Putin dismissed the notion that he was only interested in getting economic benefits from Japan. "If anyone thinks we're interested only in developing economic links and a peace deal is of secondary importance, that's not the case," he told the same news ... ( read original story ...)
Bird flu outbreak hits zoo events linked to Year of Rooster in Japan
TOKYO - The recent outbreak of a highly virulent strain of bird flu in Japan has taken a toll on bird exhibits and events at zoos nationwide ahead of the Chinese zodiac Year of the Rooster in 2017, a survey by Kyodo News showed Sunday. According to the ... ( read original story ...)
Japan, Russia sign economic development pacts; stalemate on territory
Joint economic development "would help foster trust toward a peace treaty," Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after meetings in Japan over two days. Asked about developments in Syria ... ( read original story ...)
Sports trends 2017: why you'll be surfing your way through next year
This past August it was announced that for the first time ever surfing would be classed as an Olympic sport after being added to the Tokyo 2020 sports program. The news was celebrated by many surfers around the world who were thrilled that their favorite ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo opts for new volleyball venue for 2020 Games
Tokyo 2020 organizers have vowed to keep costs below $20 billion ... Koike also unveiled a plan to sell off the operating rights of the arena to a private company after the Games, Kyodo news agency reported. After taking office earlier this year, Koike ... ( read original story ...)
Tsunami alerts canceled following 7.9 earthquake off Papua New Guinea
past Japan, across the Bering Strait and down to the tip of South America. Quake zone Tremors in this part of the world are fairly common, and earlier this month a magnitude 7.8 earthquake also hit close to the Solomon Islands. That December 9 earthquake ... ( read original story ...)
Kansai towns gear up for the ‘Pork Barrel-ympics’
Oh, and of course some worthwhile international cultural exchange … we hope. View from Osaka is a monthly column that examines the latest news from a Kansai perspective. ( read original story ...)