The new deal allows the two countries' armies to train together, along with the sharing of more sensitive intelligence. China's increasing influence in the region has spurred the need for greater cooperation.

DW spoke with a woman who said she was victimized by the South Korea-based church. She wants Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government to take action and curb the religious organization's vast political influence.

Japan is the only G7 country which does not recognise same-sex unions. But this week, its capital Tokyo began rolling out a partnership certificate scheme. It allows same-sex couples to be treated as married couples for certain public services, this for the first time. Those services include housing, medicine and welfare.

Japan has a shrinking pool of young workers to fund retirement and healthcare. The only answer appears to be raising pension and health deductions from paychecks, but that is likely to be deeply unpopular.

Toru Kubota, a Japanese documentary filmmaker who was sentenced to ten years in prison in Myanmar, has expressed relief after being freed by the junta in an amnesty. Martin Fritz reports from Tokyo.

Belgium will once again be the dark horse in Qatar and their golden generation will hope to finally end the jinx and bring home the World Cup. They begin their campaign in the Middle East against Canada, a country making a return to the Mundial after a 36-year absence. Will this finally be Belgium’s year?

The Samurai of Japan refused to fall on their swords as they shocked 2014 World Cup champions Germany with a comeback 2-1 win on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Luis Enrique's Spain side staked an early claim as contenders with a clinical display as they dismantled Costa Rica 7-0.

We had our miss against Japan and must do well against Spain – Germany coach Flick

A Tokyo court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage. However, it also deemed the lack of a legal system for same-sex couples "unconstitutional" and a human rights violation.

The Unification Church has been accused of extorting huge donations from followers in return for spiritual salvation. The alleged killer of ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July claimed to be one of the group's victims.

The Japanese government is planning to offer couples extra money for having children, but with costs rising steeply and wages static, that is unlikely to be an adequate incentive, say experts.

Heavy snowfalls batter north, northeast of Japan