It was a ‘joint exercise' for the cameras: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Japan’s defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi did the morning workout together before their recent talks in Washington. The man-bonding was seen as a symbol of the alliance between the two countries. It was also mocked.

'Joint exercise': Pentagon chief, visiting Japanese defence minister do push-ups, weights ahead of bilateral talks | Watch

The election committee chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party resigned Monday after they suffered their worst result since 2009, a party official said.

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s election committee chief resigns, says official 

With just 10 days until Japan’s ruling party elects a new leader—and prime minister—the race remains too close to call. Frontrunners include Shigeru Ishiba, a security expert, Shinjiro Koizumi, the youthful son of a former prime minister, and Sanae Takaichi, an ultra-conservative minister recently favored in a new poll. Explore the key candidates and what this election could mean for Japan's future.

Japan elections: Ruling party to elect Kishida's successor on September 27

Japanese environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi created ripples in the country after his announcement of taking a paternity leave once he becomes a father. The minister now seeks to avail two weeks of leave, spread over three months, after the birth of his baby boy on Friday.

Paternity leave row: Japanese minister welcomes baby boy, looks forward to balancing public duties with child care

The announcement from Japanese environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who had a boy on Friday (January 17), of taking paternity leave has been welcomed by Japanese citizens. Koizumi, son of charismatic former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi and seen as a future leader himself, said on Wednesday (January 15) he was planning to take two weeks of leave over three months, in an effort to become a role model for Japan's working fathers. Watch video to know more:

'Hope my boss would say OK': Japanese welcome minister Koizumi's paternity leave