Minoru Kihara

Stories

China widens export-control blacklist of Japanese defense entities

As of June 2026: Demanding China revoke the controls

China told its exporters to stop selling sensitive goods to 20 more Japanese organizations, including the government's main defense research institute. It is the second such blacklist in four months, and it widens a trade barrier between the world's second- and fourth-largest economies.

Updated Jun 29

Magnitude 7.5 earthquake strikes off northern Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and mass evacuations

Built World

As of May 2026: Providing public updates on damage assessment

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake (revised upward from an initial 7.5) struck 100 kilometers off Japan's Iwate Prefecture on Monday afternoon, along the Sanriku coastline where tsunamis killed tens of thousands in 1896, 1933, and 2011. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for waves up to three meters and ordered evacuations for nearly 172,000 people across five prefectures.

Updated May 31

China–Japan radar row turns East China Sea and Taiwan tensions into an open crisis

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Government spokesperson and coordinator for Japan’s crisis messaging

In early December 2025, China's Liaoning carrier strike group sailed through waters near Japan's southwest island chain and into the western Pacific. Over two days, between Okinawa's main island and Minamidaito and then east of Kikai Island, it conducted roughly 100 take-offs and landings of J-15 fighters and helicopters.

Updated May 10

Notable Quotes

The measures are 'unacceptable' and should be revoked. (June 29, 2026)

from China widens export-control blacklist of Japanese defense entities · Updated Jun 29

"Authorities are doing their utmost to assess the damage, implement emergency disaster response measures such as search and rescue operations, and provide timely and accurate information to the public." — Monday evening briefing

from Magnitude 7.5 earthquake strikes off northern Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and mass evacuations · Updated May 31

On Chinese complaints about JASDF flights, Kihara said Japan would "respond calmly but firmly and continue to monitor the movements of Chinese forces in the waters around our country."

from China–Japan radar row turns East China Sea and Taiwan tensions into an open crisis · Updated May 10