More than two decades after Japan's Aum Shinrikyo cult plunged Tokyo into terror by releasing a nerve agent on rush-hour subway trains, its spinoffs continue to attract new followers. Cult head Shoko Asahara is on death row, along with 12 of his disciples ... ( read original story ...)
Ministry of Finance staff member found dead in apparent suicide in January
An employee of the Ministry of Finance committed suicide in a dormitory in Setagaya Ward in January (Twitter) TOKYO (TR) – A male staff member of the Ministry of Finance was found dead in an apparent suicide in Setagaya Ward in January, it was learned ... ( read original story ...)
ANIME NEWS: ‘Chihayafuru’ exhibition set for Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka in spring
Manga artist Yuki Suetsugu’s first solo exhibition featuring original art from “Chihayafuru” will take place in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. The art event is set to show about 130 illustrations and manuscripts mainly from the manga, which is about high ... ( read original story ...)
These photos reveal what it’s like to shop at Costco in Japan
The Japanese arm of the business is a wholly owned subsidiary of Costco US. While it stocks several US brands and Costco private-label products, there are some big differences between the experiences of shopping in both locations. ( read original story ...)
Osaka stuns Halep as rising stars reach Indian Wells final
(Reuters) - Japan's Naomi Osaka made short work of a subdued world number one Simona Halep on Friday, the unseeded 20-year-old racing to a 6-3 6-0 semi-final victory to set up a surprise BNP Paribas Open final against Daria Kasatkina. The Russian ... ( read original story ...)
Spring comes to Tokyo with first cherry blossoms
"Warm temperatures in late February and early March hastened the growth of buds," an agency official told reporters to the cheers of visitors at the shrine in central Tokyo. The story hit the headlines with Jiji Press reporting it as breaking news ... ( read original story ...)
Kasatkina beats Williams; Osaka ousts Halep at Indian Wells
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — The future is now at the BNP Paribas Open. Daria Kasatkina upset Venus Williams 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in a nearly three-hour baseline struggle and Naomi Osaka routed top-ranked Simona Halep 6-3, 6-0 in 64 minutes on Friday night to ... ( read original story ...)
Kasatkina beats Williams; Osaka upends Halep at Indian Wells
Naomi Osaka made much quicker work of top-ranked Simona Halep, routing her 6-3, 6-0 in 64 minutes to set up a final between two 20-year-olds on Sunday. Kasatkina was two points from defeat, trailing 4-5 and 0-30 in the third set when Williams committed ... ( read original story ...)
Japanese sensation Osaka blitzes Halep en route to decider
It will be a battle of the 20-year-olds in the Indian Wells Masters final after Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka crushed world number one Simona Halep in straight sets. Halep was the overwhelming favourite but the three-time grand slam finalist was ... ( read original story ...)
Japan theme park to replace a third of staff with robots
TOKYO -- Japanese travel agency and resort operator H.I.S. plans ... Chairman and CEO Hideo Sawada said in an interview with Nikkei that he plans to reduce that number to about 800 by around 2021. The displaced workers "will be reassigned to growing ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo: Man swindled women with ‘mistress contract’ scams
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 24-year-old man who is suspected of swindling multiple women by posing as the son of the president of a talent agency, reports Nippon News Network (Mar. 16). In December of last year, Akira Baba ... ( read original story ...)
Owner of dog mistakenly flown to Japan ‘likely’ to take legal action against United Airlines
The owner of a dog mistakenly flown to Japan will “most likely” pursue legal action against United Airlines, she said today on ABC News’ “Good Morning America” “Most likely, yes, we will,” Kansas resident Kara Swindle said when asked whether ... ( read original story ...)
Japan finance minister to skip G20 as cronyism scandal balloons
Japan's finance minister will skip a G20 meeting next week, officials said Friday, to address parliament as pressure mounts over a cronyism scandal and alleged cover-up dogging the prime minister. Taro Aso "will concentrate on" dealing with parliament, and ... ( read original story ...)
Tokyo: Kabukicho bar host accused of assaulting girlfriend over bill
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a bar host for allegedly assaulting a female customer who had accumulated a large debt, reports Fuji News Network (Mar. 15). On March 1, Yusuke Sakurai, a 21-year-old university student, summoned the ... ( read original story ...)
Startup event Slush takes over Tokyo – Helsinki and Finnish companies well represented
Over 6000 technology industry professionals will gather in Tokyo in late March at Slush, the startup event that promotes change in the global business culture. Among the Finnish companies that will be participating are ten pioneering startups in the fields ... ( read original story ...)
Amazon Japan probe tests antitrust doctrine in new era
TOKYO -- Antitrust investigators raided Amazon Japan's offices Thursday over suspicions that the online retailer is muscling suppliers into subsidizing discounts on its platform, but determining whether the new-economy heavyweight truly engaged in unfair ... ( read original story ...)