Shares in some of the world's biggest gambling firms have rallied after the legalisation of casinos in Japan moved a step closer. A parliamentary panel approved a long-awaited bill, effectively meaning it is guaranteed to become law, possibly as soon as ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese tourist dies at Australia's Great Barrier Reef
An elderly Japanese woman has died while snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, in the fourth tourist death at the Australian attraction in a month. The 75-year-old was pulled from the water on Tuesday at Moore Reef, about 45km (30 miles) from Cairns. ( read original story ...)
Light earthquake, 4.5 mag strikes near Namie in Japan
A light earthquake magnitude 4.5 (ml/mb) strikes 44 kilometers (27 miles) from Namie in Japan on Tuesday. A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist). The temblor was detected at 09:47:11 / 9:47 am ... ( read original story ...)
US Osprey aircraft crashes off Okinawa coast in Japan
The US maintains two Osprey squadrons in Japan, according to Reuters ... it could have fallen on where we are living," local resident Yuri Soma told Kyodo news agency. Local anger against the US military has intensified in recent months after a civilian ... ( read original story ...)
Christmas gifts arrive at International Space Station, thanks to Japan
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.—Christmas gifts arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday, courtesy of Japan. A Japanese cargo ship pulled up at the orbiting lab four days after launching. The capsule — called Kounotori, or white stork — contains ... ( read original story ...)
Japan Launches ‘Space Garbage Truck’ Into Orbit to Clean Up Space Debris
The outer space could do with some cleaning up, and a Japanese space vehicle has a solution. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently launched into orbit a space junk collector to clean up space debris. Kounotori, which means stork in Japanese ... ( read original story ...)
BOJ survey shows cheaper yen lifts Japan business sentiment
TOKYO (AP) — Business sentiment among Japan's automakers and other big manufacturers has improved slightly, according to the latest quarterly survey by the Japanese central bank. The Bank of Japan's "tankan" survey for December showed its measure of ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Asahi expands in Europe with AB InBev beer deal
Also reaching outside Japan, Sumitomo Corp agreed last week to buy Ireland ... “The deal has become very expensive,” said John Colley, a professor at Warwick Business School, but he added AB InBev, known for its frugal culture, could exceed its ... ( read original story ...)
Putin makes him beg: Vladimir gets his dog to earn a treat after snubbing Japan's offer of a new puppy ahead of discussions over territorial dispute
In an attempt at dog diplomacy, Japan had planned to give the Russian president ... to Putin four years ago as a thank you gift for Russia's help after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. 'Unfortunately, we received a reply yesterday that they will not ... ( read original story ...)
Christmas delivery at space station, courtesy of Japan
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Christmas gifts arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday, courtesy of Japan. A Japanese cargo ship pulled up at the orbiting lab four days after launching. The capsule -- called Kounotori, or white stork -- contains ... ( read original story ...)
Yokohama has previously seen Real Madrid become world champions
The Whites lifted the 2002 Intercontinental Cup in Yokohama. Real Madrid boast previous experience of winning silverware in Yokohama after lifting the Intercontinental Cup there in 2002, as they ran out 2-0 winners against Paraguay's Olimpia de Asunción. ( read original story ...)
Fly with class, comfort to North America through Tokyo with ANA
Good news for both Filipino and foreign business-class passengers headed to North America: All Nippon Airways (ANA) now offers connected travel to North American destinations from the Philippines through Tokyo, Japan. Travelers can fly to the key cities of ... ( read original story ...)
Light earthquake 4.5 mag, 41 km ESE of Namie, Japan
A light earthquake magnitude 4.5 (ml/mb) has struck on Tuesday, 41 kilometers (25 miles) from Namie in Japan. The epicenter of the earthquake was roughly 33.85 km (21 miles) below the earth’s surface. A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not ... ( read original story ...)
US, S. Korea, Japan Vow Cooperation Over N. Korea Sanctions
Top nuclear envoys from South Korea, the United States and Japan pledged Tuesday to implement new sanctions against North Korea, including capping the country's coal exports to choke off cash flowing into its nuclear weapons program. After meeting in Seoul ... ( read original story ...)
Universal Studios Japan to debut Nintendo-themed area in 2020
OSAKA – The operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka said Monday that it will open a Nintendo-themed area featuring the game maker’s popular characters by summer 2020, investing over ¥50 billion ($432 million). USJ Co. said it will create an area ... ( read original story ...)
Lawson, Panasonic team up to test robotic cashier-bagger at Osaka store
The system, dubbed Reji Robo, short for register robots, debuted at an outlet of Lawson in Osaka Prefecture on Monday. Lawson plans to eventually introduce the machine at its stores nationwide to alleviate a staff shortage and for peak-time congestion. ( read original story ...)