A consortium of Japanese auto giants on Tuesday announced plans to set up a new company next year to build more hydrogen refuelling stations, in an effort to bring fuel-cell cars into the mainstream. There are currently 2,200 fuel-cell cars in Japan with ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo airport to be ‘scattered’ with robots for 2020 Olympics
Visitors to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics can expect to arrive at an airport "scattered" with robots to help them, an official said Tuesday as he unveiled seven new machines to perform tasks from helping with luggage to language assistance. Among the seven ... ( read original story ...)
Pregnant woman wants seat on Tokyo metro: there’s an app for that
Pregnant women struggling to bag a seat on the famously packed Tokyo subway could find their salvation in a new app connecting them with nearby passengers willing to give up their coveted perch. The digital match-making app being trialled this week on the ... ( read original story ...)
Ex-U.S. deserter to North Korea who married Japan abductee dies
TOKYO -- Charles Jenkins, a U.S Army deserter to North Korea who married a Japanese abductee and lived in Japan after their release, has died. He was 77. Jenkins was found collapsed outside his home in Sado, northern Japan, on Monday and rushed to a ... ( read original story ...)
Japan picks ‘North’ as 2017 symbol amid N. Korea threat
Japan on Tuesday chose the Chinese character for "North" as ... At the end of every year, the general public votes for a Chinese character they think embodies the key news and events of the previous 12 months. A total of 7,104 people out of 153,594 voted ... ( read original story ...)
IOC ‘confident’ Tokyo 2020 venues will be ready on time
TOKYO: Tokyo organisers are back on track and will complete ... designs for the official Games logo were ditched following accusations of plagiarism. There was more bad news in October when organisers admitted that prolonged summer rain had brought high ... ( read original story ...)
Review: Osaka Kohai
Eating at Osaka Kohai can feel a lot like dining in someone's home, which may be appropriate since the restaurant occupies the bottom half of a house. Chau and her son greet guests and take turns in the kitchen, often bringing plates to the table when one ... ( read original story ...)
No news, just snooze: Japan’s paper deliverers enjoy press holiday
There is a good chance that Japan’s light sleepers have at times been stirred by the purr of an approaching moped, followed by the squeak of a brake and footsteps on the street. The sounds punctuate the pre-dawn routine of the paper delivery worker ... ( read original story ...)
No news, just snooze: Japan’s army of paper delivery workers enjoy press holiday
There is a good chance that Japan’s light sleepers have at times been stirred from their slumber by the purr of an approaching moped, followed by the squeak of a brake and footsteps on the street. The sounds punctuate the pre-dawn routine of the ... ( read original story ...)
Yokohama Adds New, Long-haul Drive Tire
(Photo: Yokohama) Yokohama Tire has launched the TY577 MC2, a new, fuel-efficient long-haul drive tire. The SmartWay-verified tire comes in sizes 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5, 285/75R24.5 and 11R24.5, and is also offered in 16-ply construction. “The TY577 MC2 ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo 2020 Olympic mascots to be chosen by children
Japan has unveiled its final six contenders for the role of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots - and only children are getting the final say. The organising committee selected three sets of finalists from more than 2,000 entries submitted by ... ( read original story ...)
Nagoya urged to install elevator in castle keep for disabled visitors
NAGOYA--The city authorities have been slammed by disabled people ... secretary-general of the forum, told a news conference. “We want it to be designed so that everybody can enjoy visiting it without anxiety.” The group organizes people with ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo priest killed with samurai sword in stabbings that left 2 others dead
TOKYO — The head priest of a prominent shrine in Tokyo was ambushed and killed with a samurai sword, apparently by her brother, who then took his own life, police said Friday. A female accomplice also died in the attack, and the priest’s driver was ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo 2020 unveil bug-eyed Olympic mascot hopefuls
There was more bad news in October when Olympic organisers admitted that prolonged summer rain had brought high levels of bacteria to a venue earmarked for triathlon and open water swimming. While Tokyo has taken successful measures to reduce costs ... ( read original story ...)
Knife attack at Tokyo shrine: Three people dead, one injured
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, who reviewed the area’s security ... a shorter sword and two survival knives, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported. The police are now trying to establish the exact motive for the attack, but the family ... ( read original story ...)
Canada wins three medals at figure skating Grand Prix
NAGOYA, Japan -- Canadians won three medals at the ISU Grand Prix Final on Saturday, the last major international figure skating event before the Olympic Winter Games in February. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir took the silver in ice dancing while Meagan ... ( read original story ...)