Japan, US agree to more cooperationAFP, TOKYOTokyo and Washington yesterday agreed to boost joint production of defense equipment, including missiles, and expand their military presence in waters southwest of Japan, as China ramps up pressure on its Asian neighbor. The agreement came after Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington, where they also pledged further cooperation on supply chains including critical minerals. Japan is embroiled in a heated diplomatic spat with China, triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion last year that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacks Taiwan. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, welcomes Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi in Washington on Thursday. Photo: APChina reacted angrily, blocking exports to Japan of “dual-use” items with potential military applications, fueling worries in Tokyo that Beijing could choke supplies of much-needed rare earths.

Business groups welcome tariff pact with USBy Crystal Hsu and Lisa Wang / Staff reportersTaiwanese business groups yesterday welcomed the outcome of the trade talks with the US, saying the agreement injects much-needed certainty into corporate planning even as risks persist from Washington’s evolving tariff and technology policies. Another business group, the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (台灣機械公會), agreed, saying the tariff deal would help boost local machinery exports to the US. Consultancy firm PwC Taiwan said that the agreement effectively locks in tariff treatment for Taiwanese exports to the US, giving companies greater certainty when planning operations and investment. Deloitte & Touche Taiwan warned that while the agreement has eased some of the tariff pressure facing Taiwanese companies, US trade policy remains fluid. Semiconductor companies will need to closely monitor policy developments, the pace of Taiwanese investments in the US and the buildout of US semiconductor clusters, Deloitte said.

US okays US$2.3bn bill for Taiwan military financingINSIGHTS: The approval showed supporting Taiwan was a bipartisan consensus and the funding for the Philippines highlights first island chain security concerns, experts saidStaff writer, with CNAThe US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill to provide Taiwan with US$300 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), and up to US$2 billion in loans and loan guarantees to bolster deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. The measures are part of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, which the House approved by a 341-79 vote. Photo: EPA-EFEFMF, a US Department of State program, helps allies and partner countries acquire US military equipment, services and training through US-funded aid. “In the past month, the free people of Taiwan have endured cyberattacks and aggressive PLA [People’s Liberation Army] military exercises. Chen Shih-min (陳世民), an associate professor of political science at National Taiwan University, said that although Taiwan accounts for only part of the bill, members of the US Congress had to actively support the provisions to vote in favor.

Handheld festival lanterns to be handed out March 3-15Staff writer, with CNAHandheld paper lanterns featuring the OhBear mascot riding a rocking horse are to be handed out during this year's Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi County starting at 3pm daily from March 3 to 15, the Chiayi County Government announced yesterday. The festival is to take place at the plaza in front of Chiayi County Hall. Handheld lanterns for the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi County are pictured in an undated photograph. Photo courtesy of the Chiayi County GovernmentThe lanterns combine Taiwan's tourism mascot with the Chinese zodiac sign of the horse. Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) said that a total of 280,000 lanterns have been prepared by the Tourism Administration and the county government.

Legislature redefines old military dependents’ villagesBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNAThe Legislative Yuan today passed an amendment that would allow public redevelopment or relocation of all military dependents’ villages, regardless of age. The current definition of “old military dependents’ villages” under Article 3 of the Act for Rebuilding Old Quarters for Military Dependents (國軍老舊眷村改建條例) refers to those completed before Dec. 31, 1980. A wall in a military dependents' village is pictured in an undated photograph. When the definition of old military dependents’ villages was established in 1996, it covered housing built before 1980, he said. The ministry could repurpose the Tsu Ren Eighth Village for dormitories, he added, calling it a “win-win-win” outcome.

The school reported the situation in accordance with regulations, and a local health center has cleaned and disinfected the school, the department said. This student was likely the first case, and their classmates began showing symptoms on Saturday last week, it added. Other parents alleged that the student continued to attend school until Monday, as their parents, who have a medical background, concealed the illness. The student’s parents failed to proactively notify the school about the diagnosis, and the student’s sibling, a third grader at the same school, developed a rash while at school on Monday, the department said. The school nurse immediately notified the parents, and the two siblings were sent home to rest starting that day, the department said.

US House passes bill with US$2.3bn military financing for TaiwanStaff writer, with CNAThe US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill to provide Taiwan with US$300 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and up to US$2 billion in loans and loan guarantees to strengthen deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. The measures are part of the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, which the House approved by a 341-79 vote. In addition, it includes US$35.9 million for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and US$100 million in FMF for the Philippines. "In the past month, the free people of Taiwan have endured cyberattacks and aggressive PLA [Chinese People's Liberation Army] military exercises. Chen Shih-min (陳世民), an associate professor of political science at National Taiwan University, said that although Taiwan accounts for only part of the bill, members of the US Congress had to support the provisions to vote in favor.

Ultraman to celebrate Taiwan’s unsung heroes at Kaohsiung WonderlandBy Wang Jung-hsiang and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writerUltraman, the Japanese superhero who is celebrating his 60th anniversary this year, is to be the mascot for this year’s Kaohsiung Wonderland winter festival, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) announced today. This year’s theme, “Ultraman descends on the harbor city,” is to pay homage to the unsung heroes across Taiwan who selflessly help others and protect lives, he said. Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung Tourism BureauNot all superheroes wear capes or fly, he said. Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung Tourism BureauDuring the event, Love River Bay is to feature themed installations, nighttime light shows and interactive performances, he said. Ultraman, produced by Japan’s Tsuburaya, is one of the most iconic superhero franchises in Japan’s history, Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau Director-General Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) said.

Opposition fast-tracks NT$71.8bn in spendingBy Liu Wan-lin and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAOpposition lawmakers today fast-tracked a motion to the second reading that would authorize the disbursement of NT$71.8 billion (US$2.2 billion) for 38 projects under the central government budget. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party lawmakers hold placards promoting the budgeting of military pay raises at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei today. For the TPass program, the subsidies include NT$1.58 billion for the TPass Executive Yuan implementation program, and NT$5.94 billion for local governments to implement TPass from this year to 2029. The opposition hopes the legislature would first approve funding for these projects, TPP caucus deputy whip Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) said. It is regrettable that the matter was not handled by the Executive Yuan, as it could have sought legislative approval to release funds for these initiatives, he said.

Tariff agreement to bring US, Taiwan closer: LaiBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAA 15 percent tariff agreement reached with the US would bring economic and trade ties between the two countries even closer, President William Lai (賴清德) said today, urging lawmakers to support the deal. The agreement would help Taiwanese industries retain a foothold in Taiwan while also expanding their global footprint, Lai told reporters before appearing at the Taichung Exhibition of Various Trades and Industries. Japan and South Korea formerly had free-trade agreements or similar arrangements with the US, giving their exports a competitive edge over Taiwan, Lai said. Now everyone is on an equal footing, allowing Taiwanese companies the opportunity to expand into US markets, he added. Further negotiations still lie ahead, he said, adding that he hopes all ministries and relevant agencies would build on this foundation to complete an overall Taiwan-US trade agreement.

Magnitude 4.6 quake strikes off YilanStaff writer, with CNAA magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Taiwan at 11:09am today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The epicenter of the temblor was located at sea, about 36.5km south-southeast of Yilan County Hall at a depth of 15.2km, the agency said. The location of a magnitude 4.6 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 11:09am today is pictured. Photo courtesy of the Central Weather AdministrationThe earthquake's intensity, which gauges the actual effects of a temblor, was highest in Yilan, where it measured 4 on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale, the CWA said. The quake also measured an intensity of 3 in Hualien County, 2 in New Taipei City and 1 in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Taichung and Nantou County, the CWA added.

Investigation of Taipei stabbing closedNO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE: The investigation into the suspect’s social media and communications show no outside party’s involvement in the attack that left four deadBy Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNAThe Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said it has completed its investigation into last month’s stabbing attack at Taipei Main Station and would not press any charges, as the suspect is dead and is believed to have acted alone. Reporters take pictures of security footage showing Taipei stabbing suspect Chang Wen during a news conference hosted by the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday. Following the incident, the High Prosecutors’ Office instructed district prosecutors’ offices nationwide to specifically handle cases involving online threats, public transportation and public spaces, and to initiate reporting and response measures, they said. As of Wednesday, prosecutors’ offices nationwide had investigated 51 cases, with no evidence linking them to Chang or the Taipei attack, they said. Separately, the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office announced that it has concluded its investigation into Chang on suspicion of contravening the Punishment Act for Violation of Military Service System (妨害兵役治罪條例).

US lowers Taiwan tariff to 15%, Cabinet confirmsStaff writer, with CNAWashington has agreed to lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 20 percent to 15 percent, without stacking them on existing most-favored-nation rates, after concluding trade negotiations with Taiwan yesterday, the Executive Yuan said this morning. The agreement also grants semiconductors and related products the most favorable treatment under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and includes commitments to expand supply chain investment cooperation and deepen Taiwan-US strategic collaboration on artificial intelligence, the Cabinet said. The US and Taiwan national flags fly in an undated photograph. Photo: AFPThe new tariff rate of 15 percent matches US rates on goods from major trade partners such as Japan, South Korea and the EU.

Military locates crashed F-16’s black boxStaff writer, with CNAThe military yesterday said it has located the flight data recorder, or black box, of an F-16V jet that disappeared off eastern Taiwan earlier this month, and it would soon deploy a salvage team to try to retrieve it. Air Force Command Headquarters said that while it had pinned down the location of the black box, it was still searching for the aircraft’s sole pilot, air force Captain Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅). Without providing details, the air force said it had located the black box days after detecting some intermittent signals and would now engage a team of professionals to retrieve it. Hsin took off from Hualien Air Base at 6:17pm on a nighttime training mission, and soon after, he reported that the aircraft was losing altitude, the air force said. The air force subsequently set up an emergency response center, and launched a search and rescue operation, but has not yet been able to find Hsin nor the aircraft.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior reacts during the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on Wednesday. Photo: ReutersGarnacho’s second goal — in the 83rd minute — gave Chelsea a lifeline ahead of the second leg on Feb. 3 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Liam Rosenior, taking charge of his first home match as Chelsea’s new coach, refused to criticize Sanchez for his mistakes. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, center, makes a save during the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on Wednesday. That would be a rematch of the 2018 final — the last one Arsenal reached in the EFL Cup — which City won 3-0.