The policy chief of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party is set to visit Taiwan.

Hagiuda Koichi plans to begin a three-day trip on December 10.

Japan's ruling coalition said the country should be able to launch a "counterstrike" if it's targeted by an armed attack. It's set to be one of the biggest changes to Japanese security policy since the end of World War Two.

The main Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito held talks on Friday. They said Japan's current system is poorly equipped to deal with growing threats in the region.

Japan's two governing parties are aiming to reach an agreement that the country should be capable of conducting counterstrikes on missile-launching sites and other enemy targets.

An agreement at the two parties' working-level talks on Friday would mark a major shift in Japan's security policy after the end of World War Two.

The Tokyo District Court is set to hand down a ruling in a damages lawsuit claiming that the government's non-recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

The eight plaintiffs argued that the inability of same-sex couples to marry disregards the principles of freedom and equality guaranteed by the Constitution. The Japanese civil code does not allow such marriages. The plaintiffs include same-sex couples living in Tokyo.

The widow of a deceased Finance Ministry official said she is disappointed with a civil court ruling that failed to reveal any information about how her husband was pressured to falsify government documents.

Akagi Masako's husband, Toshio, committed suicide in 2018. The Osaka District Court on Friday dismissed her claims for damages from a former high-ranking Finance Ministry bureaucrat. Sagawa Nobuhisa had allegedly ordered the tampering of documents related to the sale of state-owned land to school operator Moritomo Gakuen.

Japan's government is seeking to gain consensus from the ruling parties over the proposed development of a new long-range cruise missile.

The "standoff missile" has a much longer firing range than the Ground Self-Defense Force's current surface-to-ship model. It can be launched from a point far enough away to evade fire from the target.

A Japanese high court has upheld a lower court ruling that ordered the government and the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to pay compensation to those affected by the 2011 nuclear accident triggered by a tsunami.

The ruling is the first issued by an appellate court making the state accountable in lawsuits related to the nuclear accident.

Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party is divided over when to hold a general election, after Suga Yoshihide took over as prime minister last week.

LDP leader Suga told reporters last week that he will prioritize the country's response to the coronavirus and its economic fallout.

Japan's main ruling party has elected Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide its new leader.

The 71-year-old politician is virtually assured to succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who announced last month his intention to step down to deal with his health.

Leaders of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito have praised Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's achievements, while opposition party leaders said Abe failed to follow through on many issues.

Leaders of the LDP and its junior coalition partner, and opposition parties looked back on Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's tenure on an NHK TV program on Sunday, two days after Abe announced his intention to resign, citing worsening health.

The prefecture and the city of Hiroshima have appealed a district court ruling that legally recognizes people exposed to radioactive rain immediately after the 1945 atomic bombing as "hibakusha," or survivors of the bombing.

The local governments filed their appeal with the Hiroshima High Court on Wednesday, the deadline for appealing against last month's Hiroshima District Court ruling.

The mayor of Hiroshima City says the city and Hiroshima Prefecture have jointly appealed a district court ruling over the post A-bomb "black rain" case.

Mayor Matsui Kazumi made the announcement to reporters on Wednesday, the deadline for appealing against last month's Hiroshima District Court ruling.

Japan's Nippon Steel says it has appealed a South Korean court ruling over wartime labor compensation that allows the steelmaker's assets to be seized for liquidation.

The company made the announcement on Friday.

Members of Japan's ruling party have compiled draft measures to make it easier to identify people who have posted anonymous bullying messages online.

The move followed the death of Kimura Hana, a professional wrestler and reality TV star who is believed to have killed herself after being cyberbullied.