Takeshi Iwaya

Japan and EU announce new defense pact

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell (L) and Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (R) pose following a signing ceremony at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on Nov. 1, 2024.

Japan and the European Union announced a sweeping new security and defense partnership in Tokyo on Nov. 1, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed as a historic and "very timely" step.

Five Missing after Two US Military Planes Crash off Japan

Rescue operations were underway Thursday for five US marines missing after two American military aircraft crashed during a refuelling operation off the coast of Japan, the Japanese defence minister said, reports AFP. 

One crew member has already been rescued and is thought to be in a stable condition, Takeshi Iwaya told reporters.