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistical Agency (ATLA) and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). In the charged Indo-Pacific geopolitical scenario, Modi and Abe have set an ideal example of using personal chemistry to forward mutually advantageous policy outlooks. It does require some reworking – their partnership must be restructured beyond the excessive US-centred Indo-Pacific framework, and the current US-China and South Korea-Japan tension must encourage them to realise their respective national strength to nurture a partnership that is independent of alliance-alignment politics. Their mutual appreciation as ‘natural partners’ must imbibe national developmental patterns, with a focus on technological collaboration. Both must realise the virtual reality and new possibilities offered by information technology to capitalise on them collaboratively. It is not difficult to realise that the world will live in an age of information technology rather than in age of the Indo-Pacific that is often made out to be the capital of India-Japan partnership. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

National narratives guiding India-Japan ties

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reacted to reports of the postponement of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japanese-pm-shinzo-abes-visit-to-india-postponed-268081">Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India</a>.

"It will be a blot on our country," Banerjee said.

The external affairs ministry on Friday confirmed that Abe's visit to India has been postponed and will take place later on a mutually convenient date.

According to reports, Abe's visit was to take place in India's Northeast region. The northeast has been rocked by massive protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on India, Japan defer Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to mutually convenient date in near future: It will be a blot on our country. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/hTkzPPtiCC">pic.twitter.com/hTkzPPtiCC</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1205417930457935872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Thursday, at least two people were killed in police firing as mobs continued to protest against the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from&nbsp;Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp;

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladesh-minister-has-given-explanation-for-cancelling-his-india-visit-mea-267936">also cancelled their trips to India</a> amid protests against a citizenship bill.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reacted to reports of the postponement of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India. "It will be a blot on our country," Banerjee said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reacted to reports of the postponement of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India. "It will be a blot on our country," Banerjee said. The external affairs ministry on Friday confirmed that Abe's visit to India has been postponed and will take place later on a mutually convenient date. According to reports, Abe's visit was to take place in India's Northeast region. The northeast has been rocked by massive protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on India, Japan defer Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to mutually convenient date in near future: It will be a blot on our country. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/hTkzPPtiCC — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2019 × On Thursday, at least two people were killed in police firing as mobs continued to protest against the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal have also cancelled their trips to India amid protests against a citizenship bill.

Blot on our country: Mamata reacts as Japanese PM's India visit gets deferred

The Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-might-cancel-india-trip-report-268002">Shinzo Abe's </a>visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday.

As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the postponement through a tweet, adding that a mutually convenient date would be decided in the future.&nbsp;

"With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,"the MEA spokseperson said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM <a href="https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbeShinzo</a> to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1205404342196424710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Abe was scheduled to arrive in India on December 15 for the seond annual bilateral summit between India and Japan. It was also expected that Japanese PM will pay a visit to northeast's Imphal and thereby becoming first Japanese PM to visit the region.&nbsp;

The protests in the northeastern region, especially in Assam continue against the Bill that intends to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp;

On Thursday, two people were killed in Assam's Guwahati, while in many states police and other vehicles were set on fire.&nbsp;

The citizenship bill provides Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, to India due to religious persecution.

(with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest.

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the postponement through a tweet, adding that a mutually convenient date would be decided in the future. "With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,"the MEA spokseperson said in a tweet. With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM @AbeShinzo to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future. — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 13, 2019 × Abe was scheduled to arrive in India on December 15 for the seond annual bilateral summit between India and Japan. It was also expected that Japanese PM will pay a visit to northeast's Imphal and thereby becoming first Japanese PM to visit the region. The protests in the northeastern region, especially in Assam continue against the Bill that intends to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. On Thursday, two people were killed in Assam's Guwahati, while in many states police and other vehicles were set on fire. The citizenship bill provides Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, to India due to religious persecution. (with inputs from agencies)

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to India postponed

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he is still planning to visit India next week, according to Bloomberg as a Japanese media report said he may consider cancelling the visit amid violent protests in the northeast over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe uncertain over visit to India amid Citizenship Act protests

Japan unveiled tax measures on Thursday aimed at encouraging companies to spend their cash piles on start-ups and other investments and stimulating a slowing economy, while also helping firms to compete with China's advance in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/telefonica-deutschland-picks-nokia-and-huawei-for-5g-network-267684">5G technology</a>.

The annual tax revision for fiscal 2020, formally decided by the ruling<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-britain-heads-to-polls-a-glance-at-last-three-elections-267767"> Liberal Democratic Party</a> (LDP) and its coalition ally Komeito party, focused on steps to encourage Japanese firms to spend their internal reserves of over 460 trillion yen ($4.23 trillion), lawmakers said.

For years Japanese companies have been sitting on a record cash-pile as they remain wary about boosting wages and investment.

Japan's economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.8 per cent&nbsp;in July-September, backed by capital spending and domestic demand, but analysts expect growth to slow in the current quarter as the Sino-US&nbsp;trade war and the national sales tax hike likely weighed on the world's third-largest economy.

Weak business spending would be another blow to Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-asks-japan-to-reduce-trade-surplus-before-abes-visit-267468"> Shinzo Abe</a>'s stimulus policy, or "Abenomics", which is aimed at stoking a cycle of higher wages, household, and corporate incomes and spending.

The new scheme will allow a 15 per cent tax break to mobile phone carriers and other businesses investing in 5G infrastructure to help domestic firms compete with China's strides in the next-generation communications network.

The roll-out of 5G networks, with speeds fast enough to download a movie to a smartphone in seconds, has raised security concerns in the United States over equipment for the upgrade supplied by Chinese telecommunication firm <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-to-roll-out-harmony-os-to-more-products-next-year-but-not-phones-and-tablets-267130">Huawei</a>.

"5G taxation marks the beginning of a new era as information technology greatly includes the national security point of view," LDP tax panel Chief Akira Amari told reporters after a meeting with ruling bloc lawmakers approved the tax revision.

"With this tax revision, I believe we managed to raise a flag so that Japan can lead America and EU on 5G development," Amari said. He made no mention of China.

Japanese companies eligible for the tax incentive will include mobile phone operators, and those preparing 5G networks for smart factories and smart agriculture using artificial intelligence in rural areas.

The overall tax revision is expected to have no big impact on annual tax revenue, Amari added.

The revision follows Abe's announcement last week that the government will roll out fiscal stimulus worth 13.2 trillion yen in spending.

The tax revision for the next fiscal year also includes preferential treatment for companies investing in businesses focusing on innovative technologies.

The new scheme will also allow businesses that invest 100 million yen or more in start-ups established less than a decade earlier, to deduct 25 per cent&nbsp;of that investment from taxable income.

Japan unveiled tax measures on Thursday aimed at encouraging companies to spend their cash piles on start-ups and other investments and stimulating a slowing economy, while also helping firms to compete with China's advance in 5G technology.

Japan unveiled tax measures on Thursday aimed at encouraging companies to spend their cash piles on start-ups and other investments and stimulating a slowing economy, while also helping firms to compete with China's advance in 5G technology. The annual tax revision for fiscal 2020, formally decided by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition ally Komeito party, focused on steps to encourage Japanese firms to spend their internal reserves of over 460 trillion yen ($4.23 trillion), lawmakers said. For years Japanese companies have been sitting on a record cash-pile as they remain wary about boosting wages and investment. Japan's economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.8 per cent in July-September, backed by capital spending and domestic demand, but analysts expect growth to slow in the current quarter as the Sino-US trade war and the national sales tax hike likely weighed on the world's third-largest economy. Weak business spending would be another blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's stimulus policy, or "Abenomics", which is aimed at stoking a cycle of higher wages, household, and corporate incomes and spending. The new scheme will allow a 15 per cent tax break to mobile phone carriers and other businesses investing in 5G infrastructure to help domestic firms compete with China's strides in the next-generation communications network. The roll-out of 5G networks, with speeds fast enough to download a movie to a smartphone in seconds, has raised security concerns in the United States over equipment for the upgrade supplied by Chinese telecommunication firm Huawei. "5G taxation marks the beginning of a new era as information technology greatly includes the national security point of view," LDP tax panel Chief Akira Amari told reporters after a meeting with ruling bloc lawmakers approved the tax revision. "With this tax revision, I believe we managed to raise a flag so that Japan can lead America and EU on 5G development," Amari said. He made no mention of China. Japanese companies eligible for the tax incentive will include mobile phone operators, and those preparing 5G networks for smart factories and smart agriculture using artificial intelligence in rural areas. The overall tax revision is expected to have no big impact on annual tax revenue, Amari added. The revision follows Abe's announcement last week that the government will roll out fiscal stimulus worth 13.2 trillion yen in spending. The tax revision for the next fiscal year also includes preferential treatment for companies investing in businesses focusing on innovative technologies. The new scheme will also allow businesses that invest 100 million yen or more in start-ups established less than a decade earlier, to deduct 25 per cent of that investment from taxable income.

Japan tax revision targets corporate cashpile to spur spending, 5G investment

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the governments of India and Japan to constitute the 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector. 
 
The 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' envisages enhancement of mutual understanding to secure sustainable growth in the steel sector, read a statement. 
 
It aims to examine all aspects of cooperation in the steel sector including the promotion of investment in high-grade steel-making and finding new avenues of steel usage in India. The MoC will help in capacity building for high-grade steel manufacturing in India.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the governments of India and Japan to constitute the 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the governments of India and Japan to constitute the 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in the steel sector. The 'India-Japan Steel Dialogue' envisages enhancement of mutual understanding to secure sustainable growth in the steel sector, read a statement. It aims to examine all aspects of cooperation in the steel sector including the promotion of investment in high-grade steel-making and finding new avenues of steel usage in India. The MoC will help in capacity building for high-grade steel manufacturing in India.

Cabinet approves steel pact between India-Japan

India asked Japan on Tuesday to take steps to reduce the Japanese trade surplus and sought more market access for Indian goods and services, a government statement said, before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit next week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abe plan to hold a summit in eastern India's city of Guwahati on December 15-16. During Modi's visit to Tokyo last year, they agreed to seek closer economic and military ties as both countries are wary of China.

Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $17.63 billion in 2018/19 from $10.9 billion in 2008/09. The trade balance widened to $7.9 billion in favour of Japan.

Despite India's decision to walk out of an ASEAN-led 15- nation regional free-trade pact, Japan is still hopeful that Modi will reconsider his decision, officials said.

Piyush Goyal, India's trade minister, has raised the issue of the widening trade deficit with his counterpart, Hiroshi Kajiyama. They discussed bilateral trade issues and the next review of the free trade pact, signed by the two countries in 2011.

"Balancing trade is a high priority for India with all partners," said the statement, adding both ministers agreed to ask their officials to prepare a plan to address the issues.

"Despite commitments in CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) from Japan, market access for India’s goods and services remains elusive," it said.

Goyal later told the parliament that the government was committed to further India’s trade interests in all future engagements.

India asked Japan on Tuesday to take steps to reduce the Japanese trade surplus and sought more market access for Indian goods and services, a government statement said, before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit next week.

India asked Japan on Tuesday to take steps to reduce the Japanese trade surplus and sought more market access for Indian goods and services, a government statement said, before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abe plan to hold a summit in eastern India's city of Guwahati on December 15-16. During Modi's visit to Tokyo last year, they agreed to seek closer economic and military ties as both countries are wary of China. Bilateral trade between the two countries rose to $17.63 billion in 2018/19 from $10.9 billion in 2008/09. The trade balance widened to $7.9 billion in favour of Japan. Despite India's decision to walk out of an ASEAN-led 15- nation regional free-trade pact, Japan is still hopeful that Modi will reconsider his decision, officials said. Piyush Goyal, India's trade minister, has raised the issue of the widening trade deficit with his counterpart, Hiroshi Kajiyama. They discussed bilateral trade issues and the next review of the free trade pact, signed by the two countries in 2011. "Balancing trade is a high priority for India with all partners," said the statement, adding both ministers agreed to ask their officials to prepare a plan to address the issues. "Despite commitments in CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) from Japan, market access for India’s goods and services remains elusive," it said. Goyal later told the parliament that the government was committed to further India’s trade interests in all future engagements.

India asks Japan to reduce trade surplus before Abe's visit

Japan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/in-a-first-us-approved-drone-delivers-donuts-to-doorstep-3079">7-Eleven </a>convenience store chain, already under nationwide scrutiny over labor issues, admitted on Tuesday that the company had been underpaying workers for years due to miscalculations.

The chain, a unit of Japanese retail group <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-capital-braces-for-what-could-be-worst-typhoon-in-60-years-255362">Seven &amp; I Holdings</a>, confirmed errors going back to 2012 and affecting 8,000 stores and over 30,000 workers. The total missed payments amounted to about 490 million yen ($4.5 million), it said.

The error was spotted by labor standards inspectors in September, the company said, confirming an earlier report by financial daily <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japans-stock-exchange-nikkei-posts-biggest-weekly-gain-in-over-6-years-2577">Nikkei</a>.

"We deeply apologize to our franchise stores and employees for this problem," the company said in a statement, adding that it would ensure the overdue payments will be paid out.

The convenience store chain has been under pressure to review its 24-hour store policy, with franchise owners struggling to keep stores staffed around the clock amid the tightest labor market in 40 years.

The company has been testing shorter hours at some stores after the plight of some franchise owners attracted nationwide attention.

The 7-Eleven stores, which originated in the United States but are now owned by Japan's Seven &amp; I, expanded rapidly since the 1970s as their 24-hour accessibility proved a perfect match with the country's dense population and late-night work culture.

Until recently, the convenience store industry's high margins and strong growth were the envy of the rest of Japan's retail sector that was struggling with pricing pressure and lean consumer spending.

Analysts, however, say the convenience store market is now highly saturated and a demographic crunch means the industry has little room for growth.

Japan's 7-Eleven convenience store chain, already under nationwide scrutiny over labor issues, admitted on Tuesday that the company had been underpaying workers for years due to miscalculations.

Japan's 7-Eleven convenience store chain, already under nationwide scrutiny over labor issues, admitted on Tuesday that the company had been underpaying workers for years due to miscalculations. The chain, a unit of Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings, confirmed errors going back to 2012 and affecting 8,000 stores and over 30,000 workers. The total missed payments amounted to about 490 million yen ($4.5 million), it said. The error was spotted by labor standards inspectors in September, the company said, confirming an earlier report by financial daily Nikkei. "We deeply apologize to our franchise stores and employees for this problem," the company said in a statement, adding that it would ensure the overdue payments will be paid out. The convenience store chain has been under pressure to review its 24-hour store policy, with franchise owners struggling to keep stores staffed around the clock amid the tightest labor market in 40 years. The company has been testing shorter hours at some stores after the plight of some franchise owners attracted nationwide attention. The 7-Eleven stores, which originated in the United States but are now owned by Japan's Seven & I, expanded rapidly since the 1970s as their 24-hour accessibility proved a perfect match with the country's dense population and late-night work culture. Until recently, the convenience store industry's high margins and strong growth were the envy of the rest of Japan's retail sector that was struggling with pricing pressure and lean consumer spending. Analysts, however, say the convenience store market is now highly saturated and a demographic crunch means the industry has little room for growth.

Japan's 7-Eleven admits it underpaid staff for years

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama will be meeting his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the top focus during the meeting tomorrow.

Japan is keen that India joins the RCEP from which New Delhi had withdrawn in November during the East Asia Summit. India said that the outcome of the pact is not a balanced one and does not provide adequate protection against import surge among other things.

Earlier this month, the Japanese foreign minister said that, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India".

Explaining his government's position Kajiyama said, "what is driving our efforts is Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean."

RCEP deal is expected to go ahead with 15 countries. The negotiation for the deal started in 2012 in Cambodia and will be one of the biggest free trade agreement in the world. 
&nbsp;

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama will be meeting his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the top focus during the meeting tomorrow.

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama will be meeting his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on Tuesday in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the top focus during the meeting tomorrow. Japan is keen that India joins the RCEP from which New Delhi had withdrawn in November during the East Asia Summit. India said that the outcome of the pact is not a balanced one and does not provide adequate protection against import surge among other things. Earlier this month, the Japanese foreign minister said that, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India". Explaining his government's position Kajiyama said, "what is driving our efforts is Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean." RCEP deal is expected to go ahead with 15 countries. The negotiation for the deal started in 2012 in Cambodia and will be one of the biggest free trade agreement in the world.

With RECP in focus, Japanese trade minister to meet Piyush Goyal on Tuesday 

Japan's markets watchdog will likely recommend soon that the financial regulator fine Nissan Motor Co Ltd about 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over false reporting on its financial statement, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.

Nissan's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November last year over allegations of financial misconduct, including understating his salary by around 9.1 billion yen ($84.71 million) over a period of nearly a decade and temporarily transferring personal financial losses to the books of Nissan, Japan's number&nbsp;2 automaker.

Reuters reported in June that Nissan would be fined up to 4 billion yen and it may receive a reduced fine of around 2.4 billion yen if the automaker filed documentation to the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) before the formal investigation begins, citing a source.

The fine would cover a four-year period through March 2018, the source previously told Reuters.

Nissan and the SESC could not immediately be reached for comment.

Japan's markets watchdog will likely recommend soon that the financial regulator fine Nissan Motor Co Ltd about 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over false reporting on its financial statement, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.

Japan's markets watchdog will likely recommend soon that the financial regulator fine Nissan Motor Co Ltd about 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) over false reporting on its financial statement, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday. Nissan's former Chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November last year over allegations of financial misconduct, including understating his salary by around 9.1 billion yen ($84.71 million) over a period of nearly a decade and temporarily transferring personal financial losses to the books of Nissan, Japan's number 2 automaker. Reuters reported in June that Nissan would be fined up to 4 billion yen and it may receive a reduced fine of around 2.4 billion yen if the automaker filed documentation to the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) before the formal investigation begins, citing a source. The fine would cover a four-year period through March 2018, the source previously told Reuters. Nissan and the SESC could not immediately be reached for comment.

Japan's markets watchdog likely to recommend $22 million fine against Nissan

The people of Afghanistan on Thursday held candlelight vigils in Kabul and Nangarhar as a tribute to Japanse physician and aid worker,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-doctor-and-aid-worker-tetsu-nakamura-shot-dead-in-afghanistan-266200">Tetsu Nakamura</a>&nbsp;who shot dead a day before.&nbsp;

Nakamura&nbsp;was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October.&nbsp;

The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008.&nbsp;

Nakamura's death sparked intense backlash and outpouring grief from the people of the conflict-ridden region. The doctor's death came a week after a grenade attack on a United Nations vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in Afghanistan.

There was no claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-should-accept-us-proposal-for-ceasefire-afghanistan-government-265605">Taliban</a> has denied responsibility claiming to have "good relations"&nbsp;with organisations that "contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan."

The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work.&nbsp;

"Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said.

Japan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blasts-japans-shinzo-abe-warns-of-real-ballistic-missile-265425">Shinzo Abe</a> on Wednesday said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful.&nbsp;

"I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo.

"He risked his life in a dangerous environment to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added.

The people of Afghanistan on Thursday held candlelight vigils in Kabul and Nangarhar as a tribute to Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura who shot dead a day before.

The people of Afghanistan on Thursday held candlelight vigils in Kabul and Nangarhar as a tribute to Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura who shot dead a day before. Nakamura was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday. Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October. The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008. Nakamura's death sparked intense backlash and outpouring grief from the people of the conflict-ridden region. The doctor's death came a week after a grenade attack on a United Nations vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in Afghanistan. There was no claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the Taliban has denied responsibility claiming to have "good relations" with organisations that "contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan." The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work. "Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful. "I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo. "He risked his life in a dangerous environment to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added.

Afghans hold candlelight vigil for slain Japanese aid worker Tetsu Nakamura

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japan-preparing-120-billion-stimulus-package-as-recession-risks-grow-265859">$120 billion in stimulus measures</a> on Thursday, to help the world's third-largest economy overcome the aftermath of the nation's recent natural disasters.

The package is also aimed at helping the nation alleviate the impact of last month's tax hike and survive a potential economic slowdown after an Olympic boom.

"We will introduce a daring fiscal policy worth 13 trillion yen ($120 billion)," Abe told ministers and party leaders at the prime minister's office.

"We have crafted a powerful policy package," Abe added.

The package, expected to be endorsed at a cabinet meeting later in the day, totals some 26 trillion yen if spending by the private sector is counted, according to public broadcaster NHK and other local media.

Under the plan, the government will spend some six trillion yen on a public investment after a series of natural disasters,&nbsp;including killer Typhoon Hagibis,&nbsp;caused huge damage to the country's infrastructure, local media said.

Japan's economy has so far expanded this year, partially because of strong demand related to preparations for the Olympics, which will start in July next year. Some analysts warned the country may suffer a post-Olympic slump.

The package is also aimed at easing the impact of the consumption tax increase to 10 per cent from eight per cent on October 1 and helping Japanese firms prepare for a global economic slowdown due to the US-China trade dispute.

The Tokyo market welcomed the package.

"In particular, stimulus-related shares such as construction companies benefited from the announcement," Toshikazu Horiuchi, a broker at IwaiCosmo Securities, told AFP.

But Yusuke Shimoda, an economist at Japan Research Institute, warned the impact of the package could be "limited."

"The package is likely to boost infrastructure-related businesses, but is unlikely to help reform the nation's slow-growth economy fundamentally," Shimoda said.

The package will also include government measures to help expand exports of farm products as a bilateral trade accord between Tokyo and Washington is set to take effect next year, Kyodo News said.

Among other steps, the government will help people in their 30s and 40s, who have been struggling to find work due to past economic slowdowns, to land new jobs, it said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled $120 billion in stimulus measures on Thursday, to help the world's third-largest economy overcome the aftermath of the nation's recent natural disasters.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled $120 billion in stimulus measures on Thursday, to help the world's third-largest economy overcome the aftermath of the nation's recent natural disasters. The package is also aimed at helping the nation alleviate the impact of last month's tax hike and survive a potential economic slowdown after an Olympic boom. "We will introduce a daring fiscal policy worth 13 trillion yen ($120 billion)," Abe told ministers and party leaders at the prime minister's office. "We have crafted a powerful policy package," Abe added. The package, expected to be endorsed at a cabinet meeting later in the day, totals some 26 trillion yen if spending by the private sector is counted, according to public broadcaster NHK and other local media. Under the plan, the government will spend some six trillion yen on a public investment after a series of natural disasters, including killer Typhoon Hagibis, caused huge damage to the country's infrastructure, local media said. Japan's economy has so far expanded this year, partially because of strong demand related to preparations for the Olympics, which will start in July next year. Some analysts warned the country may suffer a post-Olympic slump. The package is also aimed at easing the impact of the consumption tax increase to 10 per cent from eight per cent on October 1 and helping Japanese firms prepare for a global economic slowdown due to the US-China trade dispute. The Tokyo market welcomed the package. "In particular, stimulus-related shares such as construction companies benefited from the announcement," Toshikazu Horiuchi, a broker at IwaiCosmo Securities, told AFP. But Yusuke Shimoda, an economist at Japan Research Institute, warned the impact of the package could be "limited." "The package is likely to boost infrastructure-related businesses, but is unlikely to help reform the nation's slow-growth economy fundamentally," Shimoda said. The package will also include government measures to help expand exports of farm products as a bilateral trade accord between Tokyo and Washington is set to take effect next year, Kyodo News said. Among other steps, the government will help people in their 30s and 40s, who have been struggling to find work due to past economic slowdowns, to land new jobs, it said.

Japan unveils $120 billion stimulus package

How Indian Navy is calibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy

By Mallika Singh

Japanse physician and aid worker, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-afghans-killed-in-jalalabad-attack-japanese-doctor-wounded-266121">Tetsu Nakamura</a>, was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" />

The Japanese aid agency was shot on the right side of his chest when gunmen open fired on his car in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, said Afghan officials.&nbsp;

The doctor underwent surgery at a local hospital and was in the process of being transferred to Bagram near Kabul when he passed away at the Jalalabad airport.&nbsp;

“Sadly, Dr Nakamura has passed away from the wounds he received in the armed attack this morning,” said a spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor.

The attack on the aid worker comes a week after a grenade attack on a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-for-talks-if-united-states-lifts-sanctions-iran-266151">United Nations</a> vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in the conflict-ridden region.&nbsp;

Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October.&nbsp;

The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008.&nbsp;

Nakamura, last year claimed last year that his posting was meant to be for “five or six years” in an interview with national broadcaster NHK. “The plan was to come home when I was done.”

“We didn’t have proper facilities (for surgery and rehabilitation) but I couldn't just run away and abandon these people," he said.

There was no immediate claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-should-accept-us-proposal-for-ceasefire-afghanistan-government-265605">Taliban</a> has denied responsibility claiming to have “good relations” with organisations that “contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.”

Japan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blasts-japans-shinzo-abe-warns-of-real-ballistic-missile-265425">Shinzo Abe</a> said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful.&nbsp;

"I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo.

"He risked his life in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-including-newborn-killed-in-airstrike-in-afghanistans-khost-province-265602">dangerous environment</a> to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added.

The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work.&nbsp;

"Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said.

"The Afghan government strongly condemns the heinous and cowardly attack on Afghans' greatest friend, Dr Nakamura," said a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

"He has dedicated all his life to change the lives of Afghans."

(With inputs from agencies)

By Mallika Singh Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura, was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

By Mallika Singh Japanse physician and aid worker, Tetsu Nakamura, was shot dead along with five Afghans including his bodyguards, driver and another passenger in an attack in Afghanistan on Wednesday. The Japanese aid agency was shot on the right side of his chest when gunmen open fired on his car in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, said Afghan officials. The doctor underwent surgery at a local hospital and was in the process of being transferred to Bagram near Kabul when he passed away at the Jalalabad airport. “Sadly, Dr Nakamura has passed away from the wounds he received in the armed attack this morning,” said a spokesman for Nangarhar’s governor. The attack on the aid worker comes a week after a grenade attack on a United Nations vehicle in Kabul increasing fears of the humanitarian workers in the conflict-ridden region. Nakamura, the head of Peace Japan Medical services - known as Peshawar-kai in Japanese - devoted 35 years of his life to healing the wounded in Afghanistan of which he became an honorary citizen last year in October. The doctor had opened a clinic in a remote village in Afghanistan in 1991, before which he treated leprosy in Pakistanis and sick Afghan refugees. The native Fukuoka had been heading the Nangarhar aid group since 2008. Nakamura, last year claimed last year that his posting was meant to be for “five or six years” in an interview with national broadcaster NHK. “The plan was to come home when I was done.” “We didn’t have proper facilities (for surgery and rehabilitation) but I couldn't just run away and abandon these people," he said. There was no immediate claim for the responsibility of the attack for which the Taliban has denied responsibility claiming to have “good relations” with organisations that “contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.” Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he was “shocked” at the aid worker’s death who risked his life to do “various work” for which the people of Afghanistan were thankful. "I am shocked that he had to die in this way," Abe told reporters in a news conference in Tokyo. "He risked his life in a dangerous environment to do various work, and the people of Afghanistan were very grateful to him," he added. The police have launched a search operation to arrest the gunmen who fled the scene said officials who claimed to believe that the doctor was targeted for his work. "Dr Nakamura has been doing great work in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, especially in irrigation and agriculture," the official said. "The Afghan government strongly condemns the heinous and cowardly attack on Afghans' greatest friend, Dr Nakamura," said a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "He has dedicated all his life to change the lives of Afghans." (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese doctor and aid worker Tetsu Nakamura shot dead in Afghanistan

Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, the Nikkei business daily said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering a January visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the paper added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-afghans-killed-in-jalalabad-attack-japanese-doctor-wounded-266121">Japan</a> maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran, and has said it would not join any US&nbsp;coalition to protect merchant vessels in the region.

The Nikkei said the government would propose deploying one escort ship and a patrol aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force on a one-year mission that could be renewed annually. It plans to finalise the plan by year-end, the Nikkei said.

Global commodity trading has been rocked this year by attacks on international merchant vessels that Japan's Western allies have blamed on Iran. Tehran denies involvement.

Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since last year, when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy.

Japan, which has stopped buying oil from Iran because of US&nbsp;sanctions, is eager to see stability in the Middle East, where it gets the bulk of its oil imports.

Abe has tried unsuccessfully to ease tensions between the two countries. Iran has criticised US&nbsp;efforts to build an alliance to protect shipping in the Gulf, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japanese public broadcaster NHK this week after meeting with Abe that Tehran was opposed to any foreign forces in the region.

Iran has also proposed a visit to Japan by President Hassan Rouhani try to resolve Iran's nuclear impasse with Washington, Kyodo news reported.

Japan's pacifist constitution bans a standing military but allows self-defence forces. The prospect of deploying navy personnel to the region has sparked calls for caution from liberal media and other critics.

Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, the Nikkei business daily said.

Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, the Nikkei business daily said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering a January visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the paper added. Japan maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran, and has said it would not join any US coalition to protect merchant vessels in the region. The Nikkei said the government would propose deploying one escort ship and a patrol aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force on a one-year mission that could be renewed annually. It plans to finalise the plan by year-end, the Nikkei said. Global commodity trading has been rocked this year by attacks on international merchant vessels that Japan's Western allies have blamed on Iran. Tehran denies involvement. Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since last year, when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy. Japan, which has stopped buying oil from Iran because of US sanctions, is eager to see stability in the Middle East, where it gets the bulk of its oil imports. Abe has tried unsuccessfully to ease tensions between the two countries. Iran has criticised US efforts to build an alliance to protect shipping in the Gulf, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japanese public broadcaster NHK this week after meeting with Abe that Tehran was opposed to any foreign forces in the region. Iran has also proposed a visit to Japan by President Hassan Rouhani try to resolve Iran's nuclear impasse with Washington, Kyodo news reported. Japan's pacifist constitution bans a standing military but allows self-defence forces. The prospect of deploying navy personnel to the region has sparked calls for caution from liberal media and other critics.

Japan plans to send 270 sailors to Middle East to guard ships

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday the triathlon and equestrian cross-country would start earlier, the latest rescheduling due to concerns over the Japanese capital's stifling summer heat.

Doctors have warned the 2020 Games could see deadly medical emergencies as athletes, volunteers and spectators face the sweltering Tokyo summer where the mercury can easily reach 40 degrees Celsius.

The men's and women's individual triathlon will start one hour earlier at 6:30 am (2130 GMT), while the mixed team relay start time will move up to 7:30 am from 8:30 am, organisers said.

They also said the start time for the cross-country part of the equestrian competition was rescheduled from 8:30 am to between 7:30 am and 8:00 am.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-2020-marathon-race-walk-events-rescheduled-after-sapporo-move-266201">moved the marathon</a> and race-walking to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido over heat concerns.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike had repeatedly expressed her opposition but offered her reluctant support last month, saying the city would not stand in the way.

Tokyo 2020 organisers have won widespread praise for their preparations but extreme summer heat and poor water quality have given them a headache at test events.

In August, a French triathlete was taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke after an Olympic test event, despite organisers cutting the run to 5km due to the hot weather.

Also in August, organisers were forced to cancel the swimming section of a para-triathlon test event for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-to-use-radiation-detectors-food-from-home-at-tokyo-game-266181">Tokyo 2020</a> due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

Games officials have unveiled various measures such as mist sprays and cooling agents to beat the heat during next summer's Olympics.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday the triathlon and equestrian cross-country would start earlier, the latest rescheduling due to concerns over the Japanese capital's stifling summer heat.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday the triathlon and equestrian cross-country would start earlier, the latest rescheduling due to concerns over the Japanese capital's stifling summer heat. Doctors have warned the 2020 Games could see deadly medical emergencies as athletes, volunteers and spectators face the sweltering Tokyo summer where the mercury can easily reach 40 degrees Celsius. The men's and women's individual triathlon will start one hour earlier at 6:30 am (2130 GMT), while the mixed team relay start time will move up to 7:30 am from 8:30 am, organisers said. They also said the start time for the cross-country part of the equestrian competition was rescheduled from 8:30 am to between 7:30 am and 8:00 am. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already moved the marathon and race-walking to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido over heat concerns. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike had repeatedly expressed her opposition but offered her reluctant support last month, saying the city would not stand in the way. Tokyo 2020 organisers have won widespread praise for their preparations but extreme summer heat and poor water quality have given them a headache at test events. In August, a French triathlete was taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke after an Olympic test event, despite organisers cutting the run to 5km due to the hot weather. Also in August, organisers were forced to cancel the swimming section of a para-triathlon test event for Tokyo 2020 due to high levels of bacteria in the water. Games officials have unveiled various measures such as mist sprays and cooling agents to beat the heat during next summer's Olympics.

More Tokyo Olympic events rescheduled due to heat concern

South&nbsp;Korea's Olympic committee plans to buy&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;detectors&nbsp;and ship&nbsp;homegrown ingredients to Japan for its athletes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-eight-months-from-tokyo-2020-venue-preparations-enter-final-stretch-263688">Tokyo&nbsp;Games</a> because&nbsp;of worries local&nbsp;food&nbsp;may be contaminated by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Japan has posted data to show the country is safe&nbsp;from&nbsp;Fukushima&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;and many countries have lifted Fukushima-related&nbsp;food&nbsp;restrictions.

The&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;Sports &amp; Olympic Committee (KSOC) plans to ship red pepper paste, a key ingredient in&nbsp;Korean dishes, and other&nbsp;foods, and check for&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;in meat and vegetables that can only be sourced locally due to stringent quarantine rules, a KSOC meals plan report shows.

"Apparently, ingredients and&nbsp;food&nbsp;will be transported&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/873-million-fine-against-us-chip-gaint-qualcomm-south-korea-266064">South&nbsp;Korea</a>&nbsp;as much as possible, possibly including canned&nbsp;food," Shin Dong-keun, a ruling Democratic Party member of the parliamentary sports committee who was recently briefed by KSOC, told Reuters in an interview.

"For this Olympic&nbsp;games,&nbsp;food&nbsp;is our team's main focus so they can provide safe meals for the athletes to erase&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;worries, as opposed to in the past,&nbsp;food&nbsp;was meant to play the supplementary role of helping with their morale."

KSOC plans to arrange local&nbsp;Korean restaurants to prepare meals for baseball and softball players competing in Fukushima, as shipping boxed lunches&nbsp;from&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;is not feasible, it said in the "2020&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;Summer Olympics Meals Support Centre Plan".

"These&nbsp;Korean restaurants should only handle&nbsp;food&nbsp;confirmed as&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;free,"

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station, located about 220 km (130 miles) northeast of&nbsp;Tokyo, was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2011, sparking three reactor meltdowns.

More than 160,000 residents fled nearby towns in the aftermath as&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;from&nbsp;the reactors contaminated water,&nbsp;food&nbsp;and air.

Greenpeace said on Wednesday that&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;hot spots have been found at the J-Village sports facility in Fukushima where the&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;2020 Olympic torch relay will begin.

South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;has stepped up demands for a Japanese response to concerns&nbsp;food&nbsp;produced in the Fukushima area and nearby sea could be contaminated by&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;from&nbsp;the Fukushima plant.

Japan is having trouble removing more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water&nbsp;from&nbsp;the crippled plant.

When it finalises menus around April, the KSOC will consider asking&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;to ease its stringent quarantine ban on&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean produce, an official at the committee said.

The official said&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;was preparing a separate meals plan due to concerns&nbsp;from&nbsp;the public and politicians over&nbsp;food&nbsp;safety, unlike the United States and Australia whose athletes will mainly eat&nbsp;food&nbsp;provided by the host country, Japan.

The official requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

South&nbsp;Korea's concerns about possible contamination&nbsp;from&nbsp;the nuclear disaster has become a thorn in already contentious ties with Japan.

Seoul has banned imports of seafood&nbsp;from&nbsp;Japan's Fukushima region since the nuclear disaster, prompting&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;to launch a World Trade Organisation complaint. Japan has said many nations such as the United States and Australia had lifted or eased Fukushima-related restrictions.

Japanese officials&nbsp;use&nbsp;international events to promote the recovery of areas hit by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster to show produce&nbsp;from&nbsp;Fukushima prefecture is safe.

Mineral water&nbsp;from&nbsp;Fukushima was served on tables at the last month's G20 foreign ministers meeting it hosted in Nagoya.

The&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean Olympic committee plan to purchase&nbsp;radiation&nbsp;detecting equipment by February and station an inspector at its own cafeteria in&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;during the&nbsp;games to check contamination levels, according to the KSOC report.

The budget for the&nbsp;Tokyo&nbsp;Olympics meals service is earmarked at 1.7 billion won, which includes twice the amount of money for buying and shipping ingredients than previous&nbsp;games, according to the committee.

South Korea's Olympic committee plans to buy radiation detectors and ship homegrown ingredients to Japan for its athletes at the Tokyo Games because of worries local food may be contaminated by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

South Korea's Olympic committee plans to buy radiation detectors and ship homegrown ingredients to Japan for its athletes at the Tokyo Games because of worries local food may be contaminated by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Japan has posted data to show the country is safe from Fukushima radiation and many countries have lifted Fukushima-related food restrictions. The Korea Sports & Olympic Committee (KSOC) plans to ship red pepper paste, a key ingredient in Korean dishes, and other foods, and check for radiation in meat and vegetables that can only be sourced locally due to stringent quarantine rules, a KSOC meals plan report shows. "Apparently, ingredients and food will be transported from South Korea as much as possible, possibly including canned food," Shin Dong-keun, a ruling Democratic Party member of the parliamentary sports committee who was recently briefed by KSOC, told Reuters in an interview. "For this Olympic games, food is our team's main focus so they can provide safe meals for the athletes to erase radiation worries, as opposed to in the past, food was meant to play the supplementary role of helping with their morale." KSOC plans to arrange local Korean restaurants to prepare meals for baseball and softball players competing in Fukushima, as shipping boxed lunches from Tokyo is not feasible, it said in the "2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Meals Support Centre Plan". "These Korean restaurants should only handle food confirmed as radiation free," The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station, located about 220 km (130 miles) northeast of Tokyo, was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2011, sparking three reactor meltdowns. More than 160,000 residents fled nearby towns in the aftermath as radiation from the reactors contaminated water, food and air. Greenpeace said on Wednesday that radiation hot spots have been found at the J-Village sports facility in Fukushima where the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay will begin. South Korea has stepped up demands for a Japanese response to concerns food produced in the Fukushima area and nearby sea could be contaminated by radiation from the Fukushima plant. Japan is having trouble removing more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water from the crippled plant. When it finalises menus around April, the KSOC will consider asking Tokyo to ease its stringent quarantine ban on South Korean produce, an official at the committee said. The official said South Korea was preparing a separate meals plan due to concerns from the public and politicians over food safety, unlike the United States and Australia whose athletes will mainly eat food provided by the host country, Japan. The official requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. South Korea's concerns about possible contamination from the nuclear disaster has become a thorn in already contentious ties with Japan. Seoul has banned imports of seafood from Japan's Fukushima region since the nuclear disaster, prompting Tokyo to launch a World Trade Organisation complaint. Japan has said many nations such as the United States and Australia had lifted or eased Fukushima-related restrictions. Japanese officials use international events to promote the recovery of areas hit by the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster to show produce from Fukushima prefecture is safe. Mineral water from Fukushima was served on tables at the last month's G20 foreign ministers meeting it hosted in Nagoya. The South Korean Olympic committee plan to purchase radiation detecting equipment by February and station an inspector at its own cafeteria in Tokyo during the games to check contamination levels, according to the KSOC report. The budget for the Tokyo Olympics meals service is earmarked at 1.7 billion won, which includes twice the amount of money for buying and shipping ingredients than previous games, according to the committee.

South Korea to use radiation detectors, food from home at Tokyo Olympics 2020

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-ex-pm-nakasone-who-boosted-ties-with-us-dies-at-101-265192">Japan</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;preparing&nbsp;an economic&nbsp;stimulus&nbsp;package&nbsp;worth $120&nbsp;billion&nbsp;to support fragile economic&nbsp;growth, two government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday, complicating government efforts to fix public finances.

The spending would be earmarked in a supplementary budget for this fiscal year to next March and an annual budget for the coming fiscal year from April. Both budgets will be compiled later this month, the sources told Reuters, declining to be identified because the&nbsp;package&nbsp;has not been finalised.

While the&nbsp;package&nbsp;would come to around 13 trillion yen (93.5&nbsp;billion&nbsp;pounds), that would rise to 25 trillion yen ($230&nbsp;billion) when private-sector and other spending are included.

However, the spending could strain the industrial world's heaviest public debt burden, which tops more than twice the size of&nbsp;Japan's $5 trillion economy.

And despite the headline size of the&nbsp;stimulus, actual spending would be smaller in the current fiscal year, and economists are not expecting much of a boost.

"We expect this fiscal year's extra budget to total around 3-4 trillion yen. We should not expect it to substantially push up the GDP&nbsp;growth rate," said Takuya Hoshino, senior economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

The 13 trillion yen includes more than 3 trillion yen from fiscal investment and loan programmes, as the heavily indebted government seeks to take advantage of low borrowing costs under the Bank of&nbsp;Japan's negative interest rate policy.

Direct government spending is expected to reach around 7-8 trillion yen, they said.

Sources of funding the big-spending remain unclear. A final decision on the&nbsp;package&nbsp;could be made as early as Thursday.

Japan is preparing an economic stimulus package worth $120 billion to support fragile economic growth, two government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday, complicating government efforts to fix public finances.

Japan is preparing an economic stimulus package worth $120 billion to support fragile economic growth, two government officials with direct knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday, complicating government efforts to fix public finances. The spending would be earmarked in a supplementary budget for this fiscal year to next March and an annual budget for the coming fiscal year from April. Both budgets will be compiled later this month, the sources told Reuters, declining to be identified because the package has not been finalised. While the package would come to around 13 trillion yen (93.5 billion pounds), that would rise to 25 trillion yen ($230 billion) when private-sector and other spending are included. However, the spending could strain the industrial world's heaviest public debt burden, which tops more than twice the size of Japan's $5 trillion economy. And despite the headline size of the stimulus, actual spending would be smaller in the current fiscal year, and economists are not expecting much of a boost. "We expect this fiscal year's extra budget to total around 3-4 trillion yen. We should not expect it to substantially push up the GDP growth rate," said Takuya Hoshino, senior economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute. The 13 trillion yen includes more than 3 trillion yen from fiscal investment and loan programmes, as the heavily indebted government seeks to take advantage of low borrowing costs under the Bank of Japan's negative interest rate policy. Direct government spending is expected to reach around 7-8 trillion yen, they said. Sources of funding the big-spending remain unclear. A final decision on the package could be made as early as Thursday.

Japan preparing $120 billion stimulus package as recession risks grow

Days after the maiden India Japan 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has backed India's presence at the mega trade pact—Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).&nbsp;

The 2+2 meeting saw the participation of Japanese defence and foreign ministers and Indian counterparts—Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External affairs minister S Jaishankar.

&nbsp;Speaking at the 1st Tokyo Global Dialogue earlier today, Toshimitsu said, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India."

&nbsp;Though he explained, "whether we can keep India in the RCEP we cannot yet tell for certain at this moment", he added, "what is driving our efforts in Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean."

&nbsp;While RCEP was discussed during the Japanese ministers' meetings in Delhi, including with PM Modi, New Delhi reiterated its position for not joining the pact.&nbsp;

&nbsp;India had withdrawn from the pact during the RCEP meet in Thailand in November saying its outcome is not balanced and provides inadequate protection against import surge among other things.

Days after the maiden India Japan 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has backed India's presence at the mega trade pact—Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Days after the maiden India Japan 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has backed India's presence at the mega trade pact—Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The 2+2 meeting saw the participation of Japanese defence and foreign ministers and Indian counterparts—Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External affairs minister S Jaishankar. Speaking at the 1st Tokyo Global Dialogue earlier today, Toshimitsu said, "Japan is making diplomatic efforts to realize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the participation of all 16 countries, including India." Though he explained, "whether we can keep India in the RCEP we cannot yet tell for certain at this moment", he added, "what is driving our efforts in Japan’s firm conviction that the framework of the RCEP can truly boost the region’s economic potential only with the participation of India" which is the "world’s most populous democratic country and a major strategic player connecting the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean." While RCEP was discussed during the Japanese ministers' meetings in Delhi, including with PM Modi, New Delhi reiterated its position for not joining the pact. India had withdrawn from the pact during the RCEP meet in Thailand in November saying its outcome is not balanced and provides inadequate protection against import surge among other things.

Japan backs India's presence at RCEP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono to further cement strategic relations between the two countries. 
 
Another meeting of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-japan-to-hold-22-ministerial-dialogue-in-new-delhi-today-265339">India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2)</a> will be held in the evening and the two sides are expected to discuss defence and security, amongst other issues of mutual interest. 
 
The Indian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono will lead the Japanese side. 
 
The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. 
 
"The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the statement added. 
 
The two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realise a better future for the people of the two countries and the region. 
 
The dialogue has come ahead of the summit-level meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe later in the year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono to further cement strategic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono to further cement strategic relations between the two countries. Another meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) will be held in the evening and the two sides are expected to discuss defence and security, amongst other issues of mutual interest. The Indian delegation will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono will lead the Japanese side. The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the statement added. The two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realise a better future for the people of the two countries and the region. The dialogue has come ahead of the summit-level meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe later in the year.

PM Modi holds talks with Japanese ministers on improving strategic ties

In a strong message, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ties-with-japan-key-component-of-indias-vision-for-stability-in-indo-pacific-pm-modi-265476">India and Japan</a> have called Pakistan to act against terror groups operating out of territory under its control and comply with the commitments it has made to the anti-terror financing body Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The joint statement issued after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/22-dialogue-reflects-synergy-between-indias-act-east-policy-and-japans-vision-for-free-open-indo-pacific-jaishankar-265460">India, Japan maiden 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministers meeting</a> said, "The Ministers underlined the need for all countries to ensure that all territory under their control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries in any manner."

"They noted in this context the threat posed to regional security by terrorist networks operating out of Pakistan and called upon it to take resolute and irreversible action against them and fully comply with international commitments including to FATF," the statement added. &nbsp;

Pakistan had given commitments to the FATF but has failed to live up to them and has received a rap from the Paris-based body. Islamabad faces a probable blacklisting and has time till February when the plenary meets next.&nbsp;

Other than Pakistan, North Korea and the South China Sea was also discussed during the meet at Delhi's Hyderabad house.&nbsp;

Both sides urged a call on North Korea for "complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction" and urged Pyongyang to "resolve the abductions issue at the earliest date". North Korea is known to have abducted many Japanese citizens, Tokyo has nudged the country to release them soon.

On the South China Sea, both the sides called on the 'Code of Conduct' to be negotiated and not to "prejudice the rights and interests of the stakeholders using the South China Sea and freedoms of all states under international law". The nations also reiterated the need for a "free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region in which the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are ensured".

Both sides made "significant progress" on Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) negotiations and expressed a "desire for an early conclusion". ACSA is a logistics agreement. Its negotiations started last year, expected to be signed during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India in December.&nbsp;

The Japanese side will be sending a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) - in Gurgaon and both the countries have agreed for the first India-Japan joint fighter aircraft exercise to take place in Japan. 
&nbsp;

In a strong message, India and Japan have called Pakistan to act against terror groups operating out of territory under its control and comply with the commitments it has made to the anti-terror financing body Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

In a strong message, India and Japan have called Pakistan to act against terror groups operating out of territory under its control and comply with the commitments it has made to the anti-terror financing body Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The joint statement issued after India, Japan maiden 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministers meeting said, "The Ministers underlined the need for all countries to ensure that all territory under their control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries in any manner." "They noted in this context the threat posed to regional security by terrorist networks operating out of Pakistan and called upon it to take resolute and irreversible action against them and fully comply with international commitments including to FATF," the statement added. Pakistan had given commitments to the FATF but has failed to live up to them and has received a rap from the Paris-based body. Islamabad faces a probable blacklisting and has time till February when the plenary meets next. Other than Pakistan, North Korea and the South China Sea was also discussed during the meet at Delhi's Hyderabad house. Both sides urged a call on North Korea for "complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction" and urged Pyongyang to "resolve the abductions issue at the earliest date". North Korea is known to have abducted many Japanese citizens, Tokyo has nudged the country to release them soon. On the South China Sea, both the sides called on the 'Code of Conduct' to be negotiated and not to "prejudice the rights and interests of the stakeholders using the South China Sea and freedoms of all states under international law". The nations also reiterated the need for a "free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region in which the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are ensured". Both sides made "significant progress" on Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) negotiations and expressed a "desire for an early conclusion". ACSA is a logistics agreement. Its negotiations started last year, expected to be signed during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India in December. The Japanese side will be sending a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) - in Gurgaon and both the countries have agreed for the first India-Japan joint fighter aircraft exercise to take place in Japan.

India, Japan ask Pakistan to take irreversible action on terror; fulfil FATF commitments

First-ever 2+2 dialogue of India & Japan held in New Delhi today. Both sides raise the issue of national securities from terror in the world. Both sides agreed that Pakistan based terror network is a threat to the region. Watch this video to find out more in details.

First-ever 2+2 dialogue of India & Japan held in New Delhi today

India's relationship with Japan is a key component of its vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, ahead of the inaugural meeting of the India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2).

The Prime Minister made the remarks during his meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The two Japanese ministers are on a day-long visit to India and are leading a delegation to the 2+2 ministerial dialogue.

The Indian delegation is being led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The Prime Minister welcomed the visiting ministers and expressed his satisfaction at the two sides accomplishing 2+2 dialogue which was proposed during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018.

"Prime Minister added that India's relationship with Japan was a key component of our vision for Indo-Pacific for peace, stability and prosperity of the region, as well as a cornerstone of India's Act East Policy," the statement read.

He stressed the importance of all-round development in India-Japan relations for the benefit of the people of two nations, as well as the region and the world.

He mentioned that regular high-level exchanges between the two countries was a testimony to the depth and strength of the relationship.

Modi said that both he and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attach great importance to strengthening the bilateral partnership between the two countries, and conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming Abe to India for India-Japan Annual Summit next month.&nbsp;

India's relationship with Japan is a key component of its vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, ahead of the inaugural meeting of the India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2).

India's relationship with Japan is a key component of its vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, ahead of the inaugural meeting of the India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2). The Prime Minister made the remarks during his meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The two Japanese ministers are on a day-long visit to India and are leading a delegation to the 2+2 ministerial dialogue. The Indian delegation is being led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Prime Minister welcomed the visiting ministers and expressed his satisfaction at the two sides accomplishing 2+2 dialogue which was proposed during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018. "Prime Minister added that India's relationship with Japan was a key component of our vision for Indo-Pacific for peace, stability and prosperity of the region, as well as a cornerstone of India's Act East Policy," the statement read. He stressed the importance of all-round development in India-Japan relations for the benefit of the people of two nations, as well as the region and the world. He mentioned that regular high-level exchanges between the two countries was a testimony to the depth and strength of the relationship. Modi said that both he and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attach great importance to strengthening the bilateral partnership between the two countries, and conveyed that he looked forward to welcoming Abe to India for India-Japan Annual Summit next month.

Ties with Japan key component of India's vision for stability in Indo-Pacific: PM Modi

The inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-japan-to-hold-maiden-22-dialogue-on-november-30-262908">Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2)</a> will be held today. Both the countries are expected to discuss defence and security, among other mutual issues.

The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be leading the Indian delegation while the Japanese delegation will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono. 
 
"The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the MEA statement added.

The Japanese delegation will also meet PM Modi.

India and Japan will also trade views on the contemporary situation in the Indo-Pacific region and the respective efforts made by both sides under India's ''Act East Policy'' and Japan's ''Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision'' to achieve the shared goal of peace, prosperity, and progress.

The inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) will be held today. Both the countries are expected to discuss defence and security, among other mutual issues.

The inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) will be held today. Both the countries are expected to discuss defence and security, among other mutual issues. The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be leading the Indian delegation while the Japanese delegation will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono. "The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'," the MEA statement added. The Japanese delegation will also meet PM Modi. India and Japan will also trade views on the contemporary situation in the Indo-Pacific region and the respective efforts made by both sides under India's ''Act East Policy'' and Japan's ''Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision'' to achieve the shared goal of peace, prosperity, and progress.

India-Japan to hold 2+2 ministerial dialogue in New Delhi today

The 2+2 ministerial dialogue between India and Japan symbolises the deep level of mutual trust and understanding between the two countries and reflects the synergy between New Delhi's Act East Policy and Japan's vision for free and open Indo-Pacific, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

Jaishankar made these remarks at the inaugural meeting of the India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) being held in New Delhi.

The meeting saw the participation of the Japanese Delegation led by country Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono.

Jaishankar said that the fact that Japan is the only country with which India has an annual summit mechanism and a 2+2 ministerial dialogue underscores the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Tokyo.

Speaking in turn, Motegi said that the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between the two countries is symbolic of India's increasing importance in the Indo-Pacific and such meetings will contribute to Indo-Pacific's increasing safety and stability.

The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'.

The two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy'&nbsp;and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision'&nbsp;for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realise a better future for the people of the two countries and the region.

The dialogue has come ahead of the summit-level meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe later in the year.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The 2+2 ministerial dialogue between India and Japan symbolises the deep level of mutual trust and understanding between the two countries and reflects the synergy between New Delhi's Act East Policy and Japan's vision for free and open Indo-Pacific, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

The 2+2 ministerial dialogue between India and Japan symbolises the deep level of mutual trust and understanding between the two countries and reflects the synergy between New Delhi's Act East Policy and Japan's vision for free and open Indo-Pacific, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday. Jaishankar made these remarks at the inaugural meeting of the India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) being held in New Delhi. The meeting saw the participation of the Japanese Delegation led by country Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Taro Kono. Jaishankar said that the fact that Japan is the only country with which India has an annual summit mechanism and a 2+2 ministerial dialogue underscores the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Tokyo. Speaking in turn, Motegi said that the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between the two countries is symbolic of India's increasing importance in the Indo-Pacific and such meetings will contribute to Indo-Pacific's increasing safety and stability. The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken by Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018, with an aim to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The 2+2 meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the status of and exchange further views on strengthening defence and security cooperation between India and Japan so as to provide greater depth to the 'India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership'. The two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their respective efforts under India's 'Act East Policy' and Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision' for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress to realise a better future for the people of the two countries and the region. The dialogue has come ahead of the summit-level meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe later in the year.

2+2 dialogue reflects synergy between India's Act East Policy and Japan's vision for free, open Indo-Pacific: Jaishankar

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-test-fires-rockets-in-thanksgiving-reminder-of-year-end-deadline-for-us-265157">North Korea </a>on Saturday warned Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he could soon see a "real ballistic missile" while excoriating him as the "most stupid man ever known in history".

The colourful condemnation comes two days after the isolated state tested what it called a "super-large multiple launch rocket system", with South Korea reporting that two projectiles came down in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.&nbsp;

In the wake of the launch, which was supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Abe termed the fired weapons "ballistic missiles" that violated UN resolutions.&nbsp;

"It can be said that Abe is the only one idiot in the world and the most stupid man ever known in history as he fails to distinguish a missile from multiple launch rocket system while seeing the photo-accompanied report," a foreign ministry official said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA.&nbsp;

"Abe may see what a real ballistic missile is in the not distant future and under his nose... &nbsp;Abe is none other than a perfect imbecile," it added.

It was best for the North to avoid dealing with Abe, the official went on, adding that doing so with a "political dwarf" would bring "disgrace".&nbsp;

The Saturday criticism of the Japanese leader is the second of its kind by Pyongyang this month.&nbsp;

The North had slammed him as an "idiot and villain" and warned he will never set foot in Pyongyang after he condemned the North's weapons test days earlier.&nbsp;

Pyongyang is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programmes, which it says it needs to defend against a possible US invasion.

Nuclear negotiations between the US and the North have been at a standstill since the Hanoi summit between President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong Un broke up in February, and Pyongyang has since demanded Washington change its approach by the end of the year.&nbsp;

North Korea has issued a series of increasingly assertive comments in recent weeks as time runs down on its end-of-year deadline.

Trump hinted at the prospect of a fourth meeting with Kim in a tweet earlier this month, only to be rebuffed by the North, which said it had no interest in summits "that bring nothing to us". 
&nbsp;

North Korea on Saturday warned Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he could soon see a "real ballistic missile" while excoriating him as the "most stupid man ever known in history".

North Korea on Saturday warned Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he could soon see a "real ballistic missile" while excoriating him as the "most stupid man ever known in history". The colourful condemnation comes two days after the isolated state tested what it called a "super-large multiple launch rocket system", with South Korea reporting that two projectiles came down in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. In the wake of the launch, which was supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Abe termed the fired weapons "ballistic missiles" that violated UN resolutions. "It can be said that Abe is the only one idiot in the world and the most stupid man ever known in history as he fails to distinguish a missile from multiple launch rocket system while seeing the photo-accompanied report," a foreign ministry official said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA. "Abe may see what a real ballistic missile is in the not distant future and under his nose... Abe is none other than a perfect imbecile," it added. It was best for the North to avoid dealing with Abe, the official went on, adding that doing so with a "political dwarf" would bring "disgrace". The Saturday criticism of the Japanese leader is the second of its kind by Pyongyang this month. The North had slammed him as an "idiot and villain" and warned he will never set foot in Pyongyang after he condemned the North's weapons test days earlier. Pyongyang is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programmes, which it says it needs to defend against a possible US invasion. Nuclear negotiations between the US and the North have been at a standstill since the Hanoi summit between President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong Un broke up in February, and Pyongyang has since demanded Washington change its approach by the end of the year. North Korea has issued a series of increasingly assertive comments in recent weeks as time runs down on its end-of-year deadline. Trump hinted at the prospect of a fourth meeting with Kim in a tweet earlier this month, only to be rebuffed by the North, which said it had no interest in summits "that bring nothing to us".

North Korea blasts Japan's Shinzo Abe, warns of 'real ballistic missile'

Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-prime-minister-abes-approval-rating-sags-due-to-accusations-of-violating-laws-for-political-spending-262813">Shinzo Abe </a>is expected to arrive in north-eastern city Imphal as part of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-to-visit-india-in-december-247703">three-day visit to India </a>in December, as per sources. Imphal was once a battlefield between Japan and Allied forces during World War II.&nbsp;

If Abe visited&nbsp;Imphal, he would become the first Japanese PM to arrive in the north-eastern city.&nbsp;The sources added that the Japanese prime minister will also pay a visit to Imphal Peace Museum (IPM), which was opened in June to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal. The museum, which is 20 km southwest of Imphal and spread on 10 acres of land at the foothill of Red Hill, exhibits war artefacts and personal belongings of Japanese troops.&nbsp;

The Battle of Imphal is considered as one of the bloodiest battles fought during the second world war, where more than 30,000 Japanese troops were killed.&nbsp;

The Japanese PM will also hold talks with his Indian counterpart PM Modi regarding the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA, which seeks to enable both the nations to share defence capabilities and supplies. Meanwhile, India and Japan are also expected to hold their first 2+2 ministerial meeting later this week regarding the signing of ACSA.&nbsp;

India and Japan have deepened their bilateral ties in recent years and both Modi and Abe have made reciprocal visits.&nbsp;

Abe is scheduled to arrive in India on December 15, however, the Indian government is yet to confirm the date and places of Abe's visit. The Japanese PM is also likely to visit China late in December for a meeting with Japanese, Chinese and South Korean leaders.

(with inputs from agencies)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to arrive in north-eastern city Imphal as part of his three-day visit to India in December, as per sources. Imphal was once a battlefield between Japan and Allied forces during World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to arrive in north-eastern city Imphal as part of his three-day visit to India in December, as per sources. Imphal was once a battlefield between Japan and Allied forces during World War II. If Abe visited Imphal, he would become the first Japanese PM to arrive in the north-eastern city. The sources added that the Japanese prime minister will also pay a visit to Imphal Peace Museum (IPM), which was opened in June to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal. The museum, which is 20 km southwest of Imphal and spread on 10 acres of land at the foothill of Red Hill, exhibits war artefacts and personal belongings of Japanese troops. The Battle of Imphal is considered as one of the bloodiest battles fought during the second world war, where more than 30,000 Japanese troops were killed. The Japanese PM will also hold talks with his Indian counterpart PM Modi regarding the acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA, which seeks to enable both the nations to share defence capabilities and supplies. Meanwhile, India and Japan are also expected to hold their first 2+2 ministerial meeting later this week regarding the signing of ACSA. India and Japan have deepened their bilateral ties in recent years and both Modi and Abe have made reciprocal visits. Abe is scheduled to arrive in India on December 15, however, the Indian government is yet to confirm the date and places of Abe's visit. The Japanese PM is also likely to visit China late in December for a meeting with Japanese, Chinese and South Korean leaders. (with inputs from agencies)

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe likely to visit India's Imphal in December

Russia's Olympic Committee will do all it can to ensure Russian athletes take part in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-eight-months-from-tokyo-2020-venue-preparations-enter-final-stretch-263688">2020 Games</a>, its chief said Thursday, as the country faces a four-year doping ban.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure our team is in Tokyo under the Russian flag," news agency RIA Novosti quoted Stanislav Pozdnyakov as saying.

He said there were no "objective obstacles" to the "vast majority" of Russian athletes fully participating in the Olympics.&nbsp;

The compliance review committee at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">World Anti-Doping Agency</a> (WADA) on Monday recommended a four-year sporting ban over falsified lab data it received from Russia.

If WADA chiefs adopt the committee's recommendations at a meeting in Paris on December 9, Russia faces exclusion from key sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The scandal has tainted Russia's sporting reputation since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving Russia's medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russian track and field athletes were barred from competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016 although Russians competing in other events were allowed to take part.

The ban was widened to include all events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, though Russian competitors who could prove they were above suspicion were able to compete as neutrals under the Olympic flag.

Monday's call from the WADA review panel came after Russian authorities were accused of falsifying laboratory data related to the country's doping scandal, which were handed over to investigators in January.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it backs "the toughest sanctions against all those responsible for this manipulation," while cautioning against blanket sanctions that would punish the innocent.

If <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kremlin-says-russia-remains-open-to-cooperation-on-doping-264918">Russia challenges</a> an eventual suspension by WADA the case will go to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, whose decision will be binding on sports bodies including the International Olympic Committee

Russia's Olympic Committee will do all it can to ensure Russian athletes take part in the 2020 Games, its chief said Thursday, as the country faces a four-year doping ban.

Russia's Olympic Committee will do all it can to ensure Russian athletes take part in the 2020 Games, its chief said Thursday, as the country faces a four-year doping ban. "We will do everything in our power to ensure our team is in Tokyo under the Russian flag," news agency RIA Novosti quoted Stanislav Pozdnyakov as saying. He said there were no "objective obstacles" to the "vast majority" of Russian athletes fully participating in the Olympics. The compliance review committee at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday recommended a four-year sporting ban over falsified lab data it received from Russia. If WADA chiefs adopt the committee's recommendations at a meeting in Paris on December 9, Russia faces exclusion from key sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The scandal has tainted Russia's sporting reputation since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving Russia's medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Russian track and field athletes were barred from competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016 although Russians competing in other events were allowed to take part. The ban was widened to include all events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, though Russian competitors who could prove they were above suspicion were able to compete as neutrals under the Olympic flag. Monday's call from the WADA review panel came after Russian authorities were accused of falsifying laboratory data related to the country's doping scandal, which were handed over to investigators in January. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it backs "the toughest sanctions against all those responsible for this manipulation," while cautioning against blanket sanctions that would punish the innocent. If Russia challenges an eventual suspension by WADA the case will go to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, whose decision will be binding on sports bodies including the International Olympic Committee

Olympic chief says will 'do everything' to ensure Russia at 2020 Games

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-japan-in-fresh-spat-over-intelligence-deal-264297">South Korea and Japan</a> are setting aside historical grievances to redraw responsibilities for air traffic control over the East China Sea following recent near misses.

Responsibility in the "AKARA corridor" through South Korean airspace is currently split, with South Korean controllers shepherding north-south flights, and Japan's directing east-west flights, many of them in and out of Shanghai.

But South Korean and Japanese air traffic controllers operate on different radio frequencies, making communications more difficult for pilots who may be dealing with emergency in-flight situations, or needing to change altitude to avoid turbulence or bad weather.

An agreement in principle has been reached for South Korea to take over Japan's role, the United Nations aviation agency said on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-overtakes-united-states-in-number-of-diplomatic-missions-264784">China</a> was included in the agreement, as its air traffic controllers currently hand over to Japanese controllers in the corridor, and will in future hand over to South Korean controllers.

"The proposal we have put forward has been accepted by the three states," International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council President Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu said in an interview with Reuters. “The glory actually goes to the states who were able to work together to find a solution.”

Aliu said he expects the agreement to be formalised in January or February 2020 and would take effect in April.

The compromise comes despite decades of strained relations between Seoul and Tokyo over their wartime past, exacerbated in recent months by a simmering trade dispute. South Korean airlines have cut flights to Japan due to a plunge in passenger demand.

Aliu declined comment on relations between the two countries.

Airline trade group International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement that it knows the deal "will have a positive impact on safety and efficiency."

The dangers were laid bare by two recent near misses between planes that were blamed on conflicting air traffic control rights. Earlier this year, two commercial aircraft flew too close, and in 2018 a FedEx plane nearly collided with two Korean low-cost carrier jets.

"The risk posed by the current configuration is known, and generally well mitigated," said one source familiar with the ICAO-led talks and the region. "However, mistakes can happen, and two errors, one in 2018 and another in 2019, highlighted this concern."

The present arrangements were drawn up in 1983, when South Korea had no diplomatic relations with China and there were only around 10 flights a day in the corridor.

Since then, the corridor has become one of the busiest portions of airspace in the Asia-Pacific region, with 800 flights daily. Montreal-based ICAO recognised the urgent need to streamline traffic control, with the corridor expected to become even busier next year as Japan prepares to receive more traffic ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

“I personally got concerned about the situation," said Aliu, who was directly involved in the talks. "Because as you know, we will have the Tokyo Olympics coming and that will also mean many more flights.”

Under the new deal, Japan will benefit from an additional air route, Aliu said.

A deal could lead to further additional routes, with an airway between China and Korea to be discussed after the Olympics.

Andrew Herdman, director-general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said the prospective changes would help capacity and operational efficiency.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China could not be reached for comment. An official at South Korea's Transport Ministry said earlier on Wednesday it had raised the air traffic control issue with ICAO and remained in negotiations with Japan.

An official at Japan's Transport Ministry said his country was discussing the AKARA corridor with other countries in accordance with ICAO principles.

South Korea and Japan are setting aside historical grievances to redraw responsibilities for air traffic control over the East China Sea following recent near misses.

South Korea and Japan are setting aside historical grievances to redraw responsibilities for air traffic control over the East China Sea following recent near misses. Responsibility in the "AKARA corridor" through South Korean airspace is currently split, with South Korean controllers shepherding north-south flights, and Japan's directing east-west flights, many of them in and out of Shanghai. But South Korean and Japanese air traffic controllers operate on different radio frequencies, making communications more difficult for pilots who may be dealing with emergency in-flight situations, or needing to change altitude to avoid turbulence or bad weather. An agreement in principle has been reached for South Korea to take over Japan's role, the United Nations aviation agency said on Wednesday night. China was included in the agreement, as its air traffic controllers currently hand over to Japanese controllers in the corridor, and will in future hand over to South Korean controllers. "The proposal we have put forward has been accepted by the three states," International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council President Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu said in an interview with Reuters. “The glory actually goes to the states who were able to work together to find a solution.” Aliu said he expects the agreement to be formalised in January or February 2020 and would take effect in April. The compromise comes despite decades of strained relations between Seoul and Tokyo over their wartime past, exacerbated in recent months by a simmering trade dispute. South Korean airlines have cut flights to Japan due to a plunge in passenger demand. Aliu declined comment on relations between the two countries. Airline trade group International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement that it knows the deal "will have a positive impact on safety and efficiency." The dangers were laid bare by two recent near misses between planes that were blamed on conflicting air traffic control rights. Earlier this year, two commercial aircraft flew too close, and in 2018 a FedEx plane nearly collided with two Korean low-cost carrier jets. "The risk posed by the current configuration is known, and generally well mitigated," said one source familiar with the ICAO-led talks and the region. "However, mistakes can happen, and two errors, one in 2018 and another in 2019, highlighted this concern." The present arrangements were drawn up in 1983, when South Korea had no diplomatic relations with China and there were only around 10 flights a day in the corridor. Since then, the corridor has become one of the busiest portions of airspace in the Asia-Pacific region, with 800 flights daily. Montreal-based ICAO recognised the urgent need to streamline traffic control, with the corridor expected to become even busier next year as Japan prepares to receive more traffic ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. “I personally got concerned about the situation," said Aliu, who was directly involved in the talks. "Because as you know, we will have the Tokyo Olympics coming and that will also mean many more flights.” Under the new deal, Japan will benefit from an additional air route, Aliu said. A deal could lead to further additional routes, with an airway between China and Korea to be discussed after the Olympics. Andrew Herdman, director-general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said the prospective changes would help capacity and operational efficiency. The Civil Aviation Administration of China could not be reached for comment. An official at South Korea's Transport Ministry said earlier on Wednesday it had raised the air traffic control issue with ICAO and remained in negotiations with Japan. An official at Japan's Transport Ministry said his country was discussing the AKARA corridor with other countries in accordance with ICAO principles.

South Korea, Japan set to back air traffic deal over East China Sea

Gravitas: Japan: When lawmakers wore foldable helmets

Japan's Tohoku Electric Power said on Wednesday it has won initial regulatory approval to restart a reactor at its Onagawa power plant, more than eight&nbsp;years after it was damaged in the earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima disaster.

Tohoku Electric said in a statement it has received a first green light from Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority to restart the No&nbsp;2 reactor at Onagawa, subject to a public consultation period.

Onagawa was the closest among Japan's nuclear stations to the epicentre of the magnitude-9 quake in March 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people, as well as causing the worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.

The station was swamped by the tsunami, but survived with its cooling system intact, saving its reactors from the threat of meltdowns similar to those that occurred at Tokyo Electric Power's Fukushima Daiichi station to the south.

Further approvals will be required before the restart, along with the consent of local authorities, which is not guaranteed.

The reactor is a boiling water reactor (BWR) with the same basic design as those that melted down in the Fukushima crisis.

The Fukushima disaster led to the eventual shutdown of the country's then-54 operational reactors, which once provided nearly a third of Japan's electricity. All had to be relicensed under new standards after the disaster highlighted operational and regulatory failings.

While the approval will be a boost for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-leaves-japan-after-trip-centred-on-anti-nuclear-message-264572">Japan's resurgent nuclear industry</a>, the sector will still miss a government target of providing at least a fifth of the country's electricity by 2030, an analysis by Reuters showed last year.

Nine reactors have been restarted, all of them pressurized water reactors located far from Tokyo, while the stigma of Fukushima still hangs over use of the older BWR technology.

The issue of nuclear safety in Japan was highlighted again earlier this week when Pope Francis - who met victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster while in Japan over the weekend - said nuclear energy should not be used until there are ironclad guarantees that it is safe for people and the environment.

Japan's Tohoku Electric Power said on Wednesday it has won initial regulatory approval to restart a reactor at its Onagawa power plant, more than eight years after it was damaged in the earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima disaster.

Japan's Tohoku Electric Power said on Wednesday it has won initial regulatory approval to restart a reactor at its Onagawa power plant, more than eight years after it was damaged in the earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima disaster. Tohoku Electric said in a statement it has received a first green light from Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority to restart the No 2 reactor at Onagawa, subject to a public consultation period. Onagawa was the closest among Japan's nuclear stations to the epicentre of the magnitude-9 quake in March 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people, as well as causing the worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. The station was swamped by the tsunami, but survived with its cooling system intact, saving its reactors from the threat of meltdowns similar to those that occurred at Tokyo Electric Power's Fukushima Daiichi station to the south. Further approvals will be required before the restart, along with the consent of local authorities, which is not guaranteed. The reactor is a boiling water reactor (BWR) with the same basic design as those that melted down in the Fukushima crisis. The Fukushima disaster led to the eventual shutdown of the country's then-54 operational reactors, which once provided nearly a third of Japan's electricity. All had to be relicensed under new standards after the disaster highlighted operational and regulatory failings. While the approval will be a boost for Japan's resurgent nuclear industry, the sector will still miss a government target of providing at least a fifth of the country's electricity by 2030, an analysis by Reuters showed last year. Nine reactors have been restarted, all of them pressurized water reactors located far from Tokyo, while the stigma of Fukushima still hangs over use of the older BWR technology. The issue of nuclear safety in Japan was highlighted again earlier this week when Pope Francis - who met victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster while in Japan over the weekend - said nuclear energy should not be used until there are ironclad guarantees that it is safe for people and the environment.

Japan approves restarting nuclear reactor closest to epicentre of 2011 quake

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