Earthquake forecasts are bogus

At least once a year, Japan’s government issues alarming but bogus earthquake forecasts (e.g.,”Hokkaido’s risk of M9 quake at 40 percent,” The Japan Times, Dec. 20) which are routinely and unquestioningly reported by the media. This must stop. ( read original story ...)

Japan government to promote fugu exports to Asia

It hopes to attain the goal by promoting fugu as a new “Japanese brand” foodstuff. Fugu has poison in various parts of the body, such as its skin and testis, depending on the species. In Japan, a licensing system for cooking fugu has been established. ( read original story ...)

Japan supports Philippines industrial vision

Citing results from a survey conducted by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Shinoda said the Philippines is ranked number eight among potential business destinations of Japanese manufacturing companies. In the JBIC survey, the top factor ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Warns of Impending Mega-Quake to Rival 2011 Shock

The Japanese government has cautioned that an earthquake to rival even the disastrous 2011 Tohoku earthquake that led to 18,000 deaths may strike the island of Hokkaido sometime within the next 30 years. The Tokyo-funded Earthquake Research Committee (ERC ... ( read original story ...)

Expo, casinos and shinkansen at top of Kansai’s 2018 agenda

For Osaka, the next 11 months will be spent on all manner of public relations efforts at home and abroad, via Japan’s embassies and major business lobbies, to overcome the Paris bid in particular. It will not be easy. Paris can count on most if not all ... ( read original story ...)

Japan might push through TPP without Canada

Japan's top diplomat in Western Canada is urging B.C. government and business officials to reconsider the merits of the newly re-formed, 11-member Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11), despite Ottawa’s controversial decision to back out of a document ... ( read original story ...)

Japan unveils record defence budget against North Korea threat

Japan’s defence budget will swell to a record USD 46 billion for the next fiscal year, the government said today, as the nation shores up its missile shield against the threat posed by North Korea. The defence spending was part of a $860-billion national ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Nuclear Exports: Risky Business

While Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s electoral victory in October has generated plenty of debate regarding prospective constitutional change, another highly controversial issue — nuclear power — has largely escaped attention despite being ... ( read original story ...)