The eyes of the world will be on Tokyo for more than just the 16 days that it hosts the 2020 Olympics, as the concept of legacy gains more importance for global sporting mega-events. “I think what Tokyo can learn from Rio is that without a compelling ... ( read original story ...)
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 ...)
Australian tourist cheered on by 20,000 NYE revellers in Japan as he jumps from a bridge into a freezing canal – and even stuck around after to pose for photos with fans
Thousands of Japanese revellers flooded Osaka's the banks of famous canals to ring in the New Year despite chilly temperatures. But the highlight of the night was a young Australian tourist skolling a beer before leaping from a bridge into the freezing ... ( 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 ...)
Kanagawa cops: Motorcyclist dies after plunging from Yokohama expressway
KANAGAWA (TR) – A male motorcyclist died after he plunged from an expressway in Yokohama, police said on Saturday. The man in his 40s died after he fell at least 10 meters from an expressway at around 9:30 a.m., Nippon News Network reports (Dec. 31). ( read original story ...)
Osaka cops: Man’s leg cut off by train after he falls from platform
OSAKA (TR) – An intoxicated man in his 20s fell from a train ... The man fell from the Midosuji Line platform, which does not have railings, at Nagai Station at around 7 a.m., Nippon News Network reports (Dec. 31). The conductor of the train didn ... ( read original story ...)
Sask. Huskies share culture with Japanese volleyball team in exchange for tune-up
The dogs are hosting a team from Japan’s International Budo University in the second half of an overseas exchange to train in Saskatoon for just over a week. Saskatchewan won both matches on Thursday and Friday at the Physical Activity Complex (PAC), but ... ( 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 ...)
Japan eyes trilateral talks with China, South Korea in February: Kyodo
... and South Korea about holding a trilateral summit in Tokyo in February aimed at deepening cooperation on such issues as a free trade deal, the environment and counter-terrorism, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday. Disagreements over North Korea ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo cops: Pedestrian struck, killed by distracted cyclist in Roppongi
TOKYO (TR) – A man was struck and killed in near the Roppongi ... was killed after the 32-year-old cyclist hit him on a sloped passageway some two meters wide, TBS News reports (Dec. 31). The cyclist was riding down the passageway without his ... ( 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 ...)
Final Olympics price tag almost certain to exceed current estimate
This is the first in a six-part New Year’s series examining how Japan is preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. On Dec. 21, the organizers of the Tokyo Summer Games announced that the 2020 sports extravaganza will cost no more than ¥1.8 ... ( 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 ...)
Japan's defense minister visits controversial shrine after Pearl Harbor
Japan's Kyodo News service reported that Abe, who was golfing outside Tokyo, refused comment when asked about Inada's visit. The defense minister doffed her shoes on her way into the shrine, and afterward told waiting journalists, "Regardless of ... ( read original story ...)