A strong earthquake shook residents Sunday in a mountainous region of central Japan, injuring at least two people and knocking roof tiles off homes. The magnitude 5.6 quake struck about 7 a.m. at a shallow depth of 7 kilometers (4 miles) in Nagano ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s government bond market grinding to a halt
This marks the longest period of stagnation since 1994, according to data from Nikkei affiliate QUICK. The implied volatility of Japanese government bonds reached its lowest point since January 2008. Trading in newly issued 10-year debt has become so ... ( read original story ...)
Women’s canoe added to 2020 Olympics, opening doors for female athletes
When the International Olympic Committee announced last week that women's canoe events will be added to the 2020 Games, it was news Hannah MacIntosh had been ... C-1 200-metre and C-2 500-metre races at the Tokyo Games. Until now, those Olympic events ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo, Japan: Three rules to see the secret side of the city
Peace and quiet in Tokyo? A lost cause? Holidaying Australians go elsewhere to relax. In Tokyo, which we’re visiting in increasing numbers, we chase excitement. We want to experience the famed hustle-and-bustle of a capital where innovative architecture ... ( read original story ...)
Scandal clouds outlook for Japan’s Abe, Tokyo poll may give clues
TOKYO Just a few months ago, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked ... "Chief Cabinet Secretary (Yoshihide) Suga's haughty attitude at his news conference and his attack on the former official personally were a mistake," said one Liberal Democratic Party ... ( read original story ...)
Campaigning for Tokyo polls kicks off
Official campaigning kicked off yesterday for the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election, seen as a bellwether for national trends. A total of 259 candidates will be vying for 127 seats in the election on July 2, which will pit the ruling Liberal Democratic ... ( read original story ...)
From Bronx to Tokyo, Darvish vs Tanaka creates buzz
By the time Tanaka bounded out to the mound and warmed up to the peppy music of Japanese girl band Momoiro Clover Z, it was 8:47 p.m. for the first pitch — that was 9:47 a.m. Saturday in Tokyo for the national telecast back in his homeland. "Breakfast at ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo zoo announces baby panda’s sex
Tokyo: A baby panda recently born in Japan is a girl, a Tokyo zoo said, adding that the little cub appeared to be in good health. Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo celebrated the first birth of a baby panda in five years on June 12, prompting rolling television reports ... ( read original story ...)
Budget cuts threaten rollout of earthquake early warning system
Now, those plans, and the lives it could save, could be in jeopardy. In an earthquake zone every second counts. Early warning systems are already operational in Mexico and Japan. Prior to a massive 9.0 quake in 2011 people in Tokyo got a quake warning of ... ( read original story ...)
Toshiba stock knocked from top-tier listing as financial woes deepen
... brunt of its financial pain after delaying its full-year financial report for a sixth time. But the gloomier outlook is enough to trigger an automatic demotion to the second rung of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The move was not unexpected after the Tokyo ... ( read original story ...)
Europe and Japan Near Trade Deal as U.S. Takes Protectionist Path
The European Union and Japan are close to sealing one of the largest trade agreements ever, a deal that could further isolate the United States as President Trump forges a protectionist path. The deal, which brings together two giants encompassing a ... ( read original story ...)
Japan zoo reveals gender of star panda
TOKYO - The baby panda, who has become an overnight celebrity in Japan, is a girl. Tokyo's Ueno Zoo said Friday the panda, born June 12, was ruled a female by examining experts. The still nameless cub has been doing well, drinking mother ShinShin's milk. ( read original story ...)
Mao Kobayashi: Japanese cancer blogger dies at 34
A former Japanese newsreader who won legions of admirers after deciding to publicly chronicle her battle with cancer has died of the disease. Mao Kobayashi, who was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2016, died late on Thursday at home in Tokyo ... ( read original story ...)
Japan is Looking to Upgrade Property Record Systems Using Blockchain
Japanese authorities are looking into using bitcoin’s blockchain technology to better manage their property and rela estate records. Since the Mt. Gox hacking incident, the Japanese government has carefully tried to properly regulate the bitcoin ... ( read original story ...)
Bank of Japan April meeting minutes note asset purchases will fluctuate on market conditions
Bank of Japan policymakers agreed that the amount of government debt purchases will fluctuate under its quantitative easing program, minutes of the central bank's April 26-27 policy meeting showed on Wednesday. Members also said such fluctuations do not ... ( read original story ...)
Japan eyes bigger bite of China’s rice market
TOKYO -- With Sino-Japanese relations showing signs of warming, Tokyo is working to persuade Beijing to accept more Japanese rice in hopes of giving domestic farmers greater access to a market hungry for high-quality imports. Toshihiro Nikai, secretary ... ( read original story ...)