Naomi Osaka has revealed that an ‘embarrassing’ practice session in Madrid against Daria Kasatkina left her apologising to the world No. 11. The four-time Grand Slam champion faces Kasatkina again ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Stock Market Is Booming. It Isn’t All About the Weak Yen.
Is a weak currency good for Japan’s stock market? It is complicated.A lower yen is traditionally seen as positive for Japanese stocks as it should make its exports more competitive. And this is certainly still true to some extent. ( read original story ...)
No love or sex? What are Japan’s ‘friendship marriages’ all about?
With more and more young Japanese youngsters ditching traditional marriage, a new relationship trend has emerged – ‘friendship marriage’. Couples are legal spouses but are not involved romantically or sexually. ( read original story ...)
Tokyo Electron Plans Record R&D Outlay Spurred by AI Chip Demand
(Bloomberg) -- Tokyo Electron Ltd. is planning record research and development outlays this fiscal year and gave an upbeat revenue forecast on a surging demand for AI-enabling infrastructure. Most ... ( read original story ...)
New Exhibition In Tokyo Celebrates 50 Years Of Diecast Robot Toys
I cover gaming in Japan as well as the pop-culture here. Starting today the Chogokin 50th Anniversary Exhibition in Akihabara, Tokyo celebrates the enduring popularity of diecast robot toys. Hosted at ... ( read original story ...)
Tozai Line in Tokyo to be partially suspended on weekend
Tokyo Metro says it will partially suspend service on the Tozai Line in Tokyo this weekend. It is asking passengers to take alternative routes. ( read original story ...)
Brownlee aims to prove Olympic potential in Yokohama
Jonny Brownlee will aim to prove his fitness at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Yokohama this weekend as he bids to secure a place at Paris 2024. ( read original story ...)
Naomi Osaka: ‘It was embarrassing’ – Star on apology to opponent and watching Rafael Nadal highlights
Naomi Osaka has revealed how watching Rafael Nadal highlights and an "embarrassing" practice session has helped her prepare for her Italian Open run. ( read original story ...)
Japanese indie publishers steer Tokyo Indie Games Summit: “Companies are paying attention”
Indie gaming in Japan is growing, while domestic investment in indie publishing and greater investment in independent ... ( read original story ...)
Easy Japanese news in translation: Tokyo DisneySea’s new Fantasy Springs area shown to media
The new Fantasy Springs area, which will become the eighth zone at Tokyo DisneySea in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, was introduced to newspap･･･ ... ( read original story ...)
Japan economy expected to shrink in Q1 due to weak consumption: Reuters poll
Japan's economy likely contracted an annualised 1.5% in the January-March quarter as all key drivers of growth slumped due to an uncertain outlook, a Reuters poll showed, which will probably set back ... ( read original story ...)
Rare ‘customer harassment’ suit between companies filed in Sapporo
A Tokyo-based housing equipment company recently filed a lawsuit at the district court here seeking 11 million yen (approx. $70,700) in compensation over alleged "customer harassment" by two client ... ( read original story ...)
Nurse verbally abused self-harming patient at psychiatric hospital in Yokohama
YOKOHAMA -- Kanagawa Psychiatric Center here announced on May 9 that a nurse in their 60s verbally abused a hospitalized patient who repeatedly self-harmed. The remarks, including the suggestion that ... ( read original story ...)
Osaka man swindled out of $1.4 mil. in investment fraud by fake entrepreneur
A business owner in his 70s has been swindled out of about 224.9 million yen (roughly $1.4 million) after believing investment opportunities ... ( read original story ...)
(2nd LD) Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, China discuss Korean Peninsula issues in Tokyo
The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and China discussed issues related to the Korean Peninsula on the margins of a multilateral security dialogue in Japan earlier this week, Seoul's foreign ministry ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s consumer spending extends declines, clouding outlook for BOJ rate hikes
Japan's consumer spending fell for the 13th straight month in March, creating challenges for policymakers who are seeking to drive stronger real wage growth, a prerequisite for additional central bank ... ( read original story ...)