North Korea is now inching close to a nuclear test, the US, Japan and South Korea have warned of 'unprecedented response'. The Deputy Foreign Ministers of all the three nations said they would ramp up defence in the region.

Possible North Korean nuke test worries the world; US, allies vows 'unprecedented response'

Japan is expected to announce an economic stimulus package to cushion the impact of inflation and Japanese media say that the package could be worth $200 billion.

Japan to approve new economic package; $200 billion package to ease inflation pain

U.S, Japan and South Korea vowed closer ties. North Korea was warned over the nuclear test. The U.S. urged North Korea to refrain from further provocations.

U.S, Japan & South Korea vows closer ties; North Korea warned over nuclear test

Amid ongoing tensions with North Korea, South Korean Troops practice amphibious landing. Thousands of troops were also mobilised for the drills.

South Korea prepares for any North Korean threats; South Korean Troops practice amphibious landing

Amid simmering tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the United States, Japan and South Korea on Wednesday (October 26) warned of an "unparalleled" scale of response in case North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear bomb test.&nbsp;

South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong told a news conference in Tokyo: "We agreed that an unparalleled scale of response would be necessary if North Korea pushes ahead with a seventh nuclear test."&nbsp;

North Korea has continued with its record pace of weapon testing this year, including the firing of a short-range ballistic missile. Some reports even suggested that it fired many artillery rounds close to the inter-Korean border.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-warns-russia-against-using-nukes-says-would-be-incredibly-serious-mistake-528412">Biden warns Russia against using nukes, says would be 'incredibly serious mistake'</a>&nbsp;

During the joint presser, Cho spoke alongside his Japanese and US counterparts, Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman respectively.&nbsp;

Sherman said that "we urge (North Korea) to refrain from further provocations," and added that such actions can be "reckless and deeply destabilising for the region."

Sherman added, "Anything that happens here, such as a North Korean nuclear test ... has implications for the security of the entire world. We hope indeed that everyone on the Security Council would understand that any use of a nuclear weapon will change the world in incredible ways."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;South Korea's SK hynix cuts CapEx by 50%; US curbs may force company out of China&nbsp;

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While responding to the remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the nations should acknowledge "the root causes of the long-standing impasse". Wang suggested that necessary steps must be taken to enhance mutual trust and address the concerns of all parties in a balanced manner.&nbsp;

Tensions escalated when the US Navy aircraft carrier strike group entered into waters off the Korean Peninsula, with the North criticising it. The state's foreign ministry said that it posed a "serious threat" to the stability.&nbsp;

Recently, South Korea worked to enhance its readiness and further strengthen surveillance capabilities with the annual Hoguk defence drills, which are designed to boost its ability to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

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Amid simmering tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the United States, Japan and South Korea on Wednesday (October 26) warned of an "unparalleled" scale of response in case North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear bomb test.

Amid simmering tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the United States, Japan and South Korea on Wednesday (October 26) warned of an "unparalleled" scale of response in case North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear bomb test. South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong told a news conference in Tokyo: "We agreed that an unparalleled scale of response would be necessary if North Korea pushes ahead with a seventh nuclear test." North Korea has continued with its record pace of weapon testing this year, including the firing of a short-range ballistic missile. Some reports even suggested that it fired many artillery rounds close to the inter-Korean border. ALSO READ | Biden warns Russia against using nukes, says would be 'incredibly serious mistake' During the joint presser, Cho spoke alongside his Japanese and US counterparts, Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman respectively. Sherman said that "we urge (North Korea) to refrain from further provocations," and added that such actions can be "reckless and deeply destabilising for the region." Sherman added, "Anything that happens here, such as a North Korean nuclear test ... has implications for the security of the entire world. We hope indeed that everyone on the Security Council would understand that any use of a nuclear weapon will change the world in incredible ways." WATCH | South Korea's SK hynix cuts CapEx by 50%; US curbs may force company out of China × While responding to the remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that the nations should acknowledge "the root causes of the long-standing impasse". Wang suggested that necessary steps must be taken to enhance mutual trust and address the concerns of all parties in a balanced manner. Tensions escalated when the US Navy aircraft carrier strike group entered into waters off the Korean Peninsula, with the North criticising it. The state's foreign ministry said that it posed a "serious threat" to the stability. Recently, South Korea worked to enhance its readiness and further strengthen surveillance capabilities with the annual Hoguk defence drills, which are designed to boost its ability to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

If North Korea holds nuclear test, there'll be 'unparalleled scale of response', warn US, Japan, South Korea

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday appointed former health minister Shigeyuki Goto as the next economy minister after the incumbent abruptly resigned amid criticism over his links to a controversial religious group.&nbsp;

Following weeks of calls by opposition lawmakers to quit, former economy minister Daishiro Yamagiwa on Monday tendered his resignation, saying he "caused inconvenience to the government" by taking too long to clearly explain his links to the Unification Church.&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Kishida said he picked Goto based on his "political experience, high presentation skills, and passion for economic and social reforms."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-politics-live-rishi-sunak-to-meet-king-charles-before-giving-first-address-as-pm-528141" hreflang="en">UK politics LIVE: Sunak to meet King Charles before giving first address as PM</a>

Goto's appointment comes as the government faces the urgent task of compiling an economic stimulus package and a fresh extra budget.&nbsp;

Kishida has promised to put together a stimulus package by the end of October to counter a painful rise in the cost of living amid the yen's plunge to 32-year-lows.&nbsp;

A ruling party official on Monday indicated the package may total around 26 trillion yen ($174.56 billion).&nbsp;

Yamagiwa became the first minister to resign from Kishida's government and the highest profile political casualty thus far from a widening scandal sparked by the killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July.&nbsp;

The suspect in the killing bore a grudge against the Unification Church, alleging it bankrupted his mother, and blamed Abe for promoting it.&nbsp;

Abe's death brought to light widespread links between the church, which critics say is akin to a cult, and members of Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), causing a precipitous fall in his support ratings.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-third-of-users-regularly-get-their-news-from-tiktok-claims-new-study-528120" hreflang="en">One-third of users regularly get their news from TikTok, claims new study</a>

The LDP has acknowledged that many individual lawmakers have ties to the church but has said there was no organisational link to the church. Kishida has ordered an investigation into the church amid falling public approval over the issue.&nbsp;

Asked by a reporter about whether Goto's background as a long-time finance ministry bureaucrat could steer the government towards a more hawkish fiscal stance, Kishida brushed aside speculation saying: "I am confident that he will work on socio-economic reforms from a broad perspective."&nbsp;

A private-sector economist said the appointment of Goto was also likely based on his experience handling coronavirus-related policies as Kishida's former health minister. The economy minister's responsibilities include COVID-19 countermeasures, among others.&nbsp;

"The Kishida administration might be concerned about a resurgence of the coronavirus in the winter, and that might be one reason for the selection," said Toru Suehiro, chief economist at Daiwa Securities.&nbsp;

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Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday appointed former health minister Shigeyuki Goto as the next economy minister after the incumbent abruptly resigned amid criticism over his links to a controversial religious group.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday appointed former health minister Shigeyuki Goto as the next economy minister after the incumbent abruptly resigned amid criticism over his links to a controversial religious group. Following weeks of calls by opposition lawmakers to quit, former economy minister Daishiro Yamagiwa on Monday tendered his resignation, saying he "caused inconvenience to the government" by taking too long to clearly explain his links to the Unification Church. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Kishida said he picked Goto based on his "political experience, high presentation skills, and passion for economic and social reforms." Also read | UK politics LIVE: Sunak to meet King Charles before giving first address as PM Goto's appointment comes as the government faces the urgent task of compiling an economic stimulus package and a fresh extra budget. Kishida has promised to put together a stimulus package by the end of October to counter a painful rise in the cost of living amid the yen's plunge to 32-year-lows. A ruling party official on Monday indicated the package may total around 26 trillion yen ($174.56 billion). Yamagiwa became the first minister to resign from Kishida's government and the highest profile political casualty thus far from a widening scandal sparked by the killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July. The suspect in the killing bore a grudge against the Unification Church, alleging it bankrupted his mother, and blamed Abe for promoting it. Abe's death brought to light widespread links between the church, which critics say is akin to a cult, and members of Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), causing a precipitous fall in his support ratings. Also read | One-third of users regularly get their news from TikTok, claims new study The LDP has acknowledged that many individual lawmakers have ties to the church but has said there was no organisational link to the church. Kishida has ordered an investigation into the church amid falling public approval over the issue. Asked by a reporter about whether Goto's background as a long-time finance ministry bureaucrat could steer the government towards a more hawkish fiscal stance, Kishida brushed aside speculation saying: "I am confident that he will work on socio-economic reforms from a broad perspective." A private-sector economist said the appointment of Goto was also likely based on his experience handling coronavirus-related policies as Kishida's former health minister. The economy minister's responsibilities include COVID-19 countermeasures, among others. "The Kishida administration might be concerned about a resurgence of the coronavirus in the winter, and that might be one reason for the selection," said Toru Suehiro, chief economist at Daiwa Securities.

Japan PM appoints ex-health min Shigeyuki Goto as next economy minister

Warm temperatures combined with flood waters could leave upto 750,000 Australians vulnerable to the Japanese Encephalitis, a disease confined to Asia, northern Australia. Six out of 31infected people have died after the disease was detected in several hickories in southern Australia.

WION Climate Tracker: Australia at risk of Japanese Encephalitis outbreak?

Tokyo is all set to get its own Platform Nine and Three- Quarters. Japan is planning to open its very own Harry Potter theme park known as Warner Bros Studio Tour- The Making of Harry Potter. And while the studio tour will open in 2023, two nearby railway stations will also undergo changes in accordance to the theme of the film. The stations, according to reports, will serve as a getaway to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.&nbsp;

The studio tour will be located at Toshimaen and so naturally, Toshimaen Station undergoing Potter transformation. A new two-storey&nbsp;structure will be built within the station which will have a dark red train platform reminiscent of Hogsmeade train station, where the Hogwarts Express ends its journey and where each year, young wizards arrive to get enrolled in Hogwarts.&nbsp;

Not just Toshimaen, but Ikebukuro Station too will undergo a similar transformation. The station is frequently used to get to Toshimaen. Reports state that platforms one and two- which connect to trains servicing Toshimaen- will be modeled on London’s King’s Cross train station, where Hogwarts pupils get an entry to the famous platforms 9 and 3/4.&nbsp; 
 
Needless to say, the station will sport brown brick facades and analog clocks to look like an extension of the Potter universe.&nbsp; 
 
Renovations will begin sometime in the summer this year and are set to be completed by the spring of 2023.&nbsp;

Tokyo is all set to get its own Platform Nine and Three- Quarters. Japan is planning to open its very own Harry Potter theme park known as Warner Bros Studio Tour- The Making of Harry Potter.

Tokyo is all set to get its own Platform Nine and Three- Quarters. Japan is planning to open its very own Harry Potter theme park known as Warner Bros Studio Tour- The Making of Harry Potter. And while the studio tour will open in 2023, two nearby railway stations will also undergo changes in accordance to the theme of the film. The stations, according to reports, will serve as a getaway to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The studio tour will be located at Toshimaen and so naturally, Toshimaen Station undergoing Potter transformation. A new two-storey structure will be built within the station which will have a dark red train platform reminiscent of Hogsmeade train station, where the Hogwarts Express ends its journey and where each year, young wizards arrive to get enrolled in Hogwarts. Not just Toshimaen, but Ikebukuro Station too will undergo a similar transformation. The station is frequently used to get to Toshimaen. Reports state that platforms one and two- which connect to trains servicing Toshimaen- will be modeled on London’s King’s Cross train station, where Hogwarts pupils get an entry to the famous platforms 9 and 3/4. Needless to say, the station will sport brown brick facades and analog clocks to look like an extension of the Potter universe. Renovations will begin sometime in the summer this year and are set to be completed by the spring of 2023.

Two railway stations in Tokyo will undergo Harry Potter transformation

Japan is in a rush to rearm itself by 2027. The arms race seems to have been triggered by China's 20th CPC Congress. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

WION Fineprint | Japan ramps up arms production

A Japanese man tasked with preserving cultural heritage accidentally ploughed his car into the country's oldest toilet in a centuries-old Buddhist temple, partially destroying it, police said Tuesday.

Tofukuji Temple in the western Kyoto region houses a toilet said to date back to the 15th century, earning it the designation of an important cultural asset.

But the original wooden door leading to the site was "ruined" after the driver, a 30-year-old man from the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association, accidentally backed his car into it on Monday morning, police told AFP.

Having parked in front of the toilet, the man hit the gas to restart the car without realising he was still in reverse, police said.

"We've been told it's going to require a lot of work to restore," a Kyoto police official said. 
Walls inside also sustained minor damage, but the actual latrines, two rows of pits, survived intact, Norihiko Murata, a Kyoto official in charge of cultural heritage preservation, told AFP.

The toilet was traditionally used by monks as part of their ascetic training, although it is no longer in use.

"It is of course disappointing that part of this important cultural property has been damaged like this," Murata said.

"We will discuss how to restore it in a way that will retain as much of its cultural value as possible."

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A Japanese man tasked with preserving cultural heritage accidentally ploughed his car into the country's oldest toilet in a centuries-old Buddhist temple, partially destroying it, police said Tuesday.

A Japanese man tasked with preserving cultural heritage accidentally ploughed his car into the country's oldest toilet in a centuries-old Buddhist temple, partially destroying it, police said Tuesday. Tofukuji Temple in the western Kyoto region houses a toilet said to date back to the 15th century, earning it the designation of an important cultural asset. But the original wooden door leading to the site was "ruined" after the driver, a 30-year-old man from the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association, accidentally backed his car into it on Monday morning, police told AFP. Having parked in front of the toilet, the man hit the gas to restart the car without realising he was still in reverse, police said. "We've been told it's going to require a lot of work to restore," a Kyoto police official said. Walls inside also sustained minor damage, but the actual latrines, two rows of pits, survived intact, Norihiko Murata, a Kyoto official in charge of cultural heritage preservation, told AFP. The toilet was traditionally used by monks as part of their ascetic training, although it is no longer in use. "It is of course disappointing that part of this important cultural property has been damaged like this," Murata said. "We will discuss how to restore it in a way that will retain as much of its cultural value as possible." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Japan's oldest toilet damaged after a car driver backs up into it

Tensions have flared up in the Korean peninsula after South Korea launches a six-day joint military exercise with US & Japan. The move has angered North Korea.

South Korea launches six-day joint military exercise with US & Japan

The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government approval ratings have fallen due to the party's link with Unification Church and this comes after the government has failed to manage the inflation. Kishida's cabinet witnessed a fall in the support from 40% to 35%, which is the lowest.

Shinzo Abe assassination: Japan PM Fumio Kishida orders probe into unification church

After Shinzo Abe's assassination in July exposed tight ties between the Unification Church and politicians from the ruling party, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced an investigation into the organisation on Monday.&nbsp;

As a result of mounting resentment that members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) did not properly disclose their connections to the church, support for Kishida's government has fallen to its lowest point since he took office a year ago.&nbsp;

Now, he has instructed the culture minister to prepare an investigation into the church under the Religious Corporations Act. Kishida told parliament: "I want to resolve issues related to the church."&nbsp;

But he refrained from commenting on when it would end. He said: "The government will clarify the situation, offer relief measures to the victims and take steps to prevent a similar situation happening again."&nbsp;

Kishida expressed regret over the reports that many LDP members had connections to the religion, which he claimed damaged public confidence in the government.&nbsp;

He also stated he was "taking seriously" claims that the organisation had left many of its adherents destitute, frequently with their families in disarray.&nbsp;

Hiroshi Yamaguchi, a lawyer who has worked on cases against the church, claims that in order to draw members and achieve credibility, the church developed relationships with Japanese politicians.&nbsp;

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After Shinzo Abe's assassination in July exposed tight ties between the Unification Church and politicians from the ruling party, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced an investigation into the organisation on Monday.

After Shinzo Abe's assassination in July exposed tight ties between the Unification Church and politicians from the ruling party, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced an investigation into the organisation on Monday. As a result of mounting resentment that members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) did not properly disclose their connections to the church, support for Kishida's government has fallen to its lowest point since he took office a year ago. Now, he has instructed the culture minister to prepare an investigation into the church under the Religious Corporations Act. Kishida told parliament: "I want to resolve issues related to the church." But he refrained from commenting on when it would end. He said: "The government will clarify the situation, offer relief measures to the victims and take steps to prevent a similar situation happening again." Kishida expressed regret over the reports that many LDP members had connections to the religion, which he claimed damaged public confidence in the government. He also stated he was "taking seriously" claims that the organisation had left many of its adherents destitute, frequently with their families in disarray. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, a lawyer who has worked on cases against the church, claims that in order to draw members and achieve credibility, the church developed relationships with Japanese politicians. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan PM Fumio Kishida orders probe into Unification Church links to ruling party members

Will North Korea retaliate? South Korea launches defence drills as tensions flare up

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is mulling launching an investigation into the Unification Church which has come under fire, ever since the assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is mulling launching an investigation into the Unification Church which has come under fire, ever since the assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe. Reportedly, Kisida is expected to table the proposal on Monday during a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. Notably, the change in attitude from Kishida comes in the backdrop of his approval rating taking a deep dive in recent months for failing to address the issue. As reported by WION, in September, Kishida's support fell to 32.3 per cent from 44.3 per cent a month before, according to the survey by Jiji news agency conducted at the weekend The 'Unification Church' has become Kishida's Achilles heel and it only became more grave when a man set himself on fire in protest of the state funeral. Critics in Japan have called the church a cult that exercises tremendous sway over politicians especially the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). A recent survey found that half of LDP lawmakers have ties with the group in terms of receiving political support or donations, or attending events. WATCH | Unification Church in Japan accepts it took huge donation from Shinzo Abe shooting suspect's mother × Abe's assassin is believed to have resented the sect over massive donations his mother made to the church, leaving the family bankrupt. The organisation, which was started in South Korea in the 1950s by self-declared messiah Sun Myung Moon and is well-known for its mass weddings, has come under fire for its fundraising practises and other problems. Such ideas are rejected by the church, which asserts that it is a valid religious movement. Read more: Unification Church in Japan pledges donation reforms after Shinzo Abe’s assassination (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Japanese PM mulls launching investigation into Unification Church

A move towards greater liberty for women, Japan is all set to scrap its remarriage restrictions on pregnant women. The country's cabinet ministers have approved the repealing of a regressive law which stated that if a woman is pregnant at the time of divorce, she has to wait for 100 days before marrying again.

Japanese cabinet ministers approve the scrapping of discriminatory law

The Japanese cabinet ministers on Friday (October 14) approved repealing a law that requires a pregnant woman seeking a divorce to wait for at least 100 days before marrying again.&nbsp;

Set out over 100 years ago, several critics campaigned for its repeal, which for six months prior to its revision in 2016 prohibited remarriage, AFP reported.

The law was designed to make it easier to identify the father of the child, who will be legally responsible for the finances of the infant.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepals-citizenship-bill-is-it-gender-discriminatory-510480">Also read |&nbsp;Nepal's citizenship bill: Is it gender discriminatory?</a>

According to the local media, the administration will present the updated civil code to the current legislative session, which ends on December 10 this year. If approved, the amendment is predicted to take effect in the year 2024, AFP reported.&nbsp;

The new law will also take away parents' right to discipline their children to the necessary extent.

Two years ago, the government delayed a two-decade-old rule that aimed for nearly 30 per cent of the top businesses in industry and politics to be held by women.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-colorado-baker-fights-ruling-over-gender-transition-cake-522872">Also read |&nbsp;US: Colorado baker fights ruling over gender transition cake</a>

Despite being one of the most advanced in science and technology, as per the World Economic Forum's annual Global Gender study, Japan stood at 116th place out of 146 nations in the year 2022.&nbsp;

The report considers political empowerment along with health, education, and economic engagement. The country is currently lagging behind in bridging the gender gap.

To improve the situation, the country is making efforts as per the new five-year strategy. Efforts were made to reach this goal by the year 2030.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Japanese cabinet ministers on Friday (October 14) approved repealing a law that requires a pregnant woman seeking a divorce to wait for at least 100 days before marrying again.

The Japanese cabinet ministers on Friday (October 14) approved repealing a law that requires a pregnant woman seeking a divorce to wait for at least 100 days before marrying again. Set out over 100 years ago, several critics campaigned for its repeal, which for six months prior to its revision in 2016 prohibited remarriage, AFP reported. The law was designed to make it easier to identify the father of the child, who will be legally responsible for the finances of the infant. Also read | Nepal's citizenship bill: Is it gender discriminatory? According to the local media, the administration will present the updated civil code to the current legislative session, which ends on December 10 this year. If approved, the amendment is predicted to take effect in the year 2024, AFP reported. The new law will also take away parents' right to discipline their children to the necessary extent. Two years ago, the government delayed a two-decade-old rule that aimed for nearly 30 per cent of the top businesses in industry and politics to be held by women. Also read | US: Colorado baker fights ruling over gender transition cake Despite being one of the most advanced in science and technology, as per the World Economic Forum's annual Global Gender study, Japan stood at 116th place out of 146 nations in the year 2022. The report considers political empowerment along with health, education, and economic engagement. The country is currently lagging behind in bridging the gender gap. To improve the situation, the country is making efforts as per the new five-year strategy. Efforts were made to reach this goal by the year 2030. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Japan to repeal 'discriminatory' law restricting remarriage of pregnant women

Japan's space agency revealed that on Wednesday (October 12) it had to send a self-destruct instruction to its Epsilon rocket after a failed launch. The rocket was found to be unsafe to fly. &nbsp;

The country's public broadcaster NHK and other local media reported that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) admitted that a problem had been discovered.&nbsp;

NHK also said that it was the first failure of a major Japanese rocket launch since 2003, and the first of the Epsilon series of rockets.&nbsp;

With Epsilon, Japan was to launch a variety of technology-demonstrating payloads to orbit and the mission was called Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration 3. This was Japan's first orbital liftoff of 2022.&nbsp;

Epsilon was flying RAISE 3 (Rapid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite 3), which is a roughly 100 kilograms spacecraft. It was carrying seven separate technologies that were supposed to get a test in Earth orbit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dart-mission-altered-the-orbital-path-of-the-asteroid-confirms-nasa-524603">DART mission altered the orbital path of the asteroid, confirms NASA</a>&nbsp;

The space agency had also provided a live stream of the launch from Uchinoura Space Center in the southern Kagoshima region but it was interrupted. Without giving any details, the presenters said that some problems have occurred.&nbsp;

Notably, the solid-fuel Epsilon rocket has been successfully launched five times. It has been in service since 2013. On being compared with other similar rockets, the Epsilon rocket is smaller than the country's previous liquid-fuelled model. Also, it is a successor to Japan's solid-fuel M-5 rocket which was retired in 2006 due to its high cost.&nbsp;

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Japan's space agency revealed that on Wednesday (October 12) it had to send a self-destruct instruction to its Epsilon rocket after a failed launch. The rocket was found to be unsafe to fly.

Japan's space agency revealed that on Wednesday (October 12) it had to send a self-destruct instruction to its Epsilon rocket after a failed launch. The rocket was found to be unsafe to fly. The country's public broadcaster NHK and other local media reported that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) admitted that a problem had been discovered. NHK also said that it was the first failure of a major Japanese rocket launch since 2003, and the first of the Epsilon series of rockets. With Epsilon, Japan was to launch a variety of technology-demonstrating payloads to orbit and the mission was called Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration 3. This was Japan's first orbital liftoff of 2022. Epsilon was flying RAISE 3 (Rapid Innovative payload demonstration Satellite 3), which is a roughly 100 kilograms spacecraft. It was carrying seven separate technologies that were supposed to get a test in Earth orbit. ALSO READ | DART mission altered the orbital path of the asteroid, confirms NASA The space agency had also provided a live stream of the launch from Uchinoura Space Center in the southern Kagoshima region but it was interrupted. Without giving any details, the presenters said that some problems have occurred. Notably, the solid-fuel Epsilon rocket has been successfully launched five times. It has been in service since 2013. On being compared with other similar rockets, the Epsilon rocket is smaller than the country's previous liquid-fuelled model. Also, it is a successor to Japan's solid-fuel M-5 rocket which was retired in 2006 due to its high cost. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan instructs its space rocket to self-destruct after failed launch

Japan has reopened its doors to tourists after two-and-a-half years of tough Covid-19 restrictions, with officials hoping an influx of travellers enticed by a weak yen will boost the economy.

Tourists return to Japan after more than two years of pandemic isolation

Japan fully reopens to tourists after two years of COVID-19 restrictions. However, shuttered shops and a shortage of hospitality workers threaten the country's hopes for a tourism boom.

Japan reopens borders after two years of pandemic isolation

From tourists flocking to Japan to the 80th birthday of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, here are some impactful images from around the world on 11 October, 2022.

World in Pictures: Tourists flock to Japan; 80th birthday of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan

Japan reopens for tourists after two-and-a-half years of Covid restrictions

On Tuesday, the system to register same-sex partnerships opened for applications in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, said local media reports. This step is largely symbolic since it does not offer the legal benefits of marriage to the LGBTQ community in the country but it is welcomed by rights groups as a small step in the right direction nevertheless.&nbsp;

“The introduction of the system in Tokyo is extremely positive…But partnership is not enough. We basically want legal marriage,” said Soshi Matsuoka, the head of Fair, an LGBTQ rights organization in Tokyo, to the local media. Notably, Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies that does not allow same-sex marriage or civil unions. However, several polls have reportedly indicated that people are largely in favour of same-sex unions.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website, the system is open for couples of whom at least one partner lives, works or studies in the country’s capital city. The couple must be at least 18 years old and not already married or in a partnership. The website also indicated that the applications must be online, the certificates for which will be available from November 1.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-at-turning-point-for-lgbtq-rights-campaigners-390341">Japan at 'turning point' for LGBTQ rights: Campaigners</a>

Local government partnership certification systems have already been introduced in several municipalities across Japan. However, since Tokyo accounts for more than 10% of the country’s population (125 million) its change in policies has a larger impact, said media reports.&nbsp;

Japan has an ageing as well as a shrinking population and the lack of provisions like same-sex marriages, it could adversely affect the country’s ability to compete for talent against dozens of countries who have legalised marriage equality, said industry bodies. However, incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of the conservative, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has reportedly urged caution on the issue.&nbsp;

While the general public attitudes have been increasingly positive in recent years, some conservative lawmakers are not entirely on board. Earlier this month, an LDP assemblyman in Aichi Prefecture, Noboru Watanabe, was forced to issue an apology following an online post, where he called same-sex marriage “disgusting”, said the local media.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-in-major-blow-to-lgbtq-rights-court-rules-same-sex-marriage-ban-is-not-unconstitutional-489900">Japan: In major blow to LGBTQ rights, court rules same-sex marriage ban is not unconstitutional</a>

Meanwhile, there have been a series of legal cases challenging Japan’s stance of not recognising same-sex marriage. Earlier this year, in March, marked a partial win for the LGBTQ community in the country with a Japanese court ruling that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is “unconstitutional”, which set a precedent for the right in the future.&nbsp;

However, the victory was short-lived as another court in Osaka ruled against the marriage equality right in the month of June. Furthermore, last month in another court ruling the US-national same-sex spouse of a Japanese citizen was refused residency rights and said it was unconstitutional, reported the media, saying that the two had gotten married in the US.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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On Tuesday, the system to register same-sex partnerships opened for applications in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, said local media reports. This step is largely symbolic since it does not offer the legal benefits of marriage to the LGBTQ community in the country but it is welcomed by rights groups as a small step in the right direction nevertheless.

On Tuesday, the system to register same-sex partnerships opened for applications in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, said local media reports. This step is largely symbolic since it does not offer the legal benefits of marriage to the LGBTQ community in the country but it is welcomed by rights groups as a small step in the right direction nevertheless. “The introduction of the system in Tokyo is extremely positive…But partnership is not enough. We basically want legal marriage,” said Soshi Matsuoka, the head of Fair, an LGBTQ rights organization in Tokyo, to the local media. Notably, Japan is the only country in the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies that does not allow same-sex marriage or civil unions. However, several polls have reportedly indicated that people are largely in favour of same-sex unions. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website, the system is open for couples of whom at least one partner lives, works or studies in the country’s capital city. The couple must be at least 18 years old and not already married or in a partnership. The website also indicated that the applications must be online, the certificates for which will be available from November 1. ALSO READ: Japan at 'turning point' for LGBTQ rights: Campaigners Local government partnership certification systems have already been introduced in several municipalities across Japan. However, since Tokyo accounts for more than 10% of the country’s population (125 million) its change in policies has a larger impact, said media reports. Japan has an ageing as well as a shrinking population and the lack of provisions like same-sex marriages, it could adversely affect the country’s ability to compete for talent against dozens of countries who have legalised marriage equality, said industry bodies. However, incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of the conservative, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has reportedly urged caution on the issue. While the general public attitudes have been increasingly positive in recent years, some conservative lawmakers are not entirely on board. Earlier this month, an LDP assemblyman in Aichi Prefecture, Noboru Watanabe, was forced to issue an apology following an online post, where he called same-sex marriage “disgusting”, said the local media. ALSO READ: Japan: In major blow to LGBTQ rights, court rules same-sex marriage ban is not unconstitutional Meanwhile, there have been a series of legal cases challenging Japan’s stance of not recognising same-sex marriage. Earlier this year, in March, marked a partial win for the LGBTQ community in the country with a Japanese court ruling that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is “unconstitutional”, which set a precedent for the right in the future. However, the victory was short-lived as another court in Osaka ruled against the marriage equality right in the month of June. Furthermore, last month in another court ruling the US-national same-sex spouse of a Japanese citizen was refused residency rights and said it was unconstitutional, reported the media, saying that the two had gotten married in the US. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan: Tokyo opens applications for same-sex partnership system

Japan throws open its doors to visitors this week after more than two years of pandemic isolation with hopes for a tourism boom face tough headwinds amid shuttered shops and a shortage of hospitality workers.

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North Korea said that its recent missile drills were a simulation for launching nuclear strikes on the South. A UN report claims North Korea is at the final stage of preparations to test nuclear weapons. Priyanka Sharma tells you what's happening in North Korea.

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There are simmering tensions in the Japan region as North Korea fired two ballistic missiles outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, making it their seventh launch. Toshiro Ino, Japan's Defence Minister, said "These actions by North Korea are a threat to peace and security of our country, region and the international community."

North Korean missile falls outside Japan's exclusive economic zone; Japan's Defence Minister reacts

In light of North Korea's ongoing missile launches, the United States and Japan are conducting a combined military exercise with the American aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan in the vicinity of Japan, the Japanese defence ministry announced on Saturday.&nbsp;

On Thursday, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the ocean with Japan as their target. The launch was the first since Pyongyang flew an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Tuesday and the sixth in the past 12 days.

"Amid an increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, including North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches, Japan Self-Defence Forces and U.S. Armed Forces have been conducting a bilateral exercise," the ministry said in a statement.

The combined exercise, in which a Japanese destroyer is taking part, has been going on since October 1st, according to the announcement. It was unclear when it was supposed to end.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-mocks-kremlin-over-blast-on-key-bridge-crucial-to-russian-war-effort-523577">Ukraine mocks Kremlin over blast on 'key' bridge crucial to Russian war effort</a>

This week, joint drills between the United States and South Korea were conducted.&nbsp;

According to a statement from North Korea's state media KCNA on Saturday, the defence ministry was "taking a stern look at the development of the current situation, which is very worrisome," about the US-South Korean drills.

(with inputs from agencies)

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In light of North Korea's ongoing missile launches, the United States and Japan are conducting a combined military exercise with the American aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan in the vicinity of Japan, the Japanese defence ministry announced on Saturday.

In light of North Korea's ongoing missile launches, the United States and Japan are conducting a combined military exercise with the American aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan in the vicinity of Japan, the Japanese defence ministry announced on Saturday. On Thursday, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the ocean with Japan as their target. The launch was the first since Pyongyang flew an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Tuesday and the sixth in the past 12 days. "Amid an increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, including North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches, Japan Self-Defence Forces and U.S. Armed Forces have been conducting a bilateral exercise," the ministry said in a statement. The combined exercise, in which a Japanese destroyer is taking part, has been going on since October 1st, according to the announcement. It was unclear when it was supposed to end. Also Read: Ukraine mocks Kremlin over blast on 'key' bridge crucial to Russian war effort This week, joint drills between the United States and South Korea were conducted. According to a statement from North Korea's state media KCNA on Saturday, the defence ministry was "taking a stern look at the development of the current situation, which is very worrisome," about the US-South Korean drills. (with inputs from agencies)

US and Japan conduct joint military drill involving aircraft carrier in Sea of Japan

Japan & South Korea fear North Korea could conduct a nuclear test. Will Kim Jong Un conduct a nuclear test during the Communist Party Congress? Molly Gambhir tells you.

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is facing accusations of nepotism after he appointed his inexperienced son to be his executive secretary.

WION Fineprint | Japanese PM Kishida faces backlash over son's appointment

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