Apologies are common in Japan, indeed it is virtually a cliche about the country. But 2016 has seen some controversial public acts of contrition - notably parents standing up before the public to say sorry for their adult children's alleged criminal offences. ( read original story ...)
Japan eyes trilateral talks with China, South Korea in February: Kyodo
... and South Korea about holding a trilateral summit in Tokyo in February aimed at deepening cooperation on such issues as a free trade deal, the environment and counter-terrorism, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday. Disagreements over North Korea ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo cops: Pedestrian struck, killed by distracted cyclist in Roppongi
TOKYO (TR) – A man was struck and killed in near the Roppongi ... was killed after the 32-year-old cyclist hit him on a sloped passageway some two meters wide, TBS News reports (Dec. 31). The cyclist was riding down the passageway without his ... ( read original story ...)
Subaru to debut BRZ STI Sport concept at 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon
Subaru and its official performance arm STI have an interesting concept based on the BRZ due for a reveal at the upcoming 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon. The concept is called the BRZ STI Sport and is described as a more mature take on the Subaru sports car. ( read original story ...)
Final Olympics price tag almost certain to exceed current estimate
This is the first in a six-part New Year’s series examining how Japan is preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. On Dec. 21, the organizers of the Tokyo Summer Games announced that the 2020 sports extravaganza will cost no more than ¥1.8 ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo bar actually model ‘secret base’ for Gundam fanatics
A small bar in Tokyo’s Nakano Ward is becoming popular with middle-aged men who like to make plastic models of characters from the “Mobile Suit Gundam” cartoon. “It’s like a secret base,” said Kentaro Nonaka, 36, a company worker who lives in ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo-based firm shares fall to 25pc
Tokyo. Toshiba shares dived more than 25 per cent Thursday, their third straight double-digit plunge, following the company’s warning of a possible one-time loss of several billion dollars over its US nuclear business. The troubled company’s stock ... ( read original story ...)
Tempura from Osaka
My favourite tempura bar, Tenshin at Regent Singapore hotel, just got itself some competition. Ippoh Tempura Bar by Osaka's Ginza Ippoh opened earlier this month at Como Dempsey. The family- owned Ippoh brand dates back to 1850 and is said to be the oldest ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese car makers rev up in race to lure IT workers
The auto makers “operate within extremely strict budgets and the business is generally low margin.” Japanese companies suffer from a dearth of domestic talent and the perception their business is more “mature and slow moving” than the new wave of ... ( read original story ...)
ALEX BRUMMER: Why the plight of Japan and the collapse of Toshiba affects us all
There is a tendency to regard Japan as a benign owner of British assets. Unlike China it is not intent on shoplifting intellectual property and it is a stable Western-style democracy. It also has been a good investor in the UK, from Nissan in Sunderland ... ( read original story ...)
Japan Earthquake: 5.9-Magnitude Quake Made Ibaraki City Tremble
A Japan earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has reached 5.9-magnitude. The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported that is was at 6.3-magnitude. There were no tsunami warnings reported. The earthquake occurred 9:38 p.m ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo down again as Asian markets end volatile year
Tokyo retreated again Friday despite Toshiba's shares ending their three-day free fall as Asian markets prepared to bring the curtain down on a volatile 2016. With Wall Street inching back further from breaching the historic 20,000 barrier, Japanese stocks ... ( read original story ...)
OCA head would back Sapporo bid for 2024 Games
Sapporo will have the full backing of Asia should the city formally bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said in an interview with Kyodo News. Sapporo, which will host the Asian Winter Games ... ( read original story ...)
Asia-Pacific IPO mkt to rebound from weak 2016 on Chinese deals
Share sales in Asia ex-Japan are set to rebound in 2017 from three-year lows this year, driven by listings of financial firms in Greater China, including the world's biggest fintech IPO, and a further revival of offerings in India, bankers and investors said. ( read original story ...)
Japan's defense minister visits controversial shrine after Pearl Harbor
Japan's Kyodo News service reported that Abe, who was golfing outside Tokyo, refused comment when asked about Inada's visit. The defense minister doffed her shoes on her way into the shrine, and afterward told waiting journalists, "Regardless of ... ( read original story ...)
Head of Japan's largest advertising agency resigns after suicide of overworked employee
The head of Japan's largest advertising agency has said he will resign following the "death by overwork" of a young employee who put in hundreds of hours in overtime. Matsuri Takahashi, a 24-year-old worker at Dentsu, took her own life in December last ... ( read original story ...)