Heavy snow brought travel chaos to Japan's northern prefecture of Niigata on Tuesday (December 20), causing the cancellation of trains and traffic jams up to 20 kilometres long, according to Japan's public broadcaster, NHK.

There is no end to the snow in Japan!

The Japanese government on Friday (Dec 16) approved a major $320 billion military overhaul. This is one of the most significant defence money invested in decades by Japan, which for long has been a pacifist country.

Japan approves $320bn defence overhaul, says China poses 'greatest strategic threat' 

As North Korea condemns Japan's new security strategy, military tensions are escalating between the two nations. North Korea has been warned of counteraction by Japan against such intrepid remarks.

Military tensions are escalating as North Korea condemns Japan's new security strategy

The majority of Japanese citizens are against the government raising taxes to fund the nation's military expansion. On Sunday, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that as per its survey, more than 60 per cent of the people are against the decision.

Japan citizens oppose government plans to increase taxes to fund $320 billion military expansion

In a move to counter to growing threats from rivals, Japan has unveiled a new national security plan, signalling the country's biggest military buildup since the World War II. Watch the video to know more.

Japan unveils new national security plan, passes $320 billion military plan

World population crosses 8 billion Cash for kids: Japan to pay people extra to improve birth rate Experts: China's ageing population is a major threat to its future India: Can demographic dividend turn into liability? Watch Population Boom: Boon or Bane?

WION Wideangle | Population boom: boon or bane?

Japan has approved a new defence policy. It plans to increase its defence budget to 2% of its GDP by 2027. This is to counter the threat posed by China.

WION Fineprint | Japan opts for militarisation

Sony Group is considering investing several billion dollars to build a new factory to make smartphone image sensors in western Japan's Kumamoto prefecture.

World Business Watch: Sony plans smartphone sensor factory in Japan

There has been a rise in the number of drunk people dying in Japan. It's because they have been napping on busy streets after getting drunk.

WION Fineprint | Drunk Japanese people getting run over

Japanese authorities are hoping that the promise of some more money will help people add a kid to their family. Are an extra $582 enough to convince people? @MollyGambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Japan plans to pay people to have babies

South Korea, Japan and the United States are set to coordinate sanctions and close gaps in the international sanctions against North Korea. Watch this video to know more.

South Korea, U.S. and Japan to coordinate sanctions on North Korea

Japan is paying people to encourage them to add a kid to their family in an attempt to boost its low and decreasing birth rate for some time. A 420,000 yen Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant is now being given to new parents in Japan following the birth of their child. Watch this to know more.

Japan is paying people to have babies

The kanji character "sen," meaning war or battle has been selected on Monday (December 12) as the symbol for 2022—a year that is marked by the Russia-Ukraine war, the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe, and other international conflicts.

Japan: Symbol that represents war picked as kanji character of the year

A Japanese space startup ispace has launched its own private lander to the Moon aboard a SpaceX rocket. Ispace Inc's HAKUTO-R mission took off without incident from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Japan's ispace launches world's first commercial moon lander

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japan is hoping that the promise of some more money in the bank would encourage more people to add a kid to their family.

Japan to pay people to have babies in an attempt to boost declining birth rate

A senior lawmaker from Japan's ruling liberal democratic party has said that his country needs to increase its military spending while it faces a threat from China and North Korea. Kōichi Hagiuda made the comments while in Taiwan where he is attending a forum about Taiwan-Japan relations.

Tensions in the Korean peninsula, Japan aims to increase defence spending

It is a boom for private players in the space industry as they are aiming for the moon and Japan is the latest to join the bandwagon. A Tokyo based startup, Ispace, launched a spacecraft to the moon on Sunday.

Japan launches first commercial moon lander; NASA's lunar flashlight onboard as well

After US, now Japan is increasingly getting closer to Taiwan. A delegate from Japan, made a visit to the self-governing island. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met a senior member of Japan's ruling liberal Democratic party. President has pledged deepen security cooperation with Tokyo to ensure freedom in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan lawmaker visits Taiwan; Tokyo, Taipei reaffirm relations

A high-level US delegation is traveling to China this week. The visit comes as a follow-up on US President Joe Biden's recent talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Two US officials to visit China, South Korea, Japan; visit comes as a follow-up to Biden-Xi meet

The first lunar rover from the United Arab Emirates and a toy-like Japanese robot that is designed to roll around in space in the grey dust were launched on board a SpaceX rocket by a Tokyo business on Sunday.

Japanese company's lander heads for the moon with UAE rover on SpaceX rocket

How often do you hear of someone buying a bomb shelter? This one lady in Japan has bought a bomb shelter amid fears of missile attacks from North Korea and Russia.

Japan: Citizen buys bomb shelters amid fears of attack from North Korea

The Japanese Parliament has approved a law banning religious groups and other organizations from maliciously asking for and receiving donations.

Japan: Country passes funds law amid 'cult-like' Church controversy

North Korea has been testing a barrage of missiles while some are falling in the sea, alarming the neighbours - South Korea - some missiles have flown close to Japan, with one missile even flying over Japan. Now, some Japanese are taking over themselves to protect themselves in case of a missile hit. Watch this video to know more.

Fear of North Korean missiles: Increase in demand for bomb shelters in Japan

The United Kingdom announced Friday (December 9) that in collaboration with Italy and Japan, it will work to develop next-generation fighter jets, designed to rival enemy warplanes.

'Ambitious endeavour': Britain, Japan and Italy to jointly develop next-generation fighter jet

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