Tennis: Rising star Naomi Osaka earns idol's praise

Naomi Osaka, who was voted WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016, takes the court against German Annika Beck this afternoon in the ASB Classic. Osaka turned heads last year, when she rocketed from outside the top 200 to 40 in the world, reaching the final in ... ( read original story ...)

Rising star Osaka earns idol's praise

Naomi Osaka, who was voted WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016, takes the court against German Annika Beck this afternoon in the ASB Classic. Osaka turned heads last year, when she rocketed from outside the top 200 to 40 in the world, reaching the final in ... ( read original story ...)

The Japanese parents who apologise for their children

Apologies are common in Japan, indeed it is virtually a cliche about the country. But 2016 has seen some controversial public acts of contrition - notably parents standing up before the public to say sorry for their adult children's alleged criminal offences. ( read original story ...)

Subaru to debut BRZ STI Sport concept at 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru and its official performance arm STI have an interesting concept based on the BRZ due for a reveal at the upcoming 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon. The concept is called the BRZ STI Sport and is described as a more mature take on the Subaru sports car. ( read original story ...)

Tokyo bar actually model ‘secret base’ for Gundam fanatics

A small bar in Tokyo’s Nakano Ward is becoming popular with middle-aged men who like to make plastic models of characters from the “Mobile Suit Gundam” cartoon. “It’s like a secret base,” said Kentaro Nonaka, 36, a company worker who lives in ... ( read original story ...)

Tempura from Osaka

My favourite tempura bar, Tenshin at Regent Singapore hotel, just got itself some competition. Ippoh Tempura Bar by Osaka's Ginza Ippoh opened earlier this month at Como Dempsey. The family- owned Ippoh brand dates back to 1850 and is said to be the oldest ... ( read original story ...)

OCA head would back Sapporo bid for 2024 Games

Sapporo will have the full backing of Asia should the city formally bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said in an interview with Kyodo News. Sapporo, which will host the Asian Winter Games ... ( read original story ...)