AOC: A team of thirty athletes have been selected to become Australia’s first event competitors at an Asian Winter Games when they hit the ice and snow in Sapporo in February. The team, which features some of the nation’s brightest winter prospects ... ( read original story ...)
Fire engulfs 140 houses on Japan's west coast
A fire engulfed about 140 houses, shops and other buildings in a Japanese coastal city northwest of Tokyo on Thursday, with early reports of just two people suffering injuries. The military was called in to help battle the blaze which started mid-morning ... ( read original story ...)
At least 140 buildings on fire in wind-swept blaze in Japan
TOKYO -- A restaurant fire whipped by high winds spread to at least 140 buildings Thursday in a small Japanese city on the Japan Sea coast. The blaze started in the morning at a ramen shop in Itoigawa city, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. ( read original story ...)
Japan, US mark the return of military-used land to Okinawa
TOKYO — Japan and the U.S. marked a partial return of the land used by American troops to Okinawa in a ceremony Thursday on the southern island, but there was no sign the move was helping to lessen protests against the island's heavy U.S. military presence. ( read original story ...)
Japan approves record $1.1 trillion budget
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet has approved a ... promoting reform of medical and elderly care," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference. A total of 5.98 trillion yen is earmarked for public and other works, such as ... ( read original story ...)
Fire engulfs 140 buildings in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
A fire whipped up by strong winds has burnt about 140 buildings in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan. Police said one person was taken to hospital after inhaling smoke. ( read original story ...)
Japan's 2016 births likely fell below 1 million for 1st time – media
Japanese media reported on Thursday. The total number of births is expected to be between 980,000 and 990,000 this year, reports in the Nikkei business daily and the Kyodo news agency said, down from slightly more than 1 million last year. Kyodo cited ... ( read original story ...)
Japan’s newborns projected to fall below 1 million for first time in 2016
The annual number of babies born in Japan slipped below 1 million in 2016 for the first time since records began, with the estimated figure for the year coming in at 981,000, according to government figures released Thursday. The number dropped an ... ( read original story ...)
Japan birth rate 'at lowest level in over 100 years'
The latest statistics were reported by Kyodo news agency based on unidentified government sources. The number of women in their twenties in Japan is falling Credit: Reuters Among the key factors in the falling number of births is the shrinking population ... ( read original story ...)
Yokohama Names New Ambassador
Founder of Ice Driving Canada named Yokohama’s brand ambassador. Professional racing driver, and long-time driving instructor, Jean-Sebastien Sauriol will be representing Yokohama Canada as a brand ambassador. “We are excited for the opportunity to ... ( read original story ...)
Behind the Scenes: Michael Burbage Keeps the Osaka Restaurant Family Well-Oiled
Now with three full-fledged restaurants and Silva's Fish Market (inside Denver Central Market), Burbage handles the day-to-day business at all the locations, and Osaka says his right-hand man continues to be instrumental in planning and launching new ... ( read original story ...)
R29's Ultimate Guide To Osaka — In 60 Seconds
Aside from the financial investment, it also requires you to have a decent ... we can spare you the endless hours you may spend planning your trip from scratch. Say hello to Osaka, Japan's third largest city, which boasts a burgeoning nightlife and ... ( read original story ...)
Japan government raises view on economy for first time since March 2015
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government upgraded its overall assessment of the economy on Wednesday, echoing the Bank of Japan's more upbeat view, in a sign the economy may be steadying. The government also upgraded its view of household spending, exports and ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo Games to cost $13B
Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics estimate the total cost of hosting the 2020 Games will be between 1.6 and 1.8 trillion yen ($13-$15 billion). The official cost estimate announced Wednesday was below the promised 2 trillion ($17 billion) cap, while ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo unveils $16.8 billion budget, to seek more savings
Tokyo won hosting rights largely on its reputation for efficiency Tokyo 2020 organisers unveiled on Wednesday a budget of $16.8 billion for hosting the next Summer Games and vowed to seek further savings in co-operation with the International Olympic ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese organizers to disclose total cost estimate of 2020 Games
Tokyo Olympic organizers will present their first official cost estimate for the 2020 Games at a level slightly below their promised 2 trillion ($17 billion) cap, Japanese media said Wednesday. Organizers are expected to present an estimated total of 1.6 ... ( read original story ...)