Japan culling 210,000 birds amid spreading avian flu

Tokyo: Japan has begun slaughtering about 210,000 farm birds in northern Hokkaido to contain another outbreak of a highly contagious strain of avian flu, an official said Sunday. It is the fifth mass cull this winter in Japan with hundreds of officials ... ( read original story ...)

Breakthrough in Japan, Russia islands row eludes PM Abe, Putin

The islands in the Western Pacific, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia ... "The issue won’t be solved if each of us just make their own case," Abe said at a news conference with Putin. "We need to make efforts ... ( 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 ...)

Japan, Russia Sign Economic 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 ...)

The Latest: Japan's Abe promises help for Russian industry

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the business community ... of peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition. Putin said Friday at a news conference in Tokyo that the negotiations would take place in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. ( read original story ...)

Russia, Japan make no progress on territorial dispute

Putin and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wrapped up two days of talks on Thursday with numerous economic deals but no big breakthrough on a territorial row. Rather, the two leaders agreed to launch talks on joint economic activities on the disputed ... ( read original story ...)

Japan largest holder of US debt

Japan surpassed China in October as the largest foreign owner of US Treasury securities, the first time the countries have swapped places in nearly two years. Total foreign holdings fell for a fourth month. The Treasury Department says that total foreign ... ( read original story ...)

Wylfa Newydd: UK government holds talks in Japan

Plans for a £12bn nuclear power plant in Wales has been a focus for talks between the UK chancellor and the Japanese government. Philip Hammond said he hoped more discussions mean "we are able to move forward in the new year". Japanese-owned Horizon ... ( read original story ...)