World - Japan

SINGAPORE (AFP) - Billing himself America's first "Pacific president", Barack Obama on Saturday said the United States did not seek to "contain" China and promised an engaged US role in charting Asia's future. Full Story »

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on Saturday to deepen dialogue with China rather than seek to contain the rising power, as he laid out a vision for greater engagement with a vibrant Asia-Pacific region. Full Story »

TOKYO (AFP) - Barack Obama insisted that the United States was a "Pacific" power and vowed to deepen its engagement in the region as he started his first Asian tour as US president. Full Story »

TOKYO - Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama says a civilian contribution to security in Afghanistan would be more appropriate for his country than continuing its role in providing Indian Ocean refueling assistance to the United States. Full Story »

TOKYO - President Barack Obama says the U.S. and Japan will work quickly to resolve a dispute over American military bases on Okinawa. Full Story »

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama promised on Friday close cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and Japan agreed to host a conference in January on nuclear security. Full Story »

TOKYO - Japanese prosecutors confirmed Friday that they have dropped the case against an American man arrested in Japan when he snatched his children from his ex-wife. Full Story »

HONOLULU - Two captured Japanese submarines scuttled by the U.S. Navy just after World War II have been discovered in the Pacific Ocean south of Pearl Harbor. Full Story »

TOKYO - Tens of thousands of well-wishers gathered outside Japan's moat-ringed Imperial Palace — many shouting "Banzai," a traditional wish for long life — to mark Thursday's 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's coronation to the world's oldest throne. Full Story »

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's Emperor Akihito, celebrating 20 years on the throne Thursday, offered a rare defence of his father's wartime record, saying Japanese aggression had been contrary to his wishes. Full Story »

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Akihito, whose efforts to soothe Asia's bitter wartime memories have been central to his 20 years on the throne, said his biggest worry is that future generations in his country will forget the past. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States welcomed Wednesday a commitment by Japan to give five billion dollars of aid to Afghanistan and to implement quickly an earlier pledge to Pakistan. Full Story »

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan has beefed up security ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama and the 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's accession to the throne later this week, the government said Wednesday. Full Story »

TOKYO - Japanese police said Tuesday that they arrested the main suspect in the slaying of a British teacher whose body was found taped up and half-buried in a sand-filled bathtub, ending a more than two-year manhunt. Full Story »

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan said Tuesday it would give up to five billion dollars in new aid to Afghanistan over the next five years to help rebuild the war-torn nation. Full Story »

TOKYO - Political wrangling by Japan's new government over plans to move a major U.S. Marine base on Okinawa has opened a wide rift in Washington's most important Asian alliance ahead of President Barack Obama's visit later this week. Full Story »

TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese police said on Tuesday they had arrested 30-year-old Tatsuya Ichihashi, the only suspect in the 2007 killing of British teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker, 22. Full Story »

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan said on Tuesday it would give Afghanistan up to $5 billion in new aid, a move Tokyo hopes will improve strained security ties with Washington ahead of President Barack Obama's visit this week. Full Story »