Ian Kennedy: New Zealand-Japan relationship in 'excellent shape'

With Japan top of mind ahead of the Rugby World Cup and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visit, Ian Kennedy, former ambassador to Japan and a regular visitor, shares his personal insights into New Zealand’s relationship with Japan.

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5 things to know about Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo

Abe Shinzo is the prime minister of Japan and president of the Liberal Democratic Party, which rules in coalition with the Komeito party. Here are five things to know about the “comeback kid” of Japanese politics.

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Sport, earthquakes and language: NZ's relationship with Japan

Japan: it's the home of Sony, sushi and Toyota. But New Zealand's relationship with Japan goes much further than a love of Japanese tech, food and cars. Here are five unique things that link New Zealand and Japan. 

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Here are some of the stories and experts on Japan featured by the Asia Media Centre.

• New Zealand-Japan rugby ties: A story of citizen diplomacy
    
• Kapa haka group finds fans in Japan
    
• Japan's big dilemma: Robots or immigrants?
    
• Expert views: Why is Japan so persistent about whaling?
    
• Japan's new era name - what does it mean?
    
• Japan's new Reiwa era: What's in a name?
    
• Japan's Upper House election and what it could mean for the Constitution
    
• A new emperor, a new era, a new relationship for NZ and Japan

What has the NZ and international media been reporting about Japan? Here's a roundup of stories from the past week. 

• Fukushima fishermen concerned for future over release of radioactive water
  THE GUARDIAN
    
• Why is Japan still slaughtering whales?
  RNZ
    
• Claiming Demotion After Paternity Leave, 2 Fathers in Japan Sue
  THE NEW YORK TIMES
    
• South Korea asks IOC to ban Japan's use of 'Rising Sun' flag at Olympics
  REUTERS
    
• Taonga offered to Japanese people ahead of Rugby World Cup
  NZ HERALD
    
• Kiwis help Japan's rugby-mad town of Kamaishi recover from tsunami
  NEWSHUB
    
• History makers: the origins of Japan’s 150-year love affair with rugby
  THE GUARDIAN 

Whittaker’s releases Japan-inspired chocolate

New Zealand chocolate company Whittaker’s has unveiled two new flavours ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The ‘Home’ block replicates the taste of a Kiwi flat white, while the Japanese-themed ‘Away’ block uses Nishio matcha.

Japan celebrates ‘Respect for the Aged Day’

September 16 marked a unique public holiday in Japan — Respect for the Aged Day. The annual holiday honours elderly citizens in ageing Japan — and this year, the number of people aged 100 or older topped 70,000 for the first time.

Japan stocks up on beer ahead of Rugby World Cup

Japanese bars are reportedly preparing for a huge increase in beer consumption during the Rugby World Cup. One bar near Tokyo Stadium has stocked up on three times its usual number of backup kegs, anticipating thirsty rugby fans.