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 ...)

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 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 ...)

Japan zoo releases 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 ...)

Rear admiral to investigate fatal Navy collision off Japan

A rear admiral has been named to head the U.S. Navy's investigation into a collision off Japan that took the lives of seven sailors aboard the USS Fitzgerald. The Japan-based 7th Fleet said Friday that Brian Fort would lead the probe into the crash with a ... ( read original story ...)