TOKYO The Japanese government for the first time released a nationwide list of over 300 companies that have violated labour laws, hoping this name-and-shame tactic would help eliminate abuses and prevent "karoshi," or death by overwork. In the list ... ( read original story ...)
Japan names and shames companies putting employees at risk of death by overwork
In February, Japan’s government launched a campaign urging employees to leave the office at 3pm – so much earlier than usual - on every last Friday of the month Reuters Numerous cases of people dying as a result of being overworked, known in Japan as ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's SoftBank invests $500 million in UK tech start-up Improbable
The investment gives SoftBank a non-controlling stake in Improbable, and, according to the Financial Times, values the British company at over 1 billion pounds ($1.29 billion). The deal is the second major British investment by SoftBank in a year. Last ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's Osaka rolls the dice on being Integrated Resort destination
Osaka, the less glitzy cousin of Tokyo, is pulling out all the stops to put itself at the forefront of Japan's move to roll out integrated resorts (IRs), even as the national government mulls over ways to ease concerns about social ills. Osaka, which is ... ( read original story ...)
WTS Yokohama in Japan: who's racing?
The line up for WTS Yokohama includes Olympic medallist Jonathan Brownlee. This will be Jonny’s first race of the 2017 season after having to pull out of the earlier races in Abu Dhabi and the Gold Coast. Jonny said: “It’s good to be back in Japan ... ( read original story ...)
'Proud to be Japanese' posters star Chinese woman
Japanese Twitter users have called the message behind the Kyoto poster "frightening" and "pathetic", reported news portal SoraNews24. The fact that it appeared in Kyoto, a major tourist destination, was not lost on many. One Twitter user said the "self ... ( read original story ...)
Office tower planned for downtown Vancouver inspired by Japanese lamp
With a design inspired by a Japanese lamp, a new highrise planned for 400 West Georgia Street could become a bright spot on Vancouver's often maligned architectural design scene. According to Westbank Development president Ian Gillespie, the 24 storey ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s fiscal 2016 current account surplus largest in nine years
Japan relies heavily on energy imports, with most of the country’s nuclear power plants offline since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The value of crude oil imports slid 16.1 percent from a year ago and that of liquefied natural gas slumped 26.6 ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo by night: the good and the dark side
Back from Japan, in this article I will talk about my very first experience in Tokyo, and in particular, of what I appreciated more and less of this vibrant city the first night i walked along its streets. Tokyo in my opinion, is certainly one of those ... ( read original story ...)
Japan March current account surplus beats forecasts, Trump trade policies in focus
TOKYO Japan's current account balance posted a stronger-than-expected surplus in March on solid income from overseas investments, maintaining a run of uninterrupted monthly surpluses that has continued for almost three years. The surplus of 2.91 trillion ... ( read original story ...)
US, Japan, France, UK practice amphibious landings on Guam
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Troops from the U.S., Japan and two European nations are gathering on remote U.S. islands in the Pacific for drills they say will show support for the free passage of vessels in international waters amid fears China could restrict ... ( read original story ...)
Japan's Gamba Osaka fined 2 million yen over Nazi-like banner – Kyodo
Japan's Gamba Osaka have been fined 2 million yen (13,560 pounds) and reprimanded by the J-League after a group of supporters displayed a Nazi-like banner at a game last month, Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday. The banner carrying a symbol resembling ... ( read original story ...)
X Japan's Yoshiki to Have Emergency Surgery
X Japan founder and bandleader Yoshiki made a name for the group ... Yesterday (May 9) the band cancelled all forthcoming shows following the news of Yoshiki's impending operation. A statement from the band's management reads that the drummer has sustained ... ( read original story ...)
Japan competes with China, makes sales pitch to win Malaysia-Singapore rail project
KYODO: Japan is stepping up efforts to win a Malaysia-Singapore high-speed railway project by sending a high-level mission to Kuala Lumpur to campaign for the adoption of the shinkansen bullet train system. During a recent high-speed rail symposium in the ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Korean community has high hopes for improved bilateral relations after Moon election
“The Abe administration needs to consider the people of South Korea as well and the effect on Japan’s relations with South Korea by pumping up such fears.” In a statement to Kyodo News, the pro-Seoul Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) said that ... ( read original story ...)
Japan university to set up ninja studies centre
TOKYO: A Japanese university is planning what it says will be the world’s first research centre devoted to ninja -- the black clad assassins known for secrecy and stealth. While mostly confined to history books and fiction, ninja have been enjoying ... ( read original story ...)