Reports: Japan defense chief to quit over document cover-up

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's beleaguered defense minister, a protege of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will step down in connection with an alleged cover-up of military documents from U.N. peacekeeping operations, media reports said Thursday. Defense Minister Tomomi ... ( read original story ...)

Japan opposition head quits as PM Abe suffers scandal

Sign up for breaking news emails & contest alerts ... as a viable choice under a two-party system and for the benefit of the people of Japan," she said, adding that she will remain a lawmaker to build a society that tolerates diversity. ( read original story ...)

Osaka web series gives voice to the intellectually disabled

Pansy Media, based in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, streams its program once a month. Many of those involved have intellectual disabilities. The 50-minute program, which began last September, offers news and documentaries, as well as a feature called ... ( read original story ...)

Dollar weakens to around ¥111 in Tokyo

The dollar weakened to around ¥111 in Tokyo trading Thursday, following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s downgrade of its view on inflation. At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at ¥111.20-21, down from ¥111.83-84 at the same time on Wednesday. The euro was at $1 ... ( read original story ...)

Lottery eyed for Olympic expenses outside Tokyo

The Tokyo metropolitan government is considering using sales from a special takarakuji lottery to cover the 35 billion yen (about $316 million) in operating costs that need to be sorted out between Tokyo and non-Tokyo local governments that will host some ... ( read original story ...)

Cavendish targets Tokyo 2020 gold

(Reuters) - Britain's Mark Cavendish hopes to extend his career for a "few more years" as he targets Eddy Merckx's Tour de France stage wins record and the madison gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 32-year-old Team Dimension Data rider was forced ... ( read original story ...)

‘Jay’ makes Sapporo debut

Thailand midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin played his first competitive match for Japanese club Consadole Sapporo in the Levain Cup yesterday. Unfortunately, his team lost 1-0 at Cerezo Osaka and were eliminated with a 3-0 aggregate defeat. The Thai ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese Woman Destroys $1M Worth Of Violins Over Divorce

The estranged wife of a former violin maker in Nagoya, Japan, has been arrested on suspicion of ... from among the 54 casualties was a $445,000 Italian made violin, said Kyodo news agency. Kawamiya has just now been arrested. The woman traveled to China ... ( read original story ...)

Yokohama-Izu Peninsula tourist train begins service

YOKOHAMA >> The Royal Express tourist train, which connects Yokohama and the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, made its debut Friday. Izukyu Corp. and Tokyu Corp. are operating the train. The first train left JR Yokohama Station around noon. The trip ... ( read original story ...)