MELBOURNE (Reuters) - U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka staved off a fightback from Karolina Pliskova to reach her maiden Australian Open final with a 6-2 4-6 6-4 win on Thursday setting up a title ... ( read original story ...)
Japan, Iran advance to semifinals of Asian Cup
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Japan and Iran became the first two teams to advance to the Asian Cup semifinals on Thursday. Four-time champion Japan eliminated Vietnam 1-0 in their quarterfinal b... ( read original story ...)
Nissin drops Osaka ad after complaints, star focused on game
Osaka's appeal has grown in Japan since she beat Serena Williams in last year's U.S. Open. Her performance at the Australian Open has topped daily news coverage. It's not the first time Japan has ... ( read original story ...)
Noodle company apologizes in Japanese tennis star ‘whitewashing’ controversy
TOKYO -- Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she hopes her sponsors will consult with her about how they portray her, but her focus is on her game as she heads into the final at the Australian Open. ... ( read original story ...)
Naomi Osaka blasted through to the Australian Open final, sent a message to her fans in Japanese, then said: ‘I’m going to go to sleep’
21-year-old Naomi Osaka just battled her way through to the Australian Open final after knocking out seventh seed Karolina Pliskova in three sets. The reigning US Open champion played a staggering tot... ( read original story ...)
Japanese prime minister takes swipes at Trump on trade, climate and the number of women in the U.S. workforce
The Japanese leader called for free trade ... “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." Many business and government leaders in Davos are angry at Trump’s trade tariffs and h... ( read original story ...)
Japan whalers discuss plan to resume commercial hunt July 1
TOKYO — Japanese whalers discussed plans Thursday to resume their commercial hunting along the northeastern coast on July 1, for the first time in three decades. Their preparation follows Japan's deci... ( read original story ...)
Osaka vs Kvitova for Australian Open title, No. 1 ranking
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Naomi Osaka never made it past the fourth round at any of the first 10 Grand Slam tournaments of her career. Now, still just 21, she's suddenly on the verge of a second consecu... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s Shinzo Abe to put trade, climate at centre of G20 agenda
... PM Shinzo Abe said Japan will also seek to spearhead discussions on climate change and ways to facilitate the use of digital data while protecting intellectual property. FILE: Japan's Prime ... ( read original story ...)
Nissin takes down ad after complaints on Osaka’s depiction
TOKYO — One of Naomi Osaka's main sponsors has taken down an online ad campaign that depicts the Japanese tennis player with pale skin after it was criticized as insensitive. Daisuke Okabayashi, a spo... ( read original story ...)
Osaka sponsor withdraws controversial commercial
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese noodle company Nissin have removed a controversial commercial following a dispute over the skin colour of a cartoon character depicting tennis player Naomi Osaka. The commer... ( read original story ...)
Japan, not China, may be winning Asia’s infrastructure investment contest
Before China began courting Southeast Asia with infrastructure investments through its Belt and Road Initiative , Japan was the region's top development financier. As the two powerhouses now compete f... ( read original story ...)
One of Naomi Osaka’s sponsors has issued a groveling apology after accusations of ‘white-washing’ her in an advert
... of Osaka … Everything that distinguishes Osaka from your typical Japanese anime character was gone, and what was left? Your typical Japanese anime character. "Come on, Nissin. Was this a business ... ( read original story ...)
Sapporo opening second Highlands location
Orbin Green was looking for a lunch spot to fill his vacant Bardstown Road building, and he finally found it in Sapporo. Yes, Sapporo, the sushi dinner restaurant also on Bardstown Road. Greene said M... ( read original story ...)
Seoul accuses Japanese patrol plane of threatening flight
SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of -- South Korea's military accused Japan of a "clear provocation" over what it said was a threatening low-altitude flight by a Japanese patrol plane over a South Korean warshi... ( read original story ...)
Architects seek to ‘capture spirit of Ireland’ – in Tokyo
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in conjunction with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), has announced a competition for a new Ireland House in Tokyo. When built it wi... ( read original story ...)