North Asia Correspondent for @ABCnews | [email protected]
Tokyo
Joined April 2012
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Natalie Whiting retweeted
The death of a 16-year-old has put a damning spotlight on the practice of #hostagejustice.
#Japan's criminal justice system has long failed to guarantee fundamental #humanrights.
@Nat_Whiting & Akane Saiki in @abcnews.
abc.net.au/news/2026-08-02/j…
“Mum, I want to see you.”
Teenage girl's death puts damning spotlight on 'hostage justice' system in Japan: abc.net.au/news/2026-08-02/j…
#HostageJustice #人質司法
Ejima Shinnosuke’s family home was destroyed in the Kumamoto earthquake, but he considered himself lucky because he and his grandfather survived. His spirit was impressive. #令和８年熊本地震 youtu.be/g6gRidwSs8o?si=3wel…
Natalie Whiting retweeted
The government is expected to establish a national intelligence council as early as this month to strengthen its command over intelligence gathering and analysis. ebx.sh/wzWppU
"Operating out of a Tokyo high-rise, a military intelligence unit finds the high-tech equipment that Russia needs to wage war". Broader issues for #Japan to address: nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world…
Noone knows for sure how many #bears there are in #Japan, but as the human population shrinks they're on the move. There are plans to cull thousands as part of a strategy to reduce numbers, potentially by more than 30% in some areas. Japan's "urban bears":
abc.net.au/news/2026-07-12/a…
Natalie Whiting retweeted
All six launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system deployed in the southeastern county of Seongju have returned to base following their relocation in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, sources said Sunday.
koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/…
Natalie Whiting retweeted
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of Japan, using the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear. Japan reaffirmed its support to U.S. forces and operations that maintain peace, and this support contributes to deterrence by denial.
Read more: state.gov/releases/office-of…
Natalie Whiting retweeted
約9年の時を経て、日韓の部隊間の訓練が再び動き出しました。今回の共同訓練は、今年１月に実施された私と安圭伯（アン・ギュベク）大韓民国国防部長官との会談の合意事項の一つです。無事に実現したことを嬉しく思います。両国の防衛協力・交流の新たな章の始まりです。
今回の訓練を成功裏に実施するために尽力した、海上幕僚監部運用支援課、防衛政策局国際政策課、運用調整参事官付、そして現場部隊の皆様、本当にありがとう！
China's President Xi Jinping has vowed to deepen ties with North Korea, during a rare state visit: abc.net.au/listen/programs/a… feat @JohnDelury and Dr Bong Youngshik.
Natalie Whiting retweeted
On Monday evening, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan, along with Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju, watched an artistic performance at the Pyongyang Gymnasium following a welcome banquet.
Through songs, dances and acrobatics, the artists celebrated Xi's return to the DPRK after seven years and voiced their sincere feelings for further strengthening the traditional friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK.
Interesting timing for this post, as Xi Jinping visits North Korea.
先日、日韓首脳会談のために訪問した韓国・安東（アンドン）市の豊山（プンサン）高校の学生の皆さん一人ひとりが日本語で書いて下さったメッセージが私の元に届きました。
李在明大統領と一緒に鑑賞した安東の縄花火にも参加し、私達を歓迎してくれた方々です。
いずれも、とても美しい字で書かれた心温まる内容で、感激いたしました。
日韓関係が未来に向けて発展することを願う学生の皆さんの気持ちに勇気を頂きました。
日韓両国が共に強く、共に豊かになるよう、これからも尽力していきます。
최근 일한 정상회담을 위해 방문한 한국 안동시의 풍산고등학교 학생 여러분 한분 한분이 일본어로 써 주신 메시지가 제게 전달되었습니다.
이재명 대통령님과 함께 감상한 안동의 줄불놀이에도 참가하여 우리를 환영해 주신 분들입니다.
하나같이 매우 예쁜 글씨로 적힌 마음 따뜻해지는 내용이라 감격스러웠습니다.
일한 관계가 미래를 향해 발전하기를 바라는 학생 여러분의 마음에서 용기를 얻었습니다.
일한 양국이 함께 강하고 함께 풍요로워질 수 있도록 앞으로도 최선을 다하겠습니다.
There's a new version of this post
Natalie Whiting retweeted
When asked whether Japan became a topic of discussion during the meeting between the Chinese and US leaders, citing reports by Japanese media and the Financial Times claiming that the two sides had discussed Japan’s “remilitarization” issue, Mao Ning, FM spokesperson said on Monday that China has already released information regarding the meeting between the Chinese and US leaders, and that the reports mentioned are inconsistent with the information held by China. Regarding China-Japan relations, China’s position is clear, said Mao.
Natalie Whiting retweeted
These are unrelated. The US told Japan well before the Beijing summit. The reason for the Tomahawk delays is that the US had to replenish its stockpiles after Iran.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Interesting from FT, seems to confirm Tokyo’s concerns before the meeting. A read from before the summit about Japan-China relations: abc.net.au/news/2026-05-11/j…
SCOOP - Xi Jinping castigated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for her country’s “remilitarisation” in an intense diatribe during his summit with Donald Trump 👇
as.ft.com/r/885f738c-4e89-4b…
Natalie Whiting retweeted
“🇦🇺 is well placed to become a key node in a regional Mogami supply chain."
🙏 to @abcnews’ @Nat_Whiting & @stephendziedzic for incorporating my view in their superb analysis of 🇯🇵’s defence step up. Great timing for the @NikkeiAsia Forum in WA tomorrow.
abc.net.au/news/2026-04-27/u…
"You can't stop at this point, you can't take your foot off the pedal." Inside the work to mop up and clear hazards in fire-ravaged areas in western Victoria as communities return youtu.be/kb2KPU-g3f8?si=cmAP…
Incredible aerial vision of the fire at Dereel. Residents speaking very highly of the fire fighters that managed to protect the town’s homes. youtu.be/TuWn9V5aExQ?si=Ozrc…
Wind change has happened and the Bayindeen fire remains behind containment lines. A seperate blaze at Dereel is still at emergency warning.
youtu.be/Yy_KQ3wK3Qk?si=3v1g…