Bahrain-Japan meetings held

Tokyo, Dec. 24 (BNA): In activation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Political Consultation on April 11, 2012, during the historical paid by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Japan, the 4th Meeting for Political Consultations between ... ( read original story ...)

In Pearl Harbor Visit, a Symbol of Reconciliation in Japan

Some Japanese news media suggested that the Pearl Harbor trip could even lift Mr. Abe’s approval ratings and give him the confidence to call an election in January. The Japanese public is also aware of the importance of a symbolic visit to Pearl Harbor ... ( read original story ...)

Britain and Japan sign nuclear energy cooperation agreement

Britain and Japan have signed an agreement that significantly expands cooperation in the nuclear energy sector and paves the way for Japanese companies to construct nuclear plants in the UK. It also covers cooperation in the areas of decommissioning and ... ( read original story ...)

'Smartphone toilet paper' at Tokyo airport

Welcome to Japan' News of the smartphone toilet paper spread rapidly among Facebook users. "Give your smartphone a wipe while you answer the call of nature," commented Roger Chen in Singapore. "What if you're tired and jetlagged and accidentally mix up the ... ( read original story ...)

A realistic view of Japan’s island dispute

and it’s Abe’s task to break the news gently to the Japanese people. During a heated discussion on the web news service DemocraTV, former Lower House lawmaker Hiroshi Kawauchi stated that the government “has never had a solution” to the Northern ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo Olympics estimated to cost up to $15 billion

TOKYO — Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics estimate the total cost of hosting the 2020 Games will be between 1.6 and 1.8 trillion yen ($13 to $15 billion). The official cost estimate announced Dec. 21 was below the promised 2 trillion ($17 billion) cap ... ( read original story ...)

Japan in record military spending amid Chinese tensions

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has signed off a record defence budget in the face of territorial disputes with China and North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Spending on fighter jets and submarines are partly behind the increase of 1.4% to 5.13tn ... ( read original story ...)

Fire that spread to 140 buildings under control in Japan

The ramen shop was in a shopping arcade northwest of the city's main train station, the area crowded with old wooden houses, according to Kyodo News. Itoigawa is on the Japan Sea coast in Niigata prefecture, about 260 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. ( read original story ...)

Thirty Australians selected for Sapporo 2017 Asian Winter Games

AOC: A team of thirty athletes have been selected to become Australia’s first event competitors at an Asian Winter Games when they hit the ice and snow in Sapporo in February. The team, which features some of the nation’s brightest winter prospects ... ( read original story ...)

Fire engulfs 140 houses on Japan's west coast

A fire engulfed about 140 houses, shops and other buildings in a Japanese coastal city northwest of Tokyo on Thursday, with early reports of just two people suffering injuries. The military was called in to help battle the blaze which started mid-morning ... ( read original story ...)

At least 140 buildings on fire in wind-swept blaze in Japan

TOKYO -- A restaurant fire whipped by high winds spread to at least 140 buildings Thursday in a small Japanese city on the Japan Sea coast. The blaze started in the morning at a ramen shop in Itoigawa city, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. ( read original story ...)

Japan, US mark the return of military-used land to Okinawa

TOKYO — Japan and the U.S. marked a partial return of the land used by American troops to Okinawa in a ceremony Thursday on the southern island, but there was no sign the move was helping to lessen protests against the island's heavy U.S. military presence. ( read original story ...)

Japan approves record $1.1 trillion budget

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet has approved a ... promoting reform of medical and elderly care," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference. A total of 5.98 trillion yen is earmarked for public and other works, such as ... ( read original story ...)