Excitement builds for Japan’s Wagyu Olympics

Japan’s top cattle and meat producers are gearing up to ... this year for the first time since much of its eastern area was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. This year, Miyagi was chosen from among Tohoku’s six prefectures because ... ( read original story ...)

Minimal compliance on quake standard – engineer

Fewer than 34 multi-storey New Zealand buildings have fully complied with earthquake restraints standards since they ... Concert Hall that was damaged in the 2011 Fukushima quake in Japan, where the destroyed ceiling and ruptured sprinkler system led ... ( read original story ...)

Solar scientists rough up silicon panels to boost light capture

(Nanowerk News) Power generation cost using solar panels depends on ... Now a team of scientists at Osaka University has taken a step closer to making inexpensive solar cells that can deliver the same high efficiency as more complex and expensive cells ... ( read original story ...)

Divorcee destroys ex’s $1m violin collection in Japan

The most valuable instrument among the 54 casualties is an Italian-made violin worth 50m yen, the Kyodo news agency said. According to Japanese media, the woman is a Chinese national and was arrested on Tuesday upon returning from China to Tokyo. ( read original story ...)

Nestle to open Japan factory for exotic Kit Kat demand

These are external links and will open in a new window Nestle is to open its first factory in Japan in more than 25 years because of demand for exotic flavours of Kit Kat. While traditionally the wafer snack has been made using milk chocolate, dozens of ... ( read original story ...)

Japan opens its doors to property start-ups

The number of foreigners working in Japan topped one million for the first time this year, but official data showed that nearly 40 per cent of foreign residents who sought housing in the last five years were turned down at least once as they are not Japanese. ( read original story ...)

Light earthquake: M4.3 quake has struck near Miyako in Japan

A light earthquake magnitude 4.3 (ml/mb) strikes 127 km ENE of Miyako, Japan (79 miles) on Wednesday. Exact location of earthquake, longitude 143.2685 East, latitude 40.1816 North, depth = 34.49 km. The earthquake was roughly at a depth of 34.49 km (21 miles). ( read original story ...)

Google adds SOS Alerts to search results, maps

Japan, Philippines, Australia and Canada. Google's Public Alerts complement SOS Alerts by helping the local and public authorities communicate emergency messages specifically related to official weather, public safety and earthquake alerts. According to ... ( read original story ...)