BREAKING: Earthquake strikes Japan: Magnitude 5.5 rocks Honshu

The quake is not believed to have triggered a tsunami after striking in the dead of night at roughly 1.30am local time (4.40pm GMT). Japan is located on the edge of the so-called 'Ring of Fire' – a hotbed of seismic activity on the edge of one of the ... ( read original story ...)

Second try at Osaka merger referendum faces stiff headwinds

The third district would be made up of the central Osaka business and entertainment districts as well as the southern port area. And the final district would be the area that includes the more working-class districts and middle-class suburbs of the city ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo returns with Summer Games with something new to prove

PYEONGCHANG, Korea, Republic Of — Tokyo used its famous 1964 Olympics to show off a miraculous recovery from defeat in World War II. Japan was back after just 19 years with high-speed trains, geeky gadgets, and dazzling efficiency. Tokyo's back again ... ( read original story ...)

Startups not status: Japan’s top grads rethink success

Astroscale's core business is using satellites equipped with magnets to collect space debris. ANA Holdings and other Japanese corporations have acquired stakes. Like Okada, Seigo Hara was also inspired by a desire to make change. The 36-year-old graduate ... ( read original story ...)

Curling: Japan win bronze to claim first Olympic medal

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - Japan claimed their first Olympic women's curling medal on Saturday, scoring a point in each of the final three ends to edge Britain 5-3 and win the bronze. The match was a tight tactical affair from start to finish with ... ( read original story ...)

Japan venture capital market to stay hot in age of AI

TOKYO -- Japan has a reputation as a difficult place for entrepreneurs to drum up money, yet startups have been striking big fundraising deals in recent years. As a major venture capital player, Jafco is in the thick of the action. The Nikkei spoke with ... ( read original story ...)

Goats, pigs and veggies crop up in urban Tokyo

The animals are among nearly 60 creatures living on a "farm" right smack in the Otemachi business district just a stone's throw from the bustling central Tokyo station. A lift takes you to the Otemachi Bokujyo ("Otemachi Farm") on the 13th floor of a ... ( read original story ...)

China’s environmental crackdown means big business for Japan

TOKYO -- Tougher environmental regulations in China spell major opportunity for Japan's materials and chemical makers, as factories in the Asian economic powerhouse must either adopt technologies to curb pollution or close down. The government in Beijing ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese IPOs set for high water mark this year

Japan produced more than 100 IPOs annually through the early ... Among startup-heavy indexes, the Nikkei Jasdaq Stock Average marked an all-time high on Jan. 26. Although the blue chip Nikkei Stock Average has sunk 4% year to date, the Nikkei Jasdaq ... ( read original story ...)

Kenya’s Kabuu eyes strong comeback at Nagoya marathon

NAIROBI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan Lucy Kabuu who has shaken off her injury is eyeing to win the Nagoya marathon next month to redeem her career. Kabuu, who previously had her camp pitched in Japan, holds a personal best time of 2:19:34 and has been ... ( read original story ...)