Greetings from Osaka and another edition of Where I’m At; a monthly update of what I’ve been up to and general site news. There are no direct flights from Luang Prabang to Saigon so I opted to stay in ... ( read original story ...)
Bank of Japan Braces for Policy Adjustment to Spur Lagging Inflation
Japan’s central bank is expected to modify its policies in order to repatriate some of the capital held by Japanese investors overseas, which could send shockwaves across the global economy due to the ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo 2020 organizers say venue delays won’t hit test events
TOKYO -- Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics insist construction delays at two key venues will have no impact on preparations for the games, including test events. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government ... ( read original story ...)
Toronto council could shrink to 25 members – here’s how cities around the world compare
There is no average ward population because there are no wards. Osaka, Japan is another city that is close in population size to Toronto. According to the city of Osaka website, there are 24 wards and ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s stateless Chongryon Koreans long for reunification after leaving North Korea behind
Growing up in Japan, Kum-hee Cho recalls learning that her grandparents came from South Korea and her "motherland" is North Korea, but she is neither North nor South Korean. Chongryon people are ethni... ( read original story ...)
Nikkei ends higher; eyes on global trade, BOJ meeting
The benchmark Nikkei share average hit a one-week closing high of 22,712.75, and ended the week 0.56 pct firmer. TOKYO: Japanese shares closed higher on Friday, taking comfort from signs of rapprochem... ( read original story ...)
Japan harassment website takes complaints to extremes
It allows users to send anonymous complaints by email, without registering any personal information and is gaining popularity in Japan, despite some concerns over the potential for its misuse. On-the- ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese woman, said to have been world’s oldest person, dead at 117
TOKYO – The world’s oldest person, a 117-year-old Japanese woman, has died. Chiyo Miyako died Sunday. Her death was confirmed Friday by Kanagawa prefecture, her home state south of Tokyo. READ MORE: T... ( read original story ...)
Mizuho Eyes $11 Trillion Held by Japan’s Rich Elderly
Mizuho Financial Group Inc.’s trust banking arm has its sights set on exactly where the wealth is in Japan: the $11 trillion held by the nation’s elderly. The company has begun selling a type of trust ... ( read original story ...)
There’s one option for the Bank of Japan that nobody seems to be talking about
Speculation is mounting that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will tweak monetary policy settings, potentially as soon as next week. ANZ Bank says the most likely option is for the BoJ to do absolutely nothing ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese Finance Minister Aso wants G20 meetings to ‘nip crises in the bud’
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Friday that he wanted the Group of 20 meetings in Osaka next year to focus on identifying problems in the global economy before they could ... ( read original story ...)
Mario carting in Osaka: Yes, only in Japan
Qantas flies direct from Sydney to Osaka's Kansai airport three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) on an upgraded two-class Airbus A330. Return economy flights start from $859 and return bu... ( read original story ...)
Japan hangs six more members of doomsday cult behind 1995 subway sarin gas attack
TOKYO — The last six members of a Japanese doomsday cult who remained on death row were executed Thursday for a series of crimes in the 1990s including a sarin gas attack on Tokyo subways that killed ... ( read original story ...)
Japan hangs 6 more members of cult behind subway gas attack
TOKYO – The last six members of a Japanese doomsday cult who remained on death row were executed Thursday for a series of crimes in the 1990s including a sarin gas attack on Tokyo subways that killed ... ( read original story ...)
Company unveils moving mosque to welcome Muslims in Japan
TOKYO – A large white and blue truck pulls up outside a stadium in central Japan and slowly expands into a place of worship. Welcome to the Mobile Mosque. As Japan prepares to host visitors from aroun... ( read original story ...)
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will open in 2 years, and the heat is on
TOKYO—The 2020 Olympics will open in two years, and the heat is on. Since being awarded the games, which will be the largest ever with 33 sports and 339 events, Tokyo organizers have had to deal with ... ( read original story ...)