Will Japan’s haven status hold up amid North Korean tensions?

“At the time of [Japan’s] earthquake [and subsequent tsunami] in 2011, the yen rallied against almost everything else. This kind of repatriation is typical, so there’s a precedent here despite the geographical closeness [to North Korea] and the fact ... ( read original story ...)

Japan taps B.C. alumni networks to strengthen business ties

The popularity of a program recruiting B.C. university graduates to work in Japan as temporary English teachers is rebounding – something officials hope will translate to a larger alumni network that aids Tokyo’s development of business ties with ... ( read original story ...)

U.S. veteran returns dead Japanese soldier’s flag

HIGASHISHIRAKAWA, Japan -- Tatsuya Yasue buried his face into the flag and smelled it. Then he held the 93-year-old hands that brought this treasure home, and kissed them. Marvin Strombo, who had taken the calligraphy-covered Japanese flag from a dead ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese siblings accept WWII soldier’s flag from US veteran

HIGASHISHIRAKAWA, Japan — The former U.S. Marine knew the calligraphy-covered flag he took from a fallen Japanese soldier 73 years ago was more than a keepsake of World War II. When Marvin Strombo finally handed the flag back to Sadao Yasue's younger ... ( read original story ...)

The Latest: US WWII vet says he, Japan family can move on

The Latest on a U.S. veteran returning a fallen Japanese soldier's flag to the man's relatives (all times local): 7 p.m. A U.S. World War II veteran says by returning a flag he took from a fallen Japanese soldier to his siblings, both he and the family can ... ( read original story ...)

Japan honors dead in 72nd anniversary of WWII surrender

Aug. 15 (UPI) --Japan commemorated the 72nd anniversary of its surrender at the end of World War II with a state-sponsored ceremony in Tokyo, attended by relatives of the war dead. Although aging relatives were conspicuously absent, more than 6,000 people ... ( read original story ...)

Japan looks to put more abandoned property to use

TOKYO -- Japan plans to have municipalities gather information on deserted housing stock and mediate either the sale of property or its conversion into public space such as parkland, slowing a rise in vacancies as the country's population falls. ( read original story ...)