‘Star Wars,’ Trump feature at 68th Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO – Sapporo kicked off its annual snow festival Monday with 200 sculptures made from snow and ice, including one of U.S. President Donald Trump. Over 2 million people are expected to visit the weeklong show, which is held at three sites in Hokkaido ... ( read original story ...)

North Korea’s team gets pass for Asian Winter Games in Sapporo

North Korean athletes and officials will be allowed to participate in the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games later this month as an exception to the entry ban on North Korean citizens, government sources said. The punitive measure was put in place as part of ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo's Catch of the Day: Flying Fish, Superior Margins (1)

His venture airfreights freshly caught fish from across Japan, processes them on the grounds of Tokyo’s Haneda airport, and distributes the produce to the city’s notoriously choosy eaters and restaurants across Asia - but Nomoto’s goal isn’t just ... ( read original story ...)

Tokyo stocks open higher on US economic hopes

Tokyo stocks opened higher on Monday with investor sentiment buoyed by solid US job gains and a move by President Donald Trump to roll back financial regulations. US non-farm payrolls for January came in above forecast at 227,000 new jobs on Friday ... ( read original story ...)

Saying it with orchids: Inside Japan's business gift culture

"This business is clearly tied to the economy," Tanaka says ... For Akiyoshi Takumori, chief economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management Co Ltd in Tokyo, orchid sales are an imperfect indicator of economic strength. "These things get sent even in ... ( read original story ...)

Japan must expand means to counter North Korean attacks

I have advocated for Japan to prepare several protective measures, including the development of nationwide evacuation procedures and capabilities to attack North Korea's missile bases directly. In a Nikkei Asian Review article dated Nov. 25, 2016 ... ( read original story ...)

Nikkei rises as banks advance on U.S. deregulation hopes

TOKYO, Feb 6 Japan's Nikkei share average rose on Monday morning as bank stocks soared following moves by U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce regulation in the financial sector, but a slightly stronger yen kept gains limited. The Nikkei rose 0.2 percent ... ( read original story ...)

Donald, who? Ivanka Trump is the star in Japan

Japan is warily welcoming Donald Trump as the U.S. president ... on a portrait that Trump had posted on Instagram. On Twitter, news announcer Mari Maeda posted a photo of Trump in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. “Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka ... ( read original story ...)

New Pentagon chief Mattis a hit in Japan, South Korea

... Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was effusive in his endorsement as the two shook hands Friday before a phalanx of Japanese and international news reporters and cameras. "I was very encouraged," Abe said, "to see someone like you who has substantial ... ( read original story ...)

China ships sail near disputed isles after Mattis visit: Japan

TOKYO: Japan said Chinese coast guard vessels sailed Monday (Feb 6) into its territorial waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea, days after the new US defence chief vowed to defend Tokyo's control of them. Three ships entered the waters ... ( read original story ...)

Japan's Mr Yen says dollar could fall below 100 yen by end-2017

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's former currency czar Eisuke Sakakibara said the dollar could fall below 100 yen by year-end on U.S. President Donald Trump's perceived support for a weak dollar, but cautioned that any yen-selling intervention by Tokyo might be ... ( read original story ...)

Japan’s planes, trains, ships harnessing big data

Japan Airlines in December launched a system that analyzes engine temperature pressure on components in order to predict instrument anomalies. This program was developed with IBM Japan. Before the launch, the airline would schedule regular checks and ... ( read original story ...)