Asia

Abe becomes first Japan PM to visit Australia’s Darwin since WW2 bombing

Editorial Bureau November 17, 2018

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday became Japan’s first leader to visit the Australian city of Darwin since it was bombed by Japanese forces during World War Two, underlining the strength of their crucial alliance. Abe and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Asia

North Korea tests new ‘tactical’ weapon, releases U.S. prisoner

Editorial Bureau November 17, 2018

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – North Korea’s leader witnessed the test of a newly developed high-tech weapon, the country’s state media reported on Friday, while Pyongyang also released a U.S. prisoner, sending conflicting signals at a time of sensitive negotiations. Kim Jong Un’s visit to the test site of what North Korea’s state media called a

Asia

U.S.-China divisions take centre stage at APEC summit

Editorial Bureau November 17, 2018

PORT MORESBY (Reuters) – The United States and China swapped barbs over trade, investment and regional security at an Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit on Saturday, as growing fault lines among members suggested little prospect of consensus at the weekend meeting. Speaking in the Papua New Guinean capital, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said […]

Asia

Pakistan’s new rulers grapple with an old problem: How to get people to pay taxes

Editorial Bureau November 16, 2018

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Muhammad Hammad Azhar, one of the youngest ministers in Pakistan’s new government, is the latest in a long line of officials to face a problem that undermines his country’s development: getting people to start paying income taxes. Ending a culture of rampant tax evasion is expected to be high on the agenda […]

Asia

Trump’s summit no-show draws Asian nations closer together

Editorial Bureau November 16, 2018

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump didn’t make it to this week’s summit of Asian nations in Singapore, but his influence was still keenly felt among the leaders who gathered in the city. One prime minister warned that the trade war between Washington and Beijing could trigger a “domino effect” of protectionist steps by […]

Asia

Olympics – Japan’s cybersecurity minister contradicts ‘never used a computer’ comment

Editorial Bureau November 16, 2018

TOKYO (Reuters) – Two days after saying he never used a computer, Japan’s cybersecurity and Olympics minister Yoshitaka Sakurada has now contradicted himself, claiming he uses a computer at work. The 68-year-old is responsible for overseeing cybersecurity preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Games and his comment on Wednesday at a parliamentary committee meeting has

Asia

Philippines court defers Marcos arrest after her graft conviction

Editorial Bureau November 16, 2018

ANILA (Reuters) – Former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos was granted bail on Friday after convincing a court to defer her arrest following her conviction a week ago for massive graft. The move leaves Marcos free to prepare what could be a lengthy legal challenge, but will further fuel criticism of special treatment for a […]

Asia

Japan PM tells Putin no U.S. bases on disputed isles if handed over – Asahi

Editorial Bureau November 16, 2018

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, eager to resolve a row that has haunted ties with Moscow since World War Two, has told Russian President Vladimir Putin the United States would not put troops on disputed islands if they are handed over to Japan, a newspaper reported on Friday. Seeking to cement his […]

Asia

Pence says “empire and aggression” have no place in Indo-Pacific

Editorial Bureau November 15, 2018

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told leaders of Southeast Asian nations on Thursday that there was no place for “empire and aggression” in the Indo-Pacific region, a comment that could be interpreted as a reference to China’s rise. Pence did not mention China in his remarks at the opening of a summit […]

Asia

Japan cybersecurity and Olympics minister: “I’ve never used a computer”

Editorial Bureau November 15, 2018

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s recently appointed cybersecurity and Olympics minister has told parliament he has never used a computer in his life, though he is responsible for overseeing cybersecurity preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games. Yoshitaka Sakurada, 68, was named to the two posts last month by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, having never held […]