TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who will visit Pearl Harbor with President Barack Obama on Tuesday, wasn't even born when Japan's former leader Shigeru Yoshida went there just six years after the country's World War II surrender, by himself ... ( read original story ...)
Forget the turkey: When it comes to Christmas, 'we Japanese think of KFC chicken'
There are moms, dads, a kid or two and young couples, all waiting to pick up their Christmas meals. In Japan, the Christmas tradition isn't turkey — it's chicken. And to be specific, it's the Kentucky fried variety. It started back in the early '70s. ( read original story ...)
Train, casino, reactor woes to grab Kansai headlines in ’17
Despite concerns about the social ills of gambling, and despite a recent opinion poll by Kyodo News showing that 69 percent of the public opposed lifting the ban on casinos, Osaka is charging forward to host the nation’s first “integrated resort ... ( read original story ...)
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 ...)
Japan scraps ‘Monju’ fast-breeder nuclear reactor after pouring $12B into project over 22 years
TOKYO — Japan formally approved a plan Wednesday to scrap an experimental fast-breeder nuclear reactor that drained government finances for decades without living up to hopes it would be a saviour for the resource-poor country’s energy needs. ( 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 ...)
Why Japan is hell-bent on saving the Trans-Pacific Partnership
When Japan recently rushed to become the first country to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership, it did so in part to pressure fence-sitters such as Canada to fall in line. “Even though the prospects of the deal coming into effect have become unclear ... ( read original story ...)
Japan seeks to win Thai air defense radar contract – sources
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is seeking to win a contract to supply Thailand with an air defense radar system built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp, as it looks to counter growing Chinese influence in the Southeast Asian nation, according to four Japanese ... ( read original story ...)
Japan emperor celebrates birthday, thanks public over abdication wish
TOKYO - Japan's Emperor Akihito marked his 83rd birthday Friday, thanking the people for their concern and effort to accommodate his apparent abdication wish. "I am profoundly grateful that many people have lent an ear to my words and are giving sincere ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese banks grapple with ultra-low interest rates
BANKS the world over are wrestling with low interest rates. Nowhere have they grappled for longer than in Japan. Although the Bank of Japan (BoJ) introduced negative rates only in January, almost 20 months after the European Central Bank, its rates have ... ( 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's huge sex problem just hit a 117-year low
Ever since 1899 when Japan began collecting data on how many babies are born each year, the total has never fallen below 1 million. Until 2016. With a week left in the year, officials predict only 981,000 babies will have been born — a dip of 25,000 from ... ( read original story ...)
BRIEF-Toyobo to merge finance unit in Osaka
Dec 22 Toyobo Co Ltd : * Says it plans to merge its wholly owned finance unit, based in Osaka * Says effective April 1, 2017 Source text in Japanese:goo.gl/JiApRA Further company coverage: (Beijing Headline News) Next In Consumer Goods and Retail ( read original story ...)