North Korea has fired a missile over Japan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of both Japan and the U.S.

North Korea fires a missile over Japan in a deliberate escalation?

North Korea fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan, escalating tests of weapons designed to strike key targets in regional US allies.

North Korea fires intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan

Japan Airlines (JAL) could be the first one that can fly supersonic aircraft, that are going to make a re-entry in the aviation market nearly two decades after the last flight of Concorde.

World Business Watch: Japan's JAL likely to be first one who can fly supersonic plane

North Korea sends missile soaring over Japan in escalation

Japanese manufacturer' business mood worsened in the three months to September and corporate inflation expectations hit a record high, as stubbornly high material costs clouded the outlook for the fragile economy.

World Business Watch: Japan's business mood worsens in Q3 as costs cloud outlook

Japan PM Fumio Kishida will consider more steps to cushion the blow of rising electricity bills, underscoring the pressure it faces in addressing the burden on households of higher prices for imports from a weak yen.

Japan PM Fumio Kishida vows to ease pain of high electricity bills

Rising prices bring another pinch to Japanese households. According to a research firm, prices for near 6700 food and beverage products will be hiked in October as Japan deals with a weakening currency.

Inflation in Japan: Unprecedented rise in cost of food & beverages

Flamboyant Japanese professional wrestler turned politician Antonio Inoki died Saturday aged 79, according to a company he founded.

His death, which public broadcaster NHK said was from heart failure, brought to an end a varied life in the public eye, during which Inoki fought Muhammad Ali, fostered close personal ties with North Korea, and helped free hostages in Iraq.

The Yokohama native -- born Kanji Inoki -- also starred in American wrestling promotions, as well as serving two separate terms in Japan's legislature.

US wrestling legend Triple H tweeted that Inoki was "one of the most important figures in the history of our business, and a man who embodied the term 'fighting spirit'".

"The legacy of WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki will live on forever," added the chief operating officer of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

"Antonio Inoki, the founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and former professional wrestler, died in Tokyo," the group said in a statement.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/louis-mckechnie-climate-change-activist-gets-prison-sentence-for-tying-himself-to-goalpost-521369">Louis McKechnie: Climate change activist gets prison sentence for tying himself to goalpost</a>

Standing 1.9 metres (six feet three inches) tall, Inoki was a pioneer of mixed martial arts in Japan, and shot to fame in 1976 for taking on world heavyweight champion Ali in a zany wrestler-versus-boxer bout in Tokyo.

There followed appearances in the WWF, as WWE was then known. The company said Saturday: "One of the key figures in the history of Japanese wrestling, Antonio Inoki&nbsp;was&nbsp;among the most respected men in sports-entertainment and a bona fide legend in his homeland."

In 1989 Inoki was elected as an upper-house lawmaker for the now-defunct Sports and Peace Party.

Prior to the 1990 Gulf War, he travelled to Iraq to secure the release of Japanese hostages.

Having built a strong personal connection with North Korea over the years, Inoki travelled there dozens of times to help resolve the issue of Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese citizens during the Cold War.

The wrestler said he wanted to "contribute to world peace through sports" and had arranged martial arts and wrestling festivals in North Korea, often meeting high-ranking officials during his visits.

Japanese officials dismissed the trips as a sideshow.

Asked about them at the time, the then chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga pointedly reminded journalists that Tokyo had a travel ban in place for North Korea, urging the politician to "act appropriately".

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-dont-think-theres-a-big-difference-sebastian-vettels-take-on-f1-2022-new-rules-521264">I don't think there's a big difference: Sebastian Vettel's take on F1 2022 new rules</a>

However, Japanese television news provided blanket coverage of Inoki's trip and the visits continued to prompt interest, given the lack of details leaking out about life in North Korea.

Inoki, unmistakable from his outsized chin and trademark tie and red scarf, also forced the government to take an official position about aliens when he tabled a question in a budgetary committee in 2017, saying he had seen a mysterious flying object disappearing over the horizon.

Inoki lost his seat in 1995 and retired as a wrestler in 1998, but was re-elected to the upper house in 2013 as a member of a different opposition party. He retired from politics in 2019, and a year later said he had been diagnosed with heart disease. 
&nbsp;

Flamboyant Japanese professional wrestler turned politician Antonio Inoki died Saturday aged 79, according to a company he founded. His death, which public broadcaster NHK said was from heart failure, brought to an end a varied life in the public eye, during which Inoki fought Muhammad Ali, fostered close personal ties with North Korea, and helped free hostages in Iraq.

Flamboyant Japanese professional wrestler turned politician Antonio Inoki died Saturday aged 79, according to a company he founded. His death, which public broadcaster NHK said was from heart failure, brought to an end a varied life in the public eye, during which Inoki fought Muhammad Ali, fostered close personal ties with North Korea, and helped free hostages in Iraq. The Yokohama native -- born Kanji Inoki -- also starred in American wrestling promotions, as well as serving two separate terms in Japan's legislature. US wrestling legend Triple H tweeted that Inoki was "one of the most important figures in the history of our business, and a man who embodied the term 'fighting spirit'". "The legacy of WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki will live on forever," added the chief operating officer of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). "Antonio Inoki, the founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and former professional wrestler, died in Tokyo," the group said in a statement. Also Read: Louis McKechnie: Climate change activist gets prison sentence for tying himself to goalpost Standing 1.9 metres (six feet three inches) tall, Inoki was a pioneer of mixed martial arts in Japan, and shot to fame in 1976 for taking on world heavyweight champion Ali in a zany wrestler-versus-boxer bout in Tokyo. There followed appearances in the WWF, as WWE was then known. The company said Saturday: "One of the key figures in the history of Japanese wrestling, Antonio Inoki was among the most respected men in sports-entertainment and a bona fide legend in his homeland." In 1989 Inoki was elected as an upper-house lawmaker for the now-defunct Sports and Peace Party. Prior to the 1990 Gulf War, he travelled to Iraq to secure the release of Japanese hostages. Having built a strong personal connection with North Korea over the years, Inoki travelled there dozens of times to help resolve the issue of Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese citizens during the Cold War. The wrestler said he wanted to "contribute to world peace through sports" and had arranged martial arts and wrestling festivals in North Korea, often meeting high-ranking officials during his visits. Japanese officials dismissed the trips as a sideshow. Asked about them at the time, the then chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga pointedly reminded journalists that Tokyo had a travel ban in place for North Korea, urging the politician to "act appropriately". Also Read: I don't think there's a big difference: Sebastian Vettel's take on F1 2022 new rules However, Japanese television news provided blanket coverage of Inoki's trip and the visits continued to prompt interest, given the lack of details leaking out about life in North Korea. Inoki, unmistakable from his outsized chin and trademark tie and red scarf, also forced the government to take an official position about aliens when he tabled a question in a budgetary committee in 2017, saying he had seen a mysterious flying object disappearing over the horizon. Inoki lost his seat in 1995 and retired as a wrestler in 1998, but was re-elected to the upper house in 2013 as a member of a different opposition party. He retired from politics in 2019, and a year later said he had been diagnosed with heart disease.

Japan wrestling legend Antonio Inoki dies at 79

Japan is known for its Nintendo games, Lexus sports cars and bullet trains. You would imagine for the Japanese to be very digital savvy but Japan seems to love its old technology, its fax machines, its floppy disks and the traditional Hanco seals but now Japan's digital Minister has declared a war on retro tech.

Japan: Digital Minister aims to wrestle the country out of analog doldrums

North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of the east coast today. This is Pyongyang's fourth round of weapons launches this week and are seen as a response to military drills among its rivals. South Korea, Japan and the United States staged the anti-submarine drills on Friday.

North Korea's fourth missile launch in a week, comes after military drills by rivals

Amid tensions over North Korea's recent series of missile tests, the naval forces of South Korea, the United States of America and Japan are holding major trilateral anti-submarine exercises for the first time in five years. The drills are being held in international waters of the Korean peninsula's east coat.

WION Dispatch: South Korea, US and Japan stage anti-submarine drills | Latest English News

A health ministry panel suggested on Thursday that Japan should permit the use of cannabis-based medications, opening the door for a potential historic change of the nation's draconian drug prohibitions.

The group actually suggested strengthening regulations on marijuana use for non-medical purposes, thus the change will not have any impact on Japan's zero-tolerance policy on marijuana use for recreational purposes.

International celebrities have fallen victim to Japan's strict anti-cannabis legislation, including Beatle Paul McCartney, who was detained for nine days in 1980 when the substance was discovered in his luggage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-south-korea-and-japan-conduct-trilateral-anti-submarine-drills-521078">United States, South Korea and Japan conduct trilateral anti-submarine drills</a>

However, the government has been debating allowing the use of cannabis-based medications, which are already used in many nations to treat ailments such severe epilepsy.

The government should change the regulations to permit the import and production of medications made with cannabis-derived ingredients, the expert panel for the health ministry suggested on Thursday.

But it also advocated for tightening the law to make it clear that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-launches-long-awaited-review-of-its-cannabis-regulations-518952">cannabis usage</a> for recreational purposes is illegal.

This would address a security breach created to prevent farmers from being detained for consuming marijuana while cultivating hemp for products like rope.

The advice comes as products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating ingredient in cannabis, become more and more well-liked overseas and in Japan.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A health ministry panel suggested on Thursday that Japan should permit the use of cannabis-based medications, opening the door for a potential historic change of the nation's draconian drug prohibitions.

A health ministry panel suggested on Thursday that Japan should permit the use of cannabis-based medications, opening the door for a potential historic change of the nation's draconian drug prohibitions. The group actually suggested strengthening regulations on marijuana use for non-medical purposes, thus the change will not have any impact on Japan's zero-tolerance policy on marijuana use for recreational purposes. International celebrities have fallen victim to Japan's strict anti-cannabis legislation, including Beatle Paul McCartney, who was detained for nine days in 1980 when the substance was discovered in his luggage. Also read | United States, South Korea and Japan conduct trilateral anti-submarine drills However, the government has been debating allowing the use of cannabis-based medications, which are already used in many nations to treat ailments such severe epilepsy. The government should change the regulations to permit the import and production of medications made with cannabis-derived ingredients, the expert panel for the health ministry suggested on Thursday. But it also advocated for tightening the law to make it clear that cannabis usage for recreational purposes is illegal. This would address a security breach created to prevent farmers from being detained for consuming marijuana while cultivating hemp for products like rope. The advice comes as products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating ingredient in cannabis, become more and more well-liked overseas and in Japan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Japan panel advises legalising cannabis-based medicines

South Korea, along with the United States and Japan, conducted their first anti-submarine drills in almost five years on Friday. The drills took place just hours after multiple ballistic tests were carried out by North Korea reportedly in response to the earlier military training by US and South Korean military.&nbsp;

According to the official statement from the South Korean military, the one-day training involving the three nations was aimed at creating defenses against North Korea’s strategy to fire missiles from submarines. In the recent past, North Korea has added bigger submarines to its arsenal.&nbsp;

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Besides the bigger and more advanced submarines, North Korea has also been testing specific missiles which are capable of being fired from underwater. As a result, the training focused on tracking and neutralising the threat posed by submarines which are sometimes hard to spot on the radars.&nbsp;

The official statement from the United States military said that the training involved the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as well as the US, South Korean, and Japanese destroyers.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-recognises-independence-of-two-ukraine-regions-521040">Putin recognises independence of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions</a>

“We will respond and neutralize any forms of North Korean provocations in an overwhelming and decisive manner,” Capt. Cho, Chung-Ho, commander of South Korean navy troops, said in a statement.&nbsp;

On Thursday, North Korea tested five ballistic missiles with US Vice President Kamala Harris visiting South Korea as part of her Asian tour. During her visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, she said, “In the South, we see a thriving democracy. In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship.”&nbsp;

South Korea, along with the United States and Japan, conducted their first anti-submarine drills in almost five years on Friday. The drills took place just hours after multiple ballistic tests were carried out by North Korea reportedly in response to the earlier military training by US and South Korean military.

South Korea, along with the United States and Japan, conducted their first anti-submarine drills in almost five years on Friday. The drills took place just hours after multiple ballistic tests were carried out by North Korea reportedly in response to the earlier military training by US and South Korean military. According to the official statement from the South Korean military, the one-day training involving the three nations was aimed at creating defenses against North Korea’s strategy to fire missiles from submarines. In the recent past, North Korea has added bigger submarines to its arsenal. Also read | Death toll remains uncertain as Hurricane Ian causes devastation in Florida Besides the bigger and more advanced submarines, North Korea has also been testing specific missiles which are capable of being fired from underwater. As a result, the training focused on tracking and neutralising the threat posed by submarines which are sometimes hard to spot on the radars. The official statement from the United States military said that the training involved the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as well as the US, South Korean, and Japanese destroyers. Also read | Putin recognises independence of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions “We will respond and neutralize any forms of North Korean provocations in an overwhelming and decisive manner,” Capt. Cho, Chung-Ho, commander of South Korean navy troops, said in a statement. On Thursday, North Korea tested five ballistic missiles with US Vice President Kamala Harris visiting South Korea as part of her Asian tour. During her visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, she said, “In the South, we see a thriving democracy. In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship.”

United States, South Korea and Japan conduct trilateral anti-submarine drills

September 29 marked 50 years of of ties between China & Japan. On this day in 1972, the two countries agreed to normalise relations. 50 years on, Why are the two countries still not friends? Priyanka Sharma explains.

Gravitas: China-Japan mark 50 years of normalisation of ties

Japan and China on Thursday mark the 50th anniversary of the treaty that normalised bilateral relations between the two countries. On September 29, 1972, then-Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signed a communique normalizing their ties and pledging peace and friendship.

Japan, China mark 50 years since normalisation of diplomatic ties as tensions mount

The naval forces of South Korea, the United States of America and Japan will stage their major trilateral anti-submarine exercises for the first time in five years. The drills will be held in international waters of the Korean peninsula's east coast and it comes just a day after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles towards its East Coast.

Drills to counter North Korean threats; S. Korea, Japan and US to stage anti-submarine drills

In a bid to boost America's chip manufacturing sector, US Vice President Kamala Harris met the heads of Japanese semiconductor firms. The meeting comes just a month after US President Biden signed the industrial policy bill into law which aims to boost America's domestic production of chips.

US Vice President Kamala Harris meets heads of Japanese semiconductor firms

On Tuesday, Japan bid a final farewell to its slain Ex-PM Shinzo Abe. The ceremony was attended by PM Narendra Modi & U.S. V-P Kamala Harris among other world leaders. The ceremony was also marked by protests from Japanese citizens. Why? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Japan bids final farewell to Shinzo Abe

United States Vice President Kamala Harris held a meeting Wednesday with Japanese business executives involved in the semiconductor industry for a discussion on increasing investment in US semiconductor manufacturing, strengthening semiconductor supply chains, and bolstering cooperation on semiconductor research and development.

Kamala Harris speaks to Japan's semiconductor business executives in Tokyo

US VP Kamala Harris meets Business Executives of Japanese chip firms in Tokyo

US Vice-President Kamala Harris will attend former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's funeral on Tuesday (September 27) in Tokyo. She also had a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday to reaffirm the US-Japan alliance.

Kamala Harris Asia Tour: US VP Kamala Harris to attend Shinzo Abe's state funeral in Japan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart for Tokyo on Monday evening to attend the state funeral of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, scheduled on Tuesday. During his visit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

WION Dispatch: Indian PM Modi to fly to Tokyo to attend Shinzo Abe's funeral

US Vice-President Kamala Harris met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida soon after arriving in Tokyo. Harris is set to attend former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s funeral on Tuesday.

Kamala Harris Asia Tour: US VP Harris holds talks with Japan's PM Fumio Kishida

Japan is holding a rare state funeral on Tuesday for Shinzo Abe, the assassinated former prime minister, amid a raging controversy over its cost which some estimate to be bigger than the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. His association with Unification Church, which was said to be the motive of the killer, is equally controversial. Critics of the government accuse the church of having an oversize influence over the ruling party.

Several world leaders including US Vice President Kamala Harris and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are attending the funeral of Abe, who was 67 when he was killed.

The longest serving prime minister of Japan was delivering a speech in western Nara city when he was shot dead on July 8 in broad day light by Tetsuya Yamagami, using a homemade gun. Abe was shot in the back. Abe was supporting a Liberal Democratic Party candidate's election campaign. He collapsed at around 11.30 am, was taken to hospital but could not be saved.

Who is the killer?

Tetsuya Yamagami was immediately taken into custody after the shooting for&nbsp;attempted&nbsp;murder.

According to Fuji TV, Shinzo Abe's shooter is former personnel of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force. He had been in the service till 2005. However, officials are yet to make an official announcement.

Later reports said that the killer was dissatisfied with Abe as he promoted Unification Church, to which his mother had donated large sums of money, which reportedly left the family broke.

 
Shinzo Abe's career

Born in 1954, Abe was the Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020.

Abe held the crucial posts of Chief Cabinet Secretary and leader of the opposition in his illustrious career. Abe's career in public life began in 1993 when he was elected to the House of Representatives.

Abe is ideologically inclined towards conservatism. He had been described by commentators as a right-wing Japanese nationalist. He was a member of Nippon Kaigi, a group that denies several key aspects of Japanese history, including the recruitment of 'comfort women' during World War 2.&nbsp;

In August 2020, Shinzo Abe had to resign as the prime minister of Japan due to ulcerative colitis.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Japan is holding a rare state funeral on Tuesday for Shinzo Abe, the assassinated former prime minister, amid a raging controversy over its cost which some estimate to be bigger than the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Japan is holding a rare state funeral on Tuesday for Shinzo Abe, the assassinated former prime minister, amid a raging controversy over its cost which some estimate to be bigger than the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. His association with Unification Church, which was said to be the motive of the killer, is equally controversial. Critics of the government accuse the church of having an oversize influence over the ruling party. Several world leaders including US Vice President Kamala Harris and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are attending the funeral of Abe, who was 67 when he was killed. The longest serving prime minister of Japan was delivering a speech in western Nara city when he was shot dead on July 8 in broad day light by Tetsuya Yamagami, using a homemade gun. Abe was shot in the back. Abe was supporting a Liberal Democratic Party candidate's election campaign. He collapsed at around 11.30 am, was taken to hospital but could not be saved. Who is the killer? Tetsuya Yamagami was immediately taken into custody after the shooting for attempted murder. According to Fuji TV, Shinzo Abe's shooter is former personnel of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force. He had been in the service till 2005. However, officials are yet to make an official announcement. Later reports said that the killer was dissatisfied with Abe as he promoted Unification Church, to which his mother had donated large sums of money, which reportedly left the family broke. Shinzo Abe's career Born in 1954, Abe was the Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020. Abe held the crucial posts of Chief Cabinet Secretary and leader of the opposition in his illustrious career. Abe's career in public life began in 1993 when he was elected to the House of Representatives. Abe is ideologically inclined towards conservatism. He had been described by commentators as a right-wing Japanese nationalist. He was a member of Nippon Kaigi, a group that denies several key aspects of Japanese history, including the recruitment of 'comfort women' during World War 2. In August 2020, Shinzo Abe had to resign as the prime minister of Japan due to ulcerative colitis. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Shinzo Abe, the assassinated ex-PM of Japan, whose rare state funeral is causing a furore

Longest serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had his State funeral today. Abe's ashes were placed in the center of proceedings for guests to pay their respects that was followed by a guard of honour with 19 rounds of cannon fire around 20,000 policemen were deployed around the venue.

Japan: State funeral for Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, cost around $12 million

From Japan's former PM Shinzo Abe's funeral to Rosh Hashanah holiday in Jerusalem, here are some impactful images from around the world on 27 September 2022.

World in Pictures: Japan's former PM Shinzo Abe's funeral; Rosh Hashanah holiday in Jerusalem

A state funeral for Japan's former PM Shinzo Abe has upset Japanese citizens. Thousands are protesting on the streets of Tokyo to make Japan's govt call off the ceremony. Why? Because it's going to cost $11.4 Million. Molly Gambhir tells you more. 

Gravitas: Japanese citizens protest against 'lavish funeral' for Shinzo Abe

Japan is honoring its longest serving prime minister Shinzo Abe. World leaders and official figures in Japan have gathered for the rare state funeral organized for the former Japanese prime minister.

PM Fumio Kishida defends decision to honor Shinzo Abe with rare state funeral

Japan on Tuesday fired cannons to commemorate assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years.

Japan fires cannons to honour assassinated Former PM Shinzo Abe

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Japanese PM Fumio Kishida as Japan is honoring its longest serving former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with the rare state funeral. Both the leaders hold bilateral talks on renewing and deepening ties.

Indian PM Modi and his counterpart Fumio Kishida renew commitment towards deepening ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Japan to attend the state funeral of former PM Shinzo Abe. On the sidelines of his visit, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida during the talks Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences on the demise of Abe who was Japan's longest serving prime minister he also highlighted Abe's contributions to strengthening India Japan partnership.

'India is missing 'Abe-San' says Indian PM Narendra Modi as he condoles Shinzo Abe's death

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