6.0 magnitude quake strikes off coast of Japan, no tsunami risk

TOKYO – An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 struck off northeastern Japan on Wednesday. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no risk of tsunami. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake struck at 5:22 a.m. (8:22 ... ( read original story ...)

60% of Japanese corporate chiefs oppose delaying fiscal reform

TOKYO -- More than 60% of Japanese business leaders are against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to push back a key fiscal-health target, a Nikkei survey shows, indicating a deep wariness toward his commitment to reducing the nation's heavy debt load. ( read original story ...)

Japan wrangles over new target date for balancing budget

Change of plans Japan's primary balance indicates the ability of the national and local governments to offset spending with revenue without relying on debt. Even by the most generous official estimates, moving the primary balance into the black by March ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Fukushima cleanup plan delays spent fuel removal

Japan's government on Tuesday approved a revision to its 30-to-40-year plan to decommission the Fukushima nuclear plant, delaying by two more years the removal of radioactive fuel rods in two of the three reactors damaged in the 2011 disaster. Six-and-half ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe calls snap election

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called an election a year early and will dissolve parliament on Thursday. Mr Abe said he was seeking a fresh mandate to overcome "a national crisis" amid rising threats from North Korea. His decision comes amid ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks close lower on US-NorthKorea woes

Tokyo stocks closed ended lower on Tuesday as exporters were hit by a rush into the safe-haven yen with tensions between the United States and North Korea flaring up again. The bellwether Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.33 percent, or 67.39 points, to 20,330.19 ... ( read original story ...)

Why India must join hands with Japan

For Tokyo, it could mean big business for Japanese conglomerates that are involved in the nuclear energy sector. Third, Japan is looking for new partners, although its alliance with the US remains strong. However, the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific ... ( read original story ...)

New Mixed-Use Redevelopment Project to Open in Tokyo’s Hibiya

IN WITH THE NEW: When Japanese property developer Mitsui Fudosan said in 2005 that it would tear down the historic Sanshin Building in Tokyo’s Hibiya district, it was met with opposition by historians and architects who sought to preserve the property. ( read original story ...)

Multiple challenges remain to Fukushima nuclear cleanup

TOKYO – Japan's government approved a revised road map Tuesday ... The water is stored in hundreds of tanks that cover much of the plant property. They get in the way of decommissioning work and pose another risk if they were to spill out their contents ... ( read original story ...)

Video makers explore virtual reality for adults in Japan

Though still a fairly new technology, the virtual reality market in Japan is the second largest in the world, following the United States. As the technology continues to grow, numerous industries, including the adult entertainment industry, are looking to ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s Fukushima cleanup plan delays removal of fuel rods

(Kyodo News via AP, File) Japan's government on Tuesday approved a revision of its 30-to-40-year plan to decommission the Fukushima nuclear plant, delaying by three more years the removal of radioactive fuel rods stored at two of the three reactors damaged ... ( read original story ...)

Danish jazz violinist returns from Japan to play at the Bing

“Wherever you go in Japan, they’re playing jazz — in restaurants and cafés ... “Stanley was certainly a great mentor for me to have at that early age.” Like the Palo Alto Daily News Facebook page for neighborhood news and conversation from ... ( read original story ...)

On the Road: Hog turns Japanese

Instead of following American trends of long and skinny custom Harley-Davidsons in the ‘West Coast-style’, Hatton says, he turned instead to Japanese influences. “In Japan, they tend to go for a big and chunky look, and it’s much more muscular ... ( read original story ...)