By law, the SDF, as Japan's military is known, must be politically neutral. Inada withdrew the remark at an impromptu news conference, saying it could be "misunderstood". The July 2 vote for the Tokyo Metropolitan assembly is on the surface a referendum on ... ( read original story ...)
14-year-old excites Japan with record chess debut
The 14-year-old boy is taking his country by storm with a record-breaking debut in Japanese chess. (Iori Sagisawa/Kyodo News via AP) He became the youngest player ever to qualify to enter the professional ranks last October, and has reeled off 29 straight ... ( read original story ...)
Japan issues warning over North Korea nuclear missile strike with residents told to seek shelter or lie on ground in terrifying TV broadcast
RESIDENTS in Japan have been told to seek shelter or lie on the ground in the event of North Korea missile strike in a terrifying new nationwide television broadcast. The half a minute announcement also states people should stay away from windows and ... ( read original story ...)
Japan carrier apologizes to disabled man over tarmac stairs
A Japanese airline said Wednesday it has apologized for making a wheelchair user hoist himself up a staircase from the tarmac to board his flight. Hideto Kijima faced the problem earlier this month while returning to Osaka from the southern island of Amami ... ( read original story ...)
Japan, EU Press Ahead on Free Trade Pact to Counter U.S. Protectionism
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese and European Union negotiators meeting in Tokyo aim to reach a free trade deal that would stand against a protectionist tide threatening the global economy, and make the United States think twice over pursuing inward-looking ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese airline forces disabled man to crawl aboard
Japan's Vanilla Air has apologised after a wheelchair user was ... "We're sorry that we caused him that hardship," a company spokesman told AFP news agency. There have been several other incidents this year involving the treatment of passengers by airlines. ( read original story ...)
Japan: Ex-bosses to go on trial over Fukushima disaster
Many are still living in other parts of Japan, unable or unwilling to go back home ... but anti-nuclear sentiment remains high and there is widespread opposition to the idea. Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. ( read original story ...)
The Best Ramen in Tokyo
He notes: “In the winter, they serve hot Tantanmen, and in the summer, they serve it cold.” In business since 1992, Tonchin is a pioneer of Tokyo tonkotsu ramen—which includes such ingredients as chicken and vegetables in the broth, in addition to ... ( read original story ...)
Japan, EU press ahead on free trade pact to counter US protectionism
TOKYO: Japanese and European Union negotiators meeting in Tokyo aim to reach a free trade deal that would stand against a protectionist tide threatening the global economy, and make the United States think twice over pursuing inward-looking policies. ( read original story ...)
Unclaimed land in Japan equivalent to size of Kyushu
TOKYO -- Land equivalent to the size of Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island, is currently unclaimed, an expert study group said in a report, after reviewing several government surveys on property registrations across the nation. In the report, released on ... ( read original story ...)
Japan MOF proposes raising short-term JGB offer in liquidity auction
TOKYO, June 28 Japan's Ministry of Finance floated a plan on Wednesday to increase the size of short-term Japanese government bond issue through so-called liquidity-enhancing auctions to ease their shortage, a senior ministry official said. The plan was ... ( read original story ...)
Japan Needs New Thinking, And New Anti-Austerity Politicians
He became Minister of Finance for a brief period in 2009, but the LDP lost the power. In 2011, he switched his party to the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to become Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Minister of State for the ... ( read original story ...)
IOC’s Coates stresses cost cuts during Tokyo visit
IOC Vice President John Coates kicked off a three-day evaluation of Tokyo's preparations for the 2020 Olympics on Wednesday by emphasizing the need for further cost cuts. The price tag of the 2020 Games has ballooned since Tokyo won the bid, even after a ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s public broadcaster mulls fee for streaming
TOKYO -- Japan's national public broadcast company NHK could levy a new mandatory fee for programming streamed on smartphones and similar devices -- a move that would affect the growing number of households that do not own televisions. The proposal was ... ( read original story ...)
Japan banks slash JGB holdings to record lows
TOKYO -- Japanese banks have sold off domestic government bonds to their lowest holding levels on record, scrambling for near-term profit as negative interest rates erode spreads in core lending operations. Holdings of Japanese government bonds were down ... ( read original story ...)
Japan is so worried about North Korea’s missiles, there’s a waiting list for bomb shelters
People in Japan have been rushing to buy nuclear bomb shelters and air purifiers because of a fear that North Korea may launch a missile attack without notice. Now the country's suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand, forcing people onto a waiting ... ( read original story ...)