Japan’s freelancers go rogue, shun salaryman tradition

Japan's economy could benefit from a reform of its strict working culture. Now a growing band of Japanese are breaking with tradition and embracing a new model to combine life and work: freelancing. Emma Wallis reports. "They thought I was crazy," explains ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo Auto Salon is like candy for your eyeballs

Tokyo is the home of two major automotive events that are opposed in almost every way. One, the biennial Tokyo Motor Show, features the latest creations of all the major manufacturers, immersed in their visions of the future. The other, the Tokyo Auto ... ( read original story ...)

Robot makes coffee at new cafe in Japan’s capital

Japan has a new robot cafe where customers can enjoy coffee brewed and served by a robot barista. The robot named Sawyer debuted this week at Henna Cafe in Tokyo's downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. The shop's name in Japanese means ... ( read original story ...)

Sapporo apartment blaze kills 11

SAPPORO – Eleven people were killed and another three were injured in a fire that started late Wednesday night at a residential facility for people living on welfare in Sapporo, the police said. The incident highlighted the poor fire prevention and ... ( read original story ...)

Eleven die in fire at a welfare home in Japan

These are external links and will open in a new window Eleven people have been killed after a fire at a Japanese residential facility for people in financial difficulty. TV footage on the country's public broadcaster NHK showed the house engulfed in flames ... ( read original story ...)

GEOLANDAR Named in TrophyLite Series

(Photo: Yokohama Tire) Yokohama Tire’s off-road racing program continues to expand. The tire maker announced that its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 (size 33X12.50R15) is the spec tire of the 2018 TrophyLite R4 Series. First race of the season is the Best in the ... ( read original story ...)

Fire kills 11 at home for elderly poor in Japan

... northern Japan. The fire broke out before midnight Thursday in Sapporo, the main city on the island of Hokkaido. (Yuya Shino/Kyodo News via AP) Kyodo News service says the building was a former inn that had been rented by the operator of the facility. ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Fujifilm to take over partner Xerox to slash costs

TOKYO - Fujifilm Holdings and Xerox Corp. say the Japanese company will take over Xerox in a restructuring intended to slash costs. The companies said Wednesday that Fuji Xerox, their 56-year-old joint venture, will combine with Xerox. Fujifilm Holdings ... ( read original story ...)

2020 Tokyo Olympic costs keep rising despite efforts to cut

In late December, Tokyo Olympic organizers said the games would cost 1.35 trillion yen, which is about $12.4 billion at the present exchange rate of 109 yen to the dollar. But at a news conference last Friday, Koike said the city would spend an added 810 ... ( read original story ...)