Fumio Kishida Archives - The Online Citizen

Japan says North Korea ‘ballistic missile launch’ violates UN resolutions

Japan strongly condemned North Korea’s launch of a “ballistic missile” that violated UN Security Council resolutions. The launch, which North Korea claimed was an attempt to put a satellite in space, raised concerns about the country’s development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Japan activated its missile alert warning system but reported no damage.

The Online Citizen
31 May 2023

AFP
Japan

Japan wants ‘constructive, stable’ ties with China: PM

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said he wants “constructive and stable” ties with China and has called on Beijing to behave “responsibly”. Ties between the two countries have been tense in recent years, with Japan calling China the country’s “greatest strategic challenge ever” in December 2021. Kishida, who met Chinese President Xi Jinping last year, said maintaining “peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait” was important, but declined to be drawn on how Japan might respond to an invasion. Japan is this year’s G7 host, and this week the group’s foreign ministers warned China on everything from maritime claims to Taiwan.

The Online Citizen
20 April 2023

Japanese Prime Minister visits India to strengthen ties amid shared concerns about China

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in India to discuss strengthening trade and technology ties and shared concerns over China. The Quad alliance, comprised of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia, aims to counter China’s growing assertiveness in Asia. Kishida’s visit follows talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, who will host all Quad leaders in May. Modi and Kishida were expected to announce initiatives on clean energy, digital trade, and infrastructure under the wider Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

The Online Citizen
20 March 2023

Japan PM pledges aid in ‘last chance’ to boost birthrate

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has promised to increase child allowances and paid parental leave, stating that the country’s declining population requires immediate action. Kishida unveiled proposals such as increasing allowances for younger children, boosting wages for young people, and tackling the cost of higher education. The prime minister aims to have 50% of new fathers taking parental leave by 2025 and 80% by 2030. To achieve this, he proposed measures, including offering allowances to companies encouraging paternity leave and pledged more pay when both parents take leave.

The Online Citizen
17 March 2023

Japan, South Korea thaw ties to tackle regional threats

Japan and South Korea have ended their trade dispute and pledged renewed diplomacy at a summit in Tokyo, with both leaders agreeing to regular reciprocal visits. The neighbours have been locked in a bitter dispute for years over Japan’s use of wartime forced labour, which deteriorated after South Korea’s Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Japanese firms to compensate victims of forced labour. However, relations have thawed with Seoul announcing a plan to pay those affected without Tokyo’s involvement. The resumption of “shuttle diplomacy” and reciprocal visits aims to build confidence and form a united front against regional challenges, including North Korea.