The Latest: Russia, Japan Leaders Discuss Island Dispute

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he and Russian President Vladimir Putin spent much of their three-hour talks Thursday discussing a longstanding territorial dispute and a peace treaty between the two countries. "We had in-depth discussions on a ... ( read original story ...)

Osaka University opens genome-editing research center

OSAKA – Osaka University has become the first university in Japan to set up a permanent research facility for genome-editing technologies following the opening of a new center on Wednesday. Genome editing involves technologies to insert and delete or ... ( read original story ...)

Japan parliament legalises casinos

Japan's parliament has passed a long-awaited law to legalise casinos. The move paves the way for casino resort developments that also include hotels and shopping centres. International gaming firms including Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts and Caesars have ... ( read original story ...)

Putin arrives in Japan for territorial talks

NAGATO, Japan - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Japan on Thursday for a two-day summit that marks his first official visit to a G-7 country since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. His Rossiya Airlines plane touched down at 4:50 p.m. at ... ( read original story ...)

Japan Moves to Allow Casino Gambling at 'Integrated Resorts'

Japan's parliament is about to approve a law on "integrated resorts" that is the first major hurdle in allowing casinos to set up shop in the wealthy nation. The upper house of the Diet approved the bill on Wednesday after it was pushed through the lower ... ( read original story ...)

Osaka kindergarten teaches prewar ideals, Imperial Rescript

Tsukamoto kindergarten, in Osaka, introduced the rescript 15 years ago, although school officials say it is not intended to fuel nationalism. “What we’re aiming to foster in education is patriotism or ‘Japanese-ism,’ expanding Japan’s spirit all ... ( read original story ...)

Gambling shares up on Japan casino vote

Shares in some of the world's biggest gambling firms have rallied after the legalisation of casinos in Japan moved a step closer. A parliamentary panel approved a long-awaited bill, effectively meaning it is guaranteed to become law, possibly as soon as ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese tourist dies at Australia's Great Barrier Reef

An elderly Japanese woman has died while snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, in the fourth tourist death at the Australian attraction in a month. The 75-year-old was pulled from the water on Tuesday at Moore Reef, about 45km (30 miles) from Cairns. ( read original story ...)

US Osprey aircraft crashes off Okinawa coast in Japan

The US maintains two Osprey squadrons in Japan, according to Reuters ... it could have fallen on where we are living," local resident Yuri Soma told Kyodo news agency. Local anger against the US military has intensified in recent months after a civilian ... ( read original story ...)

Christmas delivery at space station, courtesy of Japan

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Christmas gifts arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday, courtesy of Japan. A Japanese cargo ship pulled up at the orbiting lab four days after launching. The capsule -- called Kounotori, or white stork -- contains ... ( read original story ...)

Yokohama has previously seen Real Madrid become world champions

The Whites lifted the 2002 Intercontinental Cup in Yokohama. Real Madrid boast previous experience of winning silverware in Yokohama after lifting the Intercontinental Cup there in 2002, as they ran out 2-0 winners against Paraguay's Olimpia de Asunción. ( read original story ...)

US, S. Korea, Japan Vow Cooperation Over N. Korea Sanctions

Top nuclear envoys from South Korea, the United States and Japan pledged Tuesday to implement new sanctions against North Korea, including capping the country's coal exports to choke off cash flowing into its nuclear weapons program. After meeting in Seoul ... ( read original story ...)