Thousands of Japanese revellers flooded Osaka's the banks of famous canals to ring in the New Year despite chilly temperatures. But the highlight of the night was a young Australian tourist skolling a beer before leaping from a bridge into the freezing ... ( read original story ...)
Rising star Osaka earns idol's praise
Naomi Osaka, who was voted WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016, takes the court against German Annika Beck this afternoon in the ASB Classic. Osaka turned heads last year, when she rocketed from outside the top 200 to 40 in the world, reaching the final in ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo shares fall by break on last trading day of year
Tokyo shares edged down Friday morning, on the final trading day of 2016, taking their downward lead from the US and a stronger yen. But shares in troubled Toshiba jumped following a three-day bloodletting in which investors dumped shares over a massive ... ( read original story ...)
Subaru’s BRZ STI Sport concept gets a more aggressive look for Tokyo debut
At first glance, the Subaru BRZ STI Sport concept debuting at the Tokyo Auto Salon seems like it could deliver. It bears the name of Subaru’s STI performance division after all. But the concept will likely focus more on cosmetic upgrades, and it’s ... ( read original story ...)
Kanagawa cops: Motorcyclist dies after plunging from Yokohama expressway
KANAGAWA (TR) – A male motorcyclist died after he plunged from an expressway in Yokohama, police said on Saturday. The man in his 40s died after he fell at least 10 meters from an expressway at around 9:30 a.m., Nippon News Network reports (Dec. 31). ( read original story ...)
Osaka cops: Man’s leg cut off by train after he falls from platform
OSAKA (TR) – An intoxicated man in his 20s fell from a train ... The man fell from the Midosuji Line platform, which does not have railings, at Nagai Station at around 7 a.m., Nippon News Network reports (Dec. 31). The conductor of the train didn ... ( read original story ...)
Comfortable yet budget friendly! 15 Recommended Business Hotels in Asakusa and Ueno
There are 26 spaces in their tower parking lot, so it’s extremely recommended for both business and sightseeing. From the largest bath, you can spend a leisurely time gazing out at Tokyo Skytree and at pleasure cruises floating along the Sumida River. ( read original story ...)
Sask. Huskies share culture with Japanese volleyball team in exchange for tune-up
The dogs are hosting a team from Japan’s International Budo University in the second half of an overseas exchange to train in Saskatoon for just over a week. Saskatchewan won both matches on Thursday and Friday at the Physical Activity Complex (PAC), but ... ( read original story ...)
Japan eyes trilateral talks with China, South Korea in Feb – Kyodo
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan has approached China 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 ... ( read original story ...)
BANK OF JAPAN : DBRS Downgrades Japan to A, Stable trend
DBRS, Inc. has downgraded Japan's long-term foreign and local currency issuer ratings to A, and the country's short-term foreign and local currency issuer ratings to R-1 (low). The trend on all ratings is changed to Stable. The downgrade reflects DBRS's ... ( read original story ...)
The Japanese parents who apologise for their children
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 ...)