TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese man thought to have been kidnapped by North Korean agents decades ago but whose presence there had never been confirmed is alive and living in the North Korean capital wit... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo Olympics: Cost of opening/closing ceremony up 40%
TOKYO (AP) — The price of the opening and closing ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics has risen about 40 percent according to numbers released by the organizing committee. Toshiro Muto, the chief executiv... ( read original story ...)
Half of couples in same-sex marriage lawsuits in Japan remaining anonymous
I want Japan to be a society where people can freely live as they wish," said Kawata. Another man, who filed his suit with the Nagoya District Court, told a news conference that when he and his partne... ( read original story ...)
Japan to recognise Ainu as ‘indigenous people’ for first time
"It is the first step for ensuring equality under the law," Mikiko Maruko, who represents a group of Ainu people in eastern Japan near Tokyo, told AFP news agency, commenting on the government's move. ... ( read original story ...)
Ticket vending machines down at bullet train stations across Japan
(Japanese original by Toru Kuroo and Atsuko Ota, Nagoya News Center; Tsuyoshi Yamada, Osaka City News Department; and Kohei Chiwaki, Tokyo City News Department) ( read original story ...)
Ticket machines down at several bullet train stations across Japan
NAGOYA -- Ticket vending machines went down at some stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka on the morning of Feb. 15, as well as at stations on the Sanyo Shi... ( read original story ...)
Japanese women breaking up with Valentine’s Day ‘obligation chocolates’
Japanese women may be falling out of love with the “obligation chocolates” tradition that sees them gift chocolate to male colleagues and acquaintances on Valentine’s Day. The practice, which started ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese same-sex couples sue for equal marital rights
TOKYO -- Thirteen same-sex couples are filing Japan's first lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the country's rejection of same-sex marriage. The Valentine Day lawsuits to be filed in Tokyo ... ( read original story ...)
Yokohama’s 2018 Earnings Fall on Slightly Higher Sales
Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. posted net income of 35.6 billion yen on net sales of 650.2 billion yen for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. That compares to income of 40.0 billion yen on sales of 64... ( read original story ...)
Gay couples sue Japan over right to get married
Thirteen same-sex couples across Japan are taking legal action on Thursday against the government, demanding the right to get married. They are suing for symbolic damages, arguing that being barred fr... ( read original story ...)
Japan fourth-quarter GDP rebounds but trade frictions remain a concern
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s economy expanded in the fourth quarter as business and consumer spending recovered from natural disasters, however global trade protectionism remained a concern for the count... ( read original story ...)
Carlos Ghosn and Japan’s ‘hostage justice’ system
But again, not in Japan - as Carlos Ghosn has found out. In a recent interview with the French news agency AFP, Mr Ghosn said the refusal of the Tokyo court to grant him bail would "not be normal in a... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Economic Rebound From Natural Disasters Fails to Impress
(Bloomberg) -- Japan’s economy rebounded modestly in the final three months of 2018, as domestic demand drove growth while weakness in exports fueled concerns about a slowdown in China and elsewhere. ... ( read original story ...)
Did Naomi Osaka suggest not everything was rosy with her coach before their shock split?
So far nobody has been able to tell the world why Naomi Osaka split with her coach just a couple of weeks after winning her second grand slam at the Australian Open — but she may have given us a hint ... ( read original story ...)
Japan sets sights on tighter anti-trust regulations for Big Tech
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government plans to set up a new watchdog to scrutinize big tech companies like Facebook and Google amid growing concerns about monopoly practices and the handling of persona... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo to ban parents from physically punishing children after high-profile abuse cases
The Tokyo government said Wednesday it is set to introduce an ordinance on child abuse prevention, banning parents and other guardians from physically punishing and verbally abusing children following ... ( read original story ...)