Tokyo 2020 unveil bug-eyed Olympic mascot hopefuls

There was more bad news in October when Olympic organisers admitted that prolonged summer rain had brought high levels of bacteria to a venue earmarked for triathlon and open water swimming. While Tokyo has taken successful measures to reduce costs ... ( read original story ...)

Knife attack at Tokyo shrine: Three people dead, one injured

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, who reviewed the area’s security ... a shorter sword and two survival knives, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported. The police are now trying to establish the exact motive for the attack, but the family ... ( read original story ...)

Canada wins three medals at figure skating Grand Prix

NAGOYA, Japan -- Canadians won three medals at the ISU Grand Prix Final on Saturday, the last major international figure skating event before the Olympic Winter Games in February. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir took the silver in ice dancing while Meagan ... ( read original story ...)

Russian teenager Alina Zagitova wins Grand Prix Final

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Alina Zagitova performed a near-flawless free skate on Saturday to win the figure skating Grand Prix Final. Skating to Don Quixote, the 15-year-old world junior champion from Russia placed all seven of her jumps in the second half of ... ( read original story ...)

In deal as big as NAFTA, EU and Japan agree to free trade

The European Union and Japan have agreed terms for a free trade deal liberalizing almost all trade between the bloc and the world's third-largest economy. It is the largest free trade deal struck by the EU, bringing together economies representing ... ( read original story ...)

Japan seeks longer-range cruise missiles amid North Korea threat

as 'stand-off' missiles that can be fired beyond the range of enemy threats," he told a news conference. The JSM has a range of about 500km. Japan also plans to arms its US-made F-15 fighters with the US-made Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER ... ( read original story ...)

Japanese firm to use drone to force overtime staff to go home

Japan has for years been trying to curb excessive overtime and ... and hear Auld Lang Syne along with the buzz," Norihiro Kato, a director at Taisei, told news agency AFP. Taisei plans to start the drone service in April 2018 as a trial within their ... ( read original story ...)

Japan plans long-range missiles amid N. Korea threat: minister

Tokyo: Japan plans to purchase offensive air-to-surface missiles ... with a range of some 500 kilometres from Norway’s Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, news reports said. The move will likely draw controversy as Tokyo has long maintained an exclusively ... ( read original story ...)