OSAKA – A rooster raised by Osaka’s Tennoji Zoo as food for other animals has now become an attraction himself, after thrice managing to avoid the gallows and a grim fate as fare for his fellows. It seems a belief has taken hold among some visitors ... ( read original story ...)
'Lucky chicken' finds fame in Japan
The male chicken, named Masahiro, has become something of a local celebrity in Osaka, even serving as an honorary "chief" of the local traffic police last month, the Kyodo news agency reports. Masahiro was meant to become raccoon food at the city's Tennoji ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese all-girls band under fire for Nazi-like outfits
TOKYO -- A popular teenage all-girls band in Japan is under fire for performing in outfits resembling Nazi-era German military uniforms. The members of Keyakizaka46 appeared recently in black knee-length dresses that look like military overcoats ... ( read original story ...)
Halloween all the rage in Japan
Enthusiasm among young Japanese for Halloween continues to grow year by year, not only as a day to enjoy "cosplay" but as a time to spend on goodies like nobody's business. Observed in many countries as a time dedicated to remembering the dead, the ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese companies are getting offers from EU countries to move operations out of the UK
one of Japan's most senior business ambassadors said. The lack of clarity over how much European market access the UK will push for during Brexit negotiations has forced Japanese companies to postpone investment decisions, the president of the Japanese ... ( read original story ...)
Temples enter matchmaking business in marriage-shy Japan
TOKYO - Traditionally seen as conductors of funerals or memorial services, some Buddhist monks in Japan are carving out a new niche as matchmakers for men and women looking for marriage partners. In a country where an increasing number of people are ... ( read original story ...)
Anthony Bourdain explains why, even after touring 80 countries, his favorite destination will always be Japan
If you ask him, as Business Insider did earlier this year, what his favorite destination is, he will immediately tell you it's Japan. "Japan is endlessly, endlessly interesting to me," he said. And even after going on nine filming trips there, "I don't ... ( read original story ...)
Japan demands talks with U.K. government over Brexit strategy
“Japanese companies are not leaving, they like it here and they have been operating profitably in the U.K.,” the ambassador said. The two governments “should make certain there will be a business environment that will continue to allow them to make ... ( read original story ...)
3 Japanese Shipping Companies to Merge Container Businesses
“This is a big decision, since it will create what will be the only container-shipping company in Japan,” he said. “But with the European industry consolidating and the business becoming more of an oligopoly, we need the scale that being a single ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese shippers to merge container lines; Puget Sound impact unclear
Japan’s three biggest shippers agreed to combine their container operations to create the world’s sixth-largest box carrier, as the industry steps up consolidation this year amid global turmoil in the sea-cargo business. Nippon Yusen KK (NYK), Mitsui O ... ( read original story ...)
Bank of Japan delays inflation goal in blow to 'Abenomics'
TOKYO: Japan's central bank on Tuesday (Nov 1) again pushed back the timeline for hitting its inflation goal, the latest policy change that has raised questions about attempts to revive the deflation-plagued economy. The Bank of Japan has for the past ... ( read original story ...)
Bank of Japan sits back for Clinton-Trump ride
The Bank of Japan is sitting back for the ride. The central bank kept policy unchanged on Nov. 1, even as it trimmed inflation forecasts. Adding extra stimulus weeks after introducing a new, yield-focused framework would look nervous. The BOJ also needs ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo stocks close up after BoJ meeting
Tokyo shares closed higher Tuesday ... accounting for roughly one-third of Japan's non-financial listings, the paper said. Energy firms tracked a plunge in oil prices Monday after OPEC's failure last week to hammer out details of an agreement to cut ... ( read original story ...)
Kurdish authorities detain Japanese journalist in Iraq
Japan's Kyodo News agency says that journalist Kosuke Tsuneoka (koh-soo-keh soo-neh-OH-ka) was reporting on the battle to recapture the city of Mosul from the Islamic State group. Kyodo reported he is being held by the Kurdish militia known as the peshmerga. ( read original story ...)
Tokyo panel details venue changes, cost cuts for 2020 Games
TOKYO -- The rowing and canoeing venue for the 2020 Olympics should either be moved to a site hundreds of kilometres away in northern Japan or downgraded to a temporary facility in Tokyo, a city government cost-cutting panel said Tuesday. The ... ( read original story ...)
Nikkei drops on US election uncertainty but shipping stocks steam ahead
TOKYO Oct 31 Japan's Nikkei fell on Monday as heightened uncertainty over the U.S. presidential election kept investors on edge, but shares of major shipping firms jumped after news that they will merge their container shipping businesses. Trading was ... ( read original story ...)