What was learned from the Osaka earthquake?

KYOTO – Although I am a foreigner, I am no stranger to Japan having visited many times and am now in the middle of my second one-year academic appointment at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute of Kyoto University. The June 18 earthquake that ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo no longer world’s best for quality of life

Home to 9.5 million, Tokyo apparently is an exemplar "for showing that big cities don't have to be harsh and impersonal." Munich’s property prices are some of the highest in Europe. The city ranked eighth in Knight Frank’s Global Residential Cities ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s regions must bypass Tokyo and go global

The 4-year-old economic policy program of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has had such mixed results that there are radically different views on its performance. But there is little dispute that one of the least successful policy baskets is regional ... ( read original story ...)

TOKYO | Bank of Japan survey shows corporate sentiment worsening

TOKYO — A central bank survey released Monday showed Japan’s corporate outlook has worsened from three months ago, highlighting risks to this export-reliant economy from trade tensions. The Bank of Japan’s “tankan” survey measuring confidence ... ( read original story ...)

Bank of Japan survey shows corporate sentiment worsening

TOKYO — A central bank survey released Monday showed Japan’s corporate outlook has worsened from three months ago, highlighting risks to this export-reliant economy from trade tensions. The Bank of Japan’s “tankan” survey measuring confidence ... ( read original story ...)

Japan expands peacekeeping support in Africa and ASEAN

TOKYO -- Japan's Self-Defense Forces will provide more support for United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa and Southeast Asia this fiscal year amid Tokyo's concerns about China's growing presence on such missions. Ground Self-Defense Force ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Christian sites added to UNESCO World Heritage list

A dozen Christian locations in parts of southern Japan where members of the faith were once brutally persecuted were selected for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list on Saturday. The 12 sites include 10 villages, Hara Castle and Oura Cathedral ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s plan at the World Cup is to play like … Japan

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia (AP) — The plan is to play like Japan. The hope is to beat Belgium. The Japanese will face Belgium in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Monday, an underdog against one of the favorites. "We are faced in this stage with new ... ( read original story ...)

Japan to US: Auto tariff would damage US, world economy

TOKYO — Japan’s government has warned in a report that a higher U.S. tariff on auto imports could backfire, jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of American jobs created by Japanese auto-related companies, raising prices for U.S. consumers and ... ( read original story ...)

World’s Biggest Trading Bloc a Step Closer After Tokyo Meeting

Ministers from the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which includes China, Japan and India but not the U.S., met in Tokyo on Sunday to try and thrash out remaining differences. “The path toward a year-end agreement is now clearer ... ( read original story ...)