Japan

Story gist: On January 13, 2026, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and South Korean President Lee held a joint press conference. Takaichi surprised with a drum performance alongside Lee, playing songs including BTS’s ‘Dynamite.’

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Mainichi frame the event through South Korean President Lee’s ‘practical diplomacy,’ emphasizing improved Japan-South Korea ties as a tailwind for TPP membership. Center sources like the Prime Minister’s Office offer neutral factual coverage of the joint press conference. Right-leaning Yomiuri focuses on the fun ‘surprise collaboration’ and cultural performance details.

Story gist: South Korean prosecutors sought the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of leading an insurrection related to his declaration of emergency martial law.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Mainichi newspaper uses the exact prosecutorial phrasing from the title, directly highlighting ‘death penalty demand’ and ‘insurrection leading charge’ tied to ’emergency martial law.’ Center NHK similarly frames it factually as a trial for ‘leading insurrection crime,’ with neutral tone. Right-leaning outlets are absent, leaving conservative perspectives unrepresented in the cluster.

Story gist: Osaka Governor Yoshimura commented for the first time after reports that he and Mayor Yokoyama are considering resigning for a double election aligned with House of Representatives dissolution. He stated he will think carefully and reach a conclusion by the evening after tomorrow.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Mainichi frames it definitively as Yoshimura and Yokoyama heading to resignation with firm double-election intentions tied to Diet dissolution, implying decision made. Center outlets like MBS/Yahoo neutrally quote Yoshimura’s cautious first response and deliberation timeline, using ‘considering’ and quotes for ‘reshuffle election.’ Right-leaning coverage absent, leaving pro-reform perspective unrepresented.

Story gist: Weather News forecasts possible cold wave in Japan next week. Ongoing temperature fluctuations require caution.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage entirely, leaving no partisan framing on weather impacts or climate implications. Center outlet Weather News reported neutrally, emphasizing forecast possibility and preparedness without sensationalism or political ties. Absence of left/right perspectives means potential angles like climate change links or emergency response critiques are unexplored.

Story gist: Meteorologist Ishii Motoki reported on January 13, 2026, that Japan had significant temperature ups and downs over the past week. Intense cold is forecast nationwide next week, with advice to manage health.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage of this routine weather forecast. Center outlet tenki.jp neutrally frames it as factual temperature fluctuations last week, nationwide intense cold ahead, and health caution by Meteorologist Ishii Motoki. Absent left/right perspectives indicate no partisan emphasis or omissions on non-political weather news.