U.S. Seeks Sex Slavery Apology

On a voice vote, the United States House of Representatives approved a resolution demanding an apology from Japan over its military’s sexual enslavement of women in Asia in World War II. “Today, the House will send a message to the government of Japan that it should deliver an official, unequivocal, unambiguous apology for the indignity the ‘comfort women’ suffered,” said Michael M. Honda, a California Democrat who led the nonbinding resolution. The vote was a rare rebuke by Washington politicians of Washington’s closest ally in Asia. An official at the Japanese Embassy in Washington would not comment on the House vote.

Japan’s Prime Minister Holds on Despite Rebuke From Voters

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rejected the urging of opposition politicians, newspaper editorials and even members of his own party that he step down.

Governing Party in Japan Suffers Election Defeat

The opposition party seized control of the upper house, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would not step down.

Japan’s Prime Minister Tries to Avoid Big Loss

The news media were predicting a loss for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party in Sunday’s elections for Japan’s upper house of Parliament.

Japanese Agricultural Minister Accused of Overcharging Government for Private Office Costs

Days before a parliamentary election that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s party is expected to lose, fresh revelations about his scandal-ridden agriculture minister emerged.

Japan’s Leader Faces Defeat, Polls Show

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party faces a significant defeat in this Sunday’s election.

Japan’s Leader Attacked by His Own Party

With Shinzo Abe’s future as prime minister hanging by a thread, politicians from his own party are distancing themselves for their own survival.

Japan’s Quake-Prone Atomic Plant Prompts Wider Worry

The nuclear power plant that was damaged in a deadly earthquake in Japan last week may have unknowingly been built directly on top of an active seismic fault

Bomb by Bomb, Japan Sheds Military Restraints

Japan is blurring the line between defensive and offensive military power in spite of its pacifist Constitution, rattling nerves in northeast Asia.

Kenji Miyamoto, 98, Leader of Japan’s Communist Party, Dies

Mr. Miyamoto emerged from jail in 1945 to lead his party on a jagged postwar course in which it renounced Russian and Chinese Communism in favor of more popular bread-and-butter issues.

Japan’s Elderly Suffer Hardest Shock From Earthquake

All of the people killed, and many of the thousands left homeless, by this week’s earthquake in Japan were older than 65, reflecting the rising vulnerability of one of the world’s most rapidly aging societies.

Japan Nuclear-Site Damage Worse Than Reported

Water leaking from a nuclear power plant stricken by an earthquake was 50 percent more radioactive than initially announced.

Japan Shuts Nuclear Plant After Leak

Tokyo Electric Power, which operates the plant, said it had found more than 50 problems caused by the earthquake on Monday.

Japan Looks for Soldier Remains on Attu

The Japanese government has resumed a search for the remains of World War II soldiers said to be buried in mass graves on the Aleutian island of Attu, U.S. officials said.

Earthquake Shakes Japan’s Northwest Coast

A powerful earthquake in Japan killed at least nine people and injured more than 900, flattening hundreds of buildings and leaving thousands homeless.

Japan Learns Dreaded Task of Jury Duty

Preparing to adopt jury-style trials in 2009, Japan is holding mock trials to overcome cultural obstacles.

Just Like Sturgis, but Serving Sushi With the Corn Dogs

At an annual rally in the shadow of Mount Fuji, 20,000 Harley-Davidson owners gathered to show off their bikes, exchange advice and learn to line dance.

Japan names North Korea and China as security concerns

Japan kept up the pressure on North Korea over its nuclear weapons and missiles and expressed concern about the lack of transparency on China's burgeoning military spending.

Japan Defense Chief Resigns Over Bomb Remark

Four weeks before a crucial parliamentary election that could decide Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s political fate, his gaffe-prone defense minister was forced to resign.

Japan: Scolding Over Atomic Bomb Remarks

Japan’s defense minister was warned by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to be more careful, after he made comments justifying the use of atomic bombs during World War II.

Kiichi Miyazawa, Japan Premier in the ’90s, Dies at 87

The former prime minister and holder of many other top government posts helped guide Japan from postwar ruin to economic superpower.

Asked for Apology, Japan Plays for Time in Sex Slavery Standoff

Even before a U.S. Congressional panel passed a resolution urging Japan to apologize for its wartime sex slavery, the Japanese government said it would have no comment.

NY Times Editorial: Japan’s Tuna Crisis

Along with sharks and other ocean-dwelling species, tuna have been in free fall for decades, in part from rapacious overfishing by big industrial fleets.