BREAKING: Huge 5.8 magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan coast

The quake hit 218 miles (351 km) east of Sendai, Honshu, at a depth of 5.9 miles (9.5 km). The USGS initially recorded the quake as having a 6.1 magnitude but this was later downgraded to a 5.8. It is unclear yet if there was any damage to villages and ... ( read original story ...

Earthquake measuring 5.8 magnitude strikes off coast of Japan

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Japan. The tremor rumbled south-east of the city of Kamaish, on the country's Pacific coast, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake happened six miles beneath the Earth's surface at 10.24pm ... ( read original story ...)

Japan regulator to step up checks on struggling regional banks

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's financial regulator will step up scrutiny of the country's struggling regional banks, it said on Friday, as it aims to force lenders straining for profitability to shore up potentially risky business models. The Financial Services ... ( read original story ...)

Amazon brings the Echo to Japan

To learn more and subscribe, please click here. Amazon has released its Echo smart speakers in Japan, continuing its expansion of the family of devices beyond the US and Europe, reports TechCrunch. The company will also make the Alexa voice assistant ... ( read original story ...)

Trump says US will arm Japan to knock down Korea missiles

He told a group of American and Japanese business leaders: the United States was open for business, but he wanted to reshape the nations' trade relationship, though he did not say how he would cut the trade deficit with Japan, which totalled nearly $70 ... ( read original story ...)

Ancient construction is a model for earthquake-safe buildings

Horyu-ji's pagoda is a monument to stability in a land of seismic instability; it has stayed upright despite nearly 50 earthquakes of magnitude 7.0-plus having struck Japan during the building's lifespan. Japanese builders used a shinbashira — a large ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s quirky, quake-resistant dome homes prove popular

“Not a single pane of glass broke.” The dome houses can withstand wind and earthquakes because they have no beams that can be broken, Konishi said. Japan Dome House, the company that makes the polystyrene pieces used in the structures, said after the ... ( read original story ...)

Nissan cuts operating profit forecast after Japan recall

"I would like to express my apologies to customers, business partners, dealers and all the people who have been supporting Nissan," he said. Japan's second-largest carmaker suspended local production for about three weeks after it revealed uncertified ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s earthquake-resistant dome houses

Nestled near a volcano in southern Japan, 450 quake-resistant dome houses put up by a health resort and decorated with flowers and dinosaurs are drawing visitors from across Asia. A dozen polystyrene foam pieces, each so light that two adults can.. ( read original story ...)

Asiana Airlines Busan to Osaka – Osaka Forum

I will be travelling from Busan to Osaka on the 14th of May. Prior to that I will be going to Malaysia and Shanghai before a 2 weeks holiday in Seoul/Busan. We will be travelling via business class which gives us 40kg luggage. However we are planning to ... ( read original story ...)

Trump lashes out at ‘unfair’ Japan trade ties

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Japan over trade and said he would push for a fairer economic relationship between the two countries. Speaking to business leaders in Tokyo on Monday he said Japan "has been winning" on trade in recent decades. ( read original story ...)

The Latest: Trump expects large-scale military sale to Japan

Reporters were unable to hear the conversation. 10 a.m. President Donald Trump has raised the touchy issue of trade with Japanese business leaders. Trump says in remarks to business leaders in Tokyo that the U.S. and Japan will have “more trade than ... ( read original story ...)