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Saturday, January 3, 2026
TopicUS-Japan

Topic: US-Japan

US B-52s join Japan jets in show of force after China-Russia drills heighten regional tension

China denied Tokyo’s accusation about the carrier aircraft encounter, saying Japanese jets had endangered its air operations south of Japan.

Takaichi channels Abe & wins over Trump

Trump calls Takaichi 'one of the greatest prime ministers' & offers her 'anything you want'.

US-Japan close to signing joint document on securing rare earth minerals

Trump and Takaichi plan to sign a deal Tuesday to boost economic security after China tightened rare earth export controls vital for products from smartphones to fighter jets.

Japan ready to compile extra budget to offset U.S. tariff impact, says PM Ishiba

Following a major defeat in last month’s upper house polls, PM Ishiba’s coalition faces pressure from opposition parties to raise spending and slash Japan’s sales tax.

Trade deal signed with Japan includes 15% tariff, says Trump

According to the US president, the deal involves $550 Bn in Japanese investments and expanded market access for American cars, rice, and other agricultural goods.

The US-China dispute over fentanyl drug & why Japan is caught in the crossfire

Fentanyl is considered a major driver of the US opioid crisis. US-China conflict stems from allegations that Beijing insufficiently regulates exports of precursor chemicals for fentanyl.

Japan is stepping back from NATO, not Indo-Pacific ties—China is watching the cracks closely

Japan sent a lower-level delegate to the NATO summit. Chinese analysts frame it as a broader strategic awakening: a resistance to Cold War-style blocs imposed by external powers.

Trump reaffirms security partnership with Japan, announces $1 billion defence sales to country

Trump met Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba at the White House after the former's comments on possibly absorbing Canada as a US state, Greenland, etc have raised concerns among US allies.

Japan, US to form missile plan in case of Taiwan emergency, news agency Kyodo reports

Under the plan, the U.S. would deploy missile units to the Nansei Islands of Japan's southwestern Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, and to the Philippines, the report says.

US-Japan-Philippines trilateral isn’t just about development. China is at its core

Simply forming minilateral arrangements to counter China hasn’t proved effective so far. They need to take tangible actions.

On Camera

India’s urban co-op banks are turning the page—crisis to cautious revival, one metric at a time

With bad loans shrinking & capital buffers stronger, urban co-op banks’ new umbrella body NUCFDC is now prioritising rollout of digital transformation.

Greece looking at TATA’s WhAP infantry combat vehicle for army procurement

If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.