A Japanese journalist freed from prison in Myanmar earlier this month spoke to reporters in Tokyo on Monday. Kubota Toru called for more awareness about the human rights situation in the country and urged the ruling military to improve it.

Kubota was held by security authorities in Yangon in July for filming protests against the junta while on a tourist visa. He had been facing a total of 10 years' imprisonment on charges including violating the immigration law.

Japan and the United States have decided to put off seeking a conclusion on Japan's share of the cost of stationing US forces in the country before the end of the year.

The two sides began working-level talks on the matter last month as the current arrangement, which is agreed upon every five years, is set to expire in March.

The Japanese prime minister has told the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince that Japan will support the Middle Eastern country's reforms centered on industrial diversification and reducing its dependence on crude oil.

Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman talked on the phone on Thursday.

The mother of a Japanese woman abducted by North Korea has urged Japan's government to resolve the abduction issue through dialogue between the leaders of the two countries.

Yokota Sakie made the appeal at a news conference ahead of the 43rd anniversary of the abduction of her daughter, Megumi, on Sunday. She was kidnapped on her way home from a junior high school. Megumi turned 56 last month.

Japan and the United States have formally started working-level talks on Japan's share of the cost of stationing US forces in the country. The two sides have agreed to seek an early conclusion to the matter.

Foreign and defense officials from the two countries met in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. They also met in October.

The minister in charge of the Science Council of Japan has met the head of the academic body, following the prime minister's recent refusal to appoint six nominees as new members.

Science and Technology Policy Minister Inoue Shinji and Science Council of Japan President Kajita Takaaki met in Tokyo on Friday morning.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed readiness for formal negotiations with Japan on its share of the cost of stationing US forces in the country.

Pompeo said on Wednesday that the United States and Japan held the first consultations last week for a new host nation agreement by which Japan will take on its share of the burden for their mutual security.

Japan's new Prime Minister is on to the second leg of his inaugural trip abroad as the country's leader.

After leaving Vietnam, Suga Yoshihide has arrived in Indonesia where he is set to meet President Joko Widodo.

Hasuike Kaoru, who spent more than two decades in North Korea after being abducted, told NHK in an interview that the Japanese government should carefully analyze the circumstances surrounding Pyongyang and engage in strategic negotiations with the North.

Hasuike and his then girlfriend, now his wife, were taken from Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast by North Korean agents in 1978.

TOKYO — Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan would seek reimbursement from Britain if the government fails to agree an EU trade deal, the Nikkei financial daily reported on Monday.

The companies are bracing for an additional 10% EU tax on automobile imports from Britain and are demanding that the government pays for such additional customs costs, the report said, without citing sources.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping by phone on Friday for the first time since Suga took office last week.

Suga spoke to reporters after the talks.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and US President Donald Trump have agreed to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance. The two leaders spoke during their first phone call since Suga took office last week.

Suga talked with Trump for about 20 minutes on Sunday night. After the talks, Suga told reporters that President Trump assured him they would work together to further develop the Japan-US alliance.

NHK has learned that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be in Tokyo early next month for talks with his Japanese, Australian and Indian counterparts.

The four also met in New York in September last year. In October, they are expected to discuss China's increased maritime activities, and reaffirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.

Russia's presidential office spokesperson has expressed hope that the successor of Japan's Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will remain committed to boosting ties with Moscow to resolve the issue involving Russian-controlled islands claimed by Japan.

Dmitry Peskov spoke to the state-run Tass news agency about peace treaty negotiations that will continue under a new Japanese leader. Abe has announced his intention to step down to deal with health issues.