Japan’s manufacturing sector is slowing down

Activity levels across Japan’s manufacturing sector grew at the slowest pace in seven months in June. The Nikkei-IHS Markit flash manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell to 52.0 from 53.1, leaving it at the lowest level since December last year. ( read original story ...)

Japan-Russian oil exploration project meets with U.S. resistance

A Japanese group’s plans to explore for Russian oil with state-run Rosneft PJSC have been stymied by U.S. intervention over sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter. Washington’s objection to the Japanese project to explore for oil in ... ( read original story ...)

In Japan, earthquakes are just a day in the park

KOBE, Japan — Somehow, it’s not surprising that the country that gave us Godzilla and elevated fake food to a fine art has also found a way to make earthquake preparedness entertaining. Guided by the philosophy that experience is the best teacher ... ( read original story ...)

Tennis-Venus wins the generation game against exciting Osaka

LONDON, July 7 (Reuters) - Naomi Osaka wasn't even born when Venus Williams made her debut at the All England Club, but it was the 37-year-old who triumphed on Friday to book her place in the last 16 at Wimbledon. It was by no means easy though for five ... ( read original story ...)

EU, Japan reach ‘political agreement’ on free-trade deal

One detail still to be ironed out in the coming months is how disputes arising from the treaty will be settled – a touchy subject in Europe due to concerns that such pacts give too much power to big business. The accord, EU and Japanese officials say ... ( read original story ...)

Japan looks to trigger sales of weaponry

Until a few years ago, the idea of an international arms fair in Japan would have struck many as ludicrous. Japanese troops have not fired a weapon in war since the nation’s once-powerful military was defanged by the US occupation in 1945. Japan’s ... ( read original story ...)

Magnitude 6.5 earthquake kills at least two in Philippines

TACLOBAN, PHILIPPINES – A strong earthquake damaged a power plant, caused landslides and cracked buildings and roads in the central Philippines, injuring scores of people and cutting off outlying villages. An east-central area of the archipelago was ... ( read original story ...)

NZ, US and Japanese scientists research earthquakes off Bay coast

Scientists have been researching earthquakes and tsunamis off the coast of Hawke's Bay as part of a national project. Scientists from New Zealand, United States of America and Japan have spent the last week gathering data from the seafloor off the coast of ... ( read original story ...)

‘Gloomy Japan’ highlights a loss of hope

Genda thinks the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, played a big part in recalibrating people’s views on what is important. If that’s true, it may be something good that has come from that disaster. Natural Selections covers issues related ... ( read original story ...)

Light earthquake, 4.2 mag strikes near Ryugasaki in Japan

A light earthquake magnitude 4.2 (ml/mb) strikes 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Ryugasaki in Japan on Monday. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 73.43 km (46 miles). All ids that are associated to the event: us20009pal. Unique identifier: us20009pal. ( read original story ...)

Why Did Montana Experience a Powerful Earthquake Last Night?

But it also rumbled in the Philippines. Come to think of it, it rumbled in Vanuatu and Japan too. The Earth rumbles a lot. Folks were especially surprised by the earthquake that registered a 5.8 on the Richter scale in Montana. Why? Well, we’re America ... ( read original story ...)