Stories tagged “Japan.”
30 stories
Crown Prince Akishino says he has 'mixed feelings' about male-only imperial succession law
Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, expressed 'mixed feelings' about the government's revision to the Imperial House Law, which insists only men can become emperor. He believes there is no difference between men and women in serving the roles o…
American man indicted for attempting to smuggle 21 kg of stimulants into Japan
A 26-year-old American man, Juan Giovanni Duck, has been indicted for attempting to smuggle 21 kilograms of methamphetamine into Japan. The stimulants were found in his suitcase and backpack after he arrived at Kansai International Airport on a flight from Hawaii.
Record rainfall causes flooding in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo. Six dead, five injured. Power cut to over 20,000 households. Thousands stranded at Narita airport.
Takaichi needs Aso on her side to solidify position in LDP
With parliament in recess, PM Sanae Takaichi's ability to manage her strained relationship with LDP Vice President Taro Aso, who leads a 60-member faction, may determine her political fortunes ahead of the fall session.
Flower wave
A giant flower carpet inspired by The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai is seen at the historic Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.
Japan wholesale prices up 7.2% in July amid Middle East tensions, AI demand
Japan's wholesale prices in July rose 7.2 percent from a year earlier, led by increases in electric power, gas and water, reflecting higher crude oil prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and strong artificial intelligence-related demand.
Cruel summer: Searching for an escape from Japan’s extreme heat
Japan's extreme heat has led to the adoption of a new term, 'cruelly hot day,' to describe days when the maximum temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher. The kanji that comprise 'cruelly hot day' are 'severe' and 'hot.'
Japanese Prime Minister Saneyuki Takayama has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Kuril Islands is 'absolutely unacceptable'. The visit, which was made on Thursday, has been met with strong opposition from Japan, with the country's foreign m…
Japan condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, calling it 'absolutely unacceptable.' The visit has added another strain to already tense relations between Tokyo and Moscow.
Torrential rain pummelled eastern Japan on Thursday, triggering landslides and power outages, and prompting the weather authority to issue its highest-level heavy rain warning for the region for the first time.
Crown Prince Declines to Discuss Revised Imperial House Law
Crown Prince Akishino declined to discuss the revised Imperial House Law at a news conference, stating he has various thoughts but prefers not to talk about it. The law aims to secure a sufficient number of Imperial Family members.
Google opens first directly run store outside U.S. in Tokyo
Google opened its first directly run store outside the United States in Tokyo's Omotesando district. The store sells smartphones and offers repair services, and is larger than any of Google's 10 retail outlets in the U.S.
Japan sees 60% rise in passport applications in July
Japan saw a 60% rise in passport applications in July, following a fee reduction. The number of applications increased 1.6 times from a year earlier to about 530,000.
Nearly half in Japan support plan to cut tax on food, survey shows
A Jiji Press survey found that nearly half of respondents support the government's plan to cut the consumption tax on food items to virtually zero. The opposition Democratic Party for the People is negative about the plan, but more than half of respondents who said they s…
The man behind 25 years of Summer Sonic
Naoki Shimizu, president of Creativeman Productions, has overseen the growth of Summer Sonic over the past 25 years, learning many lessons along the way. The festival has grown from two stages and 29 musical acts in 2000 to a three-day anniversary edition with 199 artists…
Foreign nationals support one another following quake in Kumamoto
Many foreign residents in Kumamoto Prefecture, hit by a major earthquake late last month, are supporting one another as some hesitate to go to evacuation centers or struggle to obtain information on relief supplies due to language barriers and cultural differences.
Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan
Putin's first visit to the disputed Kuril islands drew a strong Japanese protest and revived a long-running territorial dispute.
Tokyo issues angry response as Putin makes his first visit to the disputed Kuril islands
Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands has provoked a "strong" protest from Japan, which claims the territory seized by the Soviet Union in 1945.
Two pet pythons escape from apartment in Kawasaki
Two non-venomous D'Albertis pythons, each approximately two meters long, escaped from a third-floor apartment in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Japanese flag desecration law goes into effect
A new law criminalizing the desecration of Japan's national flag, the Hinomaru, has taken effect, allowing for penalties of up to two years in prison or a 200,000 yen fine for public defilement that causes strong discomfort.
Takaichi eyes forgoing Yasukuni visit for anniversary of WWII end
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering refraining from visiting the war-linked Yasukuni shrine to mark Saturday's anniversary of the end of World War II, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
Yasukuni Shrine announces cosplay, outdated military attire ban
Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo has updated its visitor policies, banning cosplay and outdated military attire to maintain a solemn atmosphere.
Ice cream makers bet consumers still want treats, just healthier ones
Ice cream companies are adapting to changing consumer preferences by focusing on healthier options like reduced portion sizes, increased protein, and cleaner ingredient lists, despite a slight dip in U.S. sales volumes.
Japan tells Iran Hormuz transit should be free of additional fees: Takaichi
Takaichi told Iran’s president that transit through the Strait of Hormuz should not face extra fees and urged restraint after attacks near Bab el-Mandeb.
Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich clarified that a recent transfer of 5,014 BTC ($322 million) was a routine custody operation, not a sale, confirming the company's Bitcoin holdings remain at 43,000 BTC.
Aeon considering compensation over fatal blast after Kumamoto quake
Aeon is considering providing compensation to the relatives of tenant shop workers who died in an explosion at its shopping facility in Kumamoto Prefecture shortly after the major earthquake on July 28.
Asia FX, dollar steady as traders weigh Fed outlook after in-line U.S. CPI
Asian currencies and the U.S. dollar remained largely steady as traders assessed the Federal Reserve's rate outlook following an in-line U.S. inflation report. Geopolitical tensions involving Iran also kept oil prices elevated, raising concerns about imported inflation in…
Japanese companies are significantly lagging in AI adoption compared to Western nations, despite facing acute labor shortages and productivity issues. This slow uptake is attributed to a conservative, risk-averse business culture and a lack of digital literacy among workers.
Over 6,000 still living in evacuation centers two weeks after Kumamoto quake
A massive earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture almost two weeks ago, leaving over 6,000 people living in evacuation centers. The number of deaths has been confirmed at 39, with 24 people suffering serious injuries. The prefecture is expected to experience high temperatur…
Battle of Okinawa survivor conveys message of peace through the classroom
Kohei Nohara, a 95-year-old survivor of the Battle of Okinawa, shared his harrowing wartime experiences with 90 fifth graders at Shonan Elementary School in Haebaru, Okinawa.