By dispatching its foreign minister to the event, Tokyo seems intent on asserting its influence - and avoiding being upstaged by Beijing In a gesture heavy with symbolism, strategy and no small measure of urgency,

Japan and the Philippines plan to convey to President-elect Donald Trump the urgent need for the U.S. to remain committed to upholding the rule of law in an Asian region where China's actions are caus

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya would be the first Japanese Cabinet member to attend the swearing-in of a U.S. president.