Nagoya group looks to spread jump rope ‘culture’ to the world

Japan Jump Rope Project (JJRP), a nonprofit organization based in Nagoya’s Moriyama Ward, has applied to designate July 8 as Rope Day. It has also donated jump ropes to schools overseas and to disaster-hit regions. In mid-March, the organization held the ... ( read original story ...)

Tax cut advocate Kawamura cruises to fourth term as Nagoya mayor

NAGOYA – Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura easily won re-election to a fourth term Sunday on popular support for his tax reduction policies. Kawamura, 68, who leads a local political party called Tax Cut Japan, ran against two other candidates — Masateru ... ( read original story ...)

Asian stocks mixed as investors examine French election outcome

TOKYO -- Asian stocks were mixed Monday as investors weighed the results of the first round of the French presidential election. KEEPING SCORE: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.3 per cent in morning trading to 18,870.24. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0 ... ( read original story ...)

U.S. carrier heading for Korea trains with Japanese destroyers

TOKYO -- An American aircraft carrier heading toward the Korean Peninsula began joint exercises Sunday with Japanese naval ships in the Philippine Sea. Two Japanese destroyers joined the USS Carl Vinson and two other U.S. warships as they continued their ... ( read original story ...)

Adelaide United stopper John Hall too tall for Osaka hotel room

ADELAIDE United arrived a day earlier than expected in Osaka but the team hotel is not what most Reds had expected before Tuesday’s AFC Champions League clash against Gamba Osaka. Reserve gloveman John Hall, 194cm, needed to bend his knees to get inside ... ( read original story ...)

Kawamura looks set to secure fourth term as Nagoya mayor

NAGOYA – Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura was set to be re-elected for the fourth time in Sunday’s mayoral election, with many citizens backing his tax cut policies, early returns showed. Kawamura, 68, who leads a local political party called Tax Cut ... ( read original story ...)

US warship in west Pacific for Japan navy drills: Tokyo

Tokyo (AFP) - The US supercarrier Carl Vinson will start joint exercises with Japan's navy on Sunday, Tokyo's defence ministry said, as the warship passes through the western Pacific after days of contention over its whereabouts. The strike group is in the ... ( read original story ...)