Ken Moritsugu, The Associated Press

  • A pro-democracy supporter waves a flag during a rally by the advertising industry in Hong Kong on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
    China to suspend US Navy visits to Hong Kong over new law

    China said Monday it will suspend U.S. military ship and aircraft visits to Hong Kong and sanction several American pro-democracy and human rights groups in retaliation for the signing into law of legislation supporting anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous territory.

  • U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera reviews an honor guard before their meeting at Defense Ministry in Tokyo Friday, June 29, 2018. (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool Photo via AP)
    US, Japan agree to continue joint military exercises

    For the second time in two days, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is trying to assuage an Asian ally’s worries about America’s commitment to the region amid the ongoing denuclearization negotiations with North Korea.

  • Jennifer Appel, right, and Tasha Fuiava speak on the deck of the USS Ashland at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, Monday, Oct. 30, 2017. The U.S. Navy ship arrived at the American Navy base, five days after it picked up the women and their two dogs from their storm-damaged sailboat, 900 miles southeast of Japan. (Koji Ueda/AP)
    US Navy ship with 2 women rescued at sea reaches Japan

    Two women from Hawaii who were adrift on a storm-battered sailboat in the Pacific for months set foot on solid ground Monday at a U.S. Navy base in southern Japan.

  • Caroline Kennedy boosted U.S.-Japan ties as U.S. ambassador

    Caroline Kennedy stepped down Wednesday after three years as U.S. ambassador to Japan, where she was welcomed like a celebrity and worked to deepen the U.S.-Japan relationship despite regular flare-ups over American military bases on the southern island of Okinawa.

  • FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2015 file photo, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Type-89 armored combat vehicles flare up a smoke screen during an annual live firing exercise at Higashi Fuji range in Gotemba, southwest of Tokyo. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, Sept. 19, 2015, Japan took a step toward having a military in line with most armed forces around the world, one that would be able to take part in combat even when the country is not under direct attack. While Japan’s military remains far from unfettered, the package of bills approved by parliament is a further step in a gradual erosion of the restrictions that has been underway for more than two decades. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)
    Analysis: Japan takes step toward having a 'normal' military

    In the wee hours of Saturday morning, Japan took a step toward having a military in line with most armed forces around the world, one that would be able to take part in combat even when the country is not under direct attack.