OFFICIAL: Irfan Bachdim leaves Consadole Sapporo

The Indonesian star is set to leave Consadole Sapporo after spending less than one year at the J-League club. Irfan Bachdim announced on his Instagram account that he will part ways with J-League club Consadole Sapporo. "After two great seasons with ... ( read original story ...)

Coca-Cola No. 1 in Japan with drinks galore, but not Coke

EBINA, Japan -- Coca-Cola has been the No. 1 beverage maker in Japan for half a century, but it's not thanks to the popularity of Coke. Instead, the American soft-drink brand has adapted to the quirky ways this society quenches its thirst. Coca-Cola's ... ( read original story ...)

Space’s Trash Collector? A Japanese Entrepreneur Wants the Job

who put Astroscale’s headquarters in start-up-friendly Singapore but is building its spacecraft in his native Japan, where he found more engineers. “My breakthrough is figuring out how to make this into a business.” Scientists say there could be tens ... ( read original story ...)

Donald Trump victory gives Japan’s giant pension fund a boost

The unconventional president-elect’s victory is helping Japan’s giant pension fund in two important ways. First, it’s sending stock markets surging, both at home and overseas, which is good news for the largely passive equity investor. Second ... ( read original story ...)

Santa’s reindeer head to Japan to deliver pizza

Residents in northern Japan may get warm pizzas delivered by Rudolph this Christmas as Domino’s Japan is testing to see if reindeers were suitable for deliveries in the snowy region of Hokkaido. Footage released by the company showed reindeer’s ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Fukushima nuclear plant 'clean-up costs double'

Japan's government estimates the cost of cleaning up radioactive contamination and compensating victims of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster has more than doubled, reports say. The latest estimate from the trade ministry put the expected cost at some 20 ... ( read original story ...)

Japan: Repaired Fukuoka sinkhole sinks again

A Japanese road in which a giant sinkhole was hastily repaired earlier this month has again shown signs of subsidence, officials say. The repaired road in Fukuoka sank by about 7cm (2.7in) on Saturday over a 30-sq-m (322 sq-ft) area and was temporarily closed. ( read original story ...)

More awards for Japanese star pitcher-batter Otani

TOKYO -- Shohei Otani was honoured for both his batting and pitching on Monday when he was named Most Valuable Player of Japan's Pacific League. Otani helped the Nippon Ham Fighters win the Pacific League pennant and the Japan Series this season. ( read original story ...)

Japanese skating rink featuring frozen fish causes a stink

About 25 different kinds of fish were inserted into the new attraction at the Space World theme park in Kitakyushu, Japan, with some arranged into words and shapes to create what the owners called an "ice aquarium". Following the opening of the 820ft rink ... ( read original story ...)