James Oaten
Japan
James Oaten is the ABC’s North Asia correspondent, covering Japan, South Korea and North Korea. He was previously the ABC’s South Asia correspondent based in New Delhi. During this time, he covered the COVID-19 pandemic extensively, including India's catastrophic Delta surge in 2021, and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. James has previously worked as a broadcast and digital journalist in ABC newsrooms in Melbourne and Darwin, as well as for flagship current affairs programs 7.30 and AM. He is a Walkley finalist and has won several media awards including Northern Territory Journalist of the Year.
Latest by James Oaten
Inside court, Julian Assange had one last act of defiance against the US legal system
In Saipan, Julian Assange's long-running legal battle has come to a close as he pleaded guilty and walked out of the courtroom as a convicted felon but free man.
Julian Assange's lawyer says WikiLeaks founder 'cannot be silenced' despite guilty plea
Assange has been released after pleading guilty to a felony count of obtaining and disclosing national defence information, bringing a more than decade-long legal battle to a close.
Julian Assange says PM 'saved his life', his lawyer reveals, while his wife asks for him to be given time to recover — as it happened
Julian Assange is a free man, after a US federal judge sentenced him to time already served in prison. Look back through our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.
Analysis
analysis:While he was trying to make a friend in North Korea, Putin angered a very important player to the south
When Vladimir Putin announced a military partnership with North Korea, he stepped across a red line drawn by one of the most advanced arms suppliers in the world.
'The bears know humans are present': How Japan's black bears became a deadly problem
Japan recorded 219 bear attacks on people in the 12-months leading up to March this year, including six fatalities. The situation is becoming so severe that government officials have warned some bears are viewing humans as prey.
'North Korea won't give in': Living in the shadow of a giant, this island is building bunkers
After a bombardment of shells in January, residents on the South Korean island of Yeongpyeong are anxiously waiting for another attack. Some wonder: could it happen again?
'I was drunk': Japanese official accused of inappropriate behaviour to visiting daughter of Australian mayor
The alleged incident occurred during a karaoke afterparty involving Japanese officials from the town of Minokamo and a visiting delegation from the New South Wales town of Dubbo.
Hiyori lives two lives. By day, she's an office worker but by night, she's a much-feared sumo warrior
An ancient sport shrouded in mystery, professional sumo wrestling in Japan is reserved only for men. A group of young female warriors wants to change that.
'Love you no matter what': Izumi's kids were photographed calling for her death, but she won't stop fighting for them
In Japan, thousands of children are cut off from their mum or dad every year as victims of a system that incentivises parental child abduction. The country will soon introduce laws that will enforce joint custody, but it's only caused more division.
Taiwan officials establish last known whereabouts of two Australians missing in earthquake
Taiwan's National Fire Agency releases footage showing the pair getting off a bus heading towards a national park that suffered extensive landslides.
South Korea's ambassador to Australia resigns after less than a month in the job
South Korea's new ambassador to Australia has resigned after less than a month in the job, as he faces a corruption probe at home.
Shoma moved from Japan to Sydney for a working holiday, but instead he found a financial bonanza
Young people in Japan are leaving for Australia in droves, as the local economy enters recession and cost of living rises out of step with wages.
Japan's most-wanted man had a perfect cover to elude capture. But when he was drunk, he gave away a clue
It's relatively easy to disappear in Japan — so much so, there's even a name for the thousands of people who deliberately go missing each year: the Johatsu. The country's most wanted terrorist may have been one of them.
For $5,000 a week, this investigator follows school children around to identify their bullies
After a controversial Netflix drama triggered a debate about schoolyard bullies in South Korea, this private detective has been inundated with queries from concerned parents asking him to tail their children.
'They just want children who are like dolls': How South Korea's no-kids zones are shifting the culture
The number of no-kids zones in South Korea has exploded in the past decade, but some parents say it's creating a culture where children are unwelcome and restricted from learning how to behave in public.
Would you move to a remote village for a 0 yen house? Here's what happened when Yasuyuki Fuke did
As the population of the Japanese village of Nagoro shrank, many buildings in the town were left abandoned. Tsukimi Ayano is one of the few residents left and has come up with a novel way to populate it — with dolls.
For years, Japan tried to keep their existence a secret. But the Ainu people refuse to disappear
Japan's Ainu people have their own history, languages and culture. But, as the victims of colonialism, assimilation and discrimination, much of that identity has been lost. This is the story of their fight to be recognised.
'Russia would not be doing this if it had other options': Putin's desperate meeting with Kim Jong Un
With few allies left on the world stage, the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean President Kim Jong Un is seen by observers as a sign of just how far Russia has fallen.
The space above Earth is a trash heap. Here's how that could lead to an unstoppable junk cascade or even a war
Fragments of spent rockets and other debris are clogging up the area above the stratosphere. As tensions ratchet up on Earth, some space agencies fear the next frontier of conflict could be above us.
The four unique ways Tokyo approaches housing can offer lessons for Australia
How does Tokyo's property market compare to Australia's? Here are four unique lessons, from loose zoning laws to smaller dwelling sizes, an advanced public transport system and an openness to development.
What does 30pc of average household wage get you on the global rental market?
We challenged four reporters to find somewhere to live for 30 per cent of the average wage in their global cities. From "dorms for adults" to buildings that could be demolished at any moment, they saw it all.
Japan releases treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, as activists make last-ditch call for UN intervention
Japan has begun to discharge treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima power plant more than a decade after the disaster. Experts say the process is safe, but Pacific activists want the UN to intervene.
For four years, Catherine has fought Japan's highest court to be reunited with her children
Japan's sole custody laws have long been criticised for incentivising child abduction, but the system may be about to change, with Australia playing a key role behind the scenes.
Japan sits on top of a huge reserve of clean, cheap power. Some call it 'devil energy'
There's nothing quite like soaking in one of Japan's natural hot springs. But resort owners are refusing to share the geothermal energy reserves that could transform this resource-poor nation.
Chan Yang built a thriving secret business in North Korea. Then she made a daring bid for freedom
North Korea's "Jangmadang Generation" grew up facing immense hardship after a devastating famine. Now those fortunate few who escaped find the skills they used to survive rather helpful in capitalist South Korea.