World shares mixed, Japan’s Nikkei gains on weaker yen

TOKYO - World stocks were meandering in sluggish trading on Thursday as investors awaited the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president. KEEPING SCORE: European shares were mixed in early trading. France’s CAC 40 added 0.1 percent to 4,860.14 and ... ( read original story ...)

Japan hotelier's Nanjing massacre denial angers China

A Japanese hotel chain has come under fire for its owner's claims that a World War Two massacre in the Chinese city of Nanjing did not take place. A book by Toshio Motoya, who owns APA Hotels, was found this week to be widely distributed in his outlets. ( read original story ...)

Forget World Cup heroics, says Japan coach Jamie Joseph

Japan coach Jamie Joseph wants to forget the country's astonishing 2015 World Cup run as he looks to create his own blueprint for the future. The former All Black had a baptism of fire after taking over the 'Brave Blossoms' last November and is under no ... ( read original story ...)

High-tech Japanese toilets to be more foreigner friendly

TOKYO - As more foreigners choose Japan as a holiday destination, the country's toilet manufacturers have joined forces to simplify the sometimes complicated business of washing and drying Japanese style. A 2014 survey found many foreigners have difficulty ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises as financials gain; Toshiba, Takata dive

TOKYO Jan 19 Japan's Nikkei share average rebounded from a six-week low on Thursday, with financial stocks cheered by the rise in U.S. bond yields after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signalled a solid pace of interest rate hikes. The Nikkei rose 0.9 ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Inc. moving toward 4-day work week

TOKYO -- Three days off per week are increasingly common in Japan's workplaces as employers seek to improve the work-life balance in line with the government's push for labor reform. The shift from the traditional two days off per week is expected to ... ( read original story ...)

Yahoo Japan is refusing to stop the sale of ivory on its website

Ivory tusks are displayed after the official start of the destruction of confiscated ivory in Hong Kong. Yahoo Japan is refusing to stop the sale of ivory on its site, despite concerns that it is facilitating a business blamed for the illegal slaughter of ... ( read original story ...)

Straits Trading to acquire Japan property for S$11.6m

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan. The Straits Trading Company on Wednesday (18 January) unveiled plans to acquire the rights to a freehold rental residential property in Osaka, Japan for 925 million yen (S$11.6 million). This comes as the investment firm agreed ... ( read original story ...)

Konta Passes Osaka Test In Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia - No.9 seed and Apia International Sydney champion Johanna Konta kept up her hopes of another deep run in Melbourne with a decisive 6-4, 6-2 win over Japan's Naomi Osaka to reach the third round of the Australian Open. Konta opened Day ... ( read original story ...)

2016 Yokohama Hot-Rod and Custom Show

Each December at the annual Yokohama Hot Rod & Custom Show. That it’s in Yokohama not Yorba Linda perhaps should not be surprising. For when Japanese wax nostalgic their imaginations often head out on a desert highway, into a mythical land they first ... ( read original story ...)