Politics

Japanese animation guru Hayao Miyazaki wishes one of his industry's most famous fans -- the prime minister -- would just keep quiet about his avowed love of manga comic books. (AFP)

Japanese defense officials said Thursday a Maritime Self- Defense Force destroyer failed to shoot down a mock ballistic missile in space with a U.S.-developed interceptor over Hawaii. (Kyodo)

Japanese defense officials said Thursday a Maritime Self- Defense Force destroyer failed to shoot down a mock ballistic missile in space with a U.S.-developed interceptor over Hawaii. (Kyodo)

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso apologised Wednesday for appearing to insult doctors, an important political interest group, by saying many of them lack common sense. (Reuters)

Japan and Australia said Wednesday they were doing everything they could to diplomatically resolve an emotionally charged dispute over whaling, though officials' remarks showed divisions remained deep. (AFP)

Japan is considering sending a naval mission to guard its cargo ships off Somalia where pirates have seized several vessels, lobby groups said Wednesday. (Dow Jones)

(Kyodo)

(Asahi)

(Kyodo)

(Kyodo)

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso’s political troubles deepened on Monday as a poll showed his approval rating has dropped below 30 per cent and the opposition threatened to boycott parliamentary proceedings. (The News)

(Kyodo)

(Stars and Stripes)

(Kyodo)

(politicalaffairs.net)

(Kyodo)

(Asia Times)

(Kyodo)

India and Japan's agreement in October to expand cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), in the field of disaster management, has the raised the ire of a China fearful that the US is masterminding a powerful space alliance between its allies in the region. (Asia Times)

President Lee Myung Bak said that Emperor Akihito of Japan could learn from the actions of the late German Chancellor Willy Brandt, who fell to his knees in 1970 at the monument that marks the victims of the Nazis in the Warsaw uprising. (telegraph.co.uk)