Fast, factual wire coverage from across Malaysia and the region.
Japan's defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi notably stayed away, reflecting diplomatic caution amid rising tensions with China and Korea.
%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fpattern%3E%3C%2Fdefs%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph5t32lg)%22%2F%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22100%25%22%20fill%3D%22url(%23ph5t32lp)%22%2F%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20fill%3D%22rgba(255%2C255%2C255%2C0.95)%22%20font-family%3D%22Georgia%2C%20'Times%20New%20Roman'%2C%20serif%22%20font-weight%3D%22700%22%20font-size%3D%22272%22%20letter-spacing%3D%22-0.02em%22%3EJapan%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made a ritual offering to the Yasukuni shrine on the 81st anniversary of World War II's conclusion, while Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the site in person. The gesture reignites sensitivities across Asia.
A resurfaced 2002 debate video has reignited criticism of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's historical revisionism. She had claimed Japan's aggression in China was 'self-defence,' drawing condemnation from scholars and fellow politicians.
Japan's parliament has approved amendments to its imperial succession law, permitting adoption of distant male relatives and allowing women to retain royal status after marriage. However, lawmakers rejected proposals to allow women to become emperor despite strong public backing.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval rating has fallen below 50 per cent for the first time since her October ascension to power, with particularly sharp declines among older demographics and growing public concerns over her policies.
Japan's parliament has approved new rules to combat fake and distorted information on social media during elections, taking effect in March 2027, though the measures lack enforcement powers unlike EU regulations.
Japan's lower house has passed legislation to reform the 1947 Imperial House Law, allowing adoption of male descendants from former imperial branches and permitting female members to keep imperial status after marrying commoners.