Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with a senior South Korean envoy on Thursday, as the two countries try to lower tensions over Tokyo’s wartime use of “comfort women”. The special envoy dispatched by South Korea’s new President Moon Jae-In said in Tokyo that Seoul wants regular summits and improved relations, which have been hindered … Read more
A member of Japan’s royal family, Princess Mako, is to surrender her royal status by marrying a commoner. The 25-year-old eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito will become engaged to law firm worker Kei Komuro, also 25, whom she met while studying together. Japan’s imperial law requires a princess to leave the royal family after marrying … Read more
A member of Japan’s royal family, Princess Mako, is to surrender her royal status by marrying a commoner. The 25-year-old eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito will become engaged to law firm worker Kei Komuro, also 25, whom she met while studying together. Japan’s imperial law requires a princess to leave the royal family after marrying … Read more
Japan has posted its longest economic expansion in over a decade, government data showed Thursday, chalking up a win for Tokyo’s growth bid even though the battle to conquer deflation is still far from won. The world’s number three economy grew 0.5 percent in the first three months of 2017, its fifth straight winning quarter, … Read more
Toyota has its sights set on a Blade Runner future as the Japanese automaker backs a move to launch a flying car in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The company is giving about 42.5 million yen ($375,000) to the Cartivator project, which is developing the three-wheeled sci-fi car that relies on drone technology to … Read more
More than 100 Japanese babies faced off Sunday in a traditional “crying sumo” ring, an annual ceremony believed to bring infants good health. In the sumo ring at the precinct of the Kamegaike Hachimangu shrine in Sagamihara west of Tokyo, two hulking wrestlers held up toddlers wearing tiny sumo belts and aprons to try to … Read more
Some 20 foreigners held at an immigration detention centre in Tokyo are on a rare hunger strike in an apparent bid for improved treatment, an official said Friday. Activists, lawyers and migrants in Japan have complained for years about harsh treatment by some immigration officials and over conditions at detention centres. “The detainees began refusing … Read more
Most Asian markets turned lower Friday following a healthy run-up in the week, tracking a sell-off on Wall Street where a plunge in retail giant Macy’s fanned concerns about the key US retail sector. Optimism has been high the past four days on solid US jobs data and moderate Emmanuel Macron’s landslide French presidential win … Read more
IPC chief Xavier Gonzalez said he was impressed with the “commitment and enthusiasm” shown by Tokyo The International Paralympic Committee is “greatly encouraged” by the progress being made by the organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Games. The governing body completed a review in the Japanese capital on Thursday. Only 12% of available tickets had been … Read more
A Japanese university is planning what it says will be the world’s first research centre devoted to ninja — the black clad assassins known for secrecy and stealth. While mostly confined to history books and fiction, ninja have been enjoying something of a resurgence as Japanese authorities increasingly deploy them to promote tourism ahead of … Read more
South Korea’s new President Moon Jae-In and US President Donald Trump agreed Wednesday on “close cooperation” in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, Seoul’s presidential office said. In their first phone call since Moon’s inauguration, the two leaders “agreed on close cooperation in resolving security concerns on the Korean peninsula including North Korea’s nuclear … Read more
Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s new president, has declared his willingness to visit the nuclear-armed North, moments after taking his oath of office. Moon, who was declared the winner on Tuesday of the presidential election, said he will “sincerely negotiate” with the United States, South Korea’s chief ally, and China, South Korea’s top trading partner, over … Read more
South Korea’s new President Moon Jae-in has been sworn in, vowing to address the economy and relations with the North in his first speech as president. He said that he would even be willing to visit Pyongyang under the right circumstances. Mr Moon took his oath of office in Seoul’s National Assembly building a day … Read more
South Korea’s new president was sworn in on Wednesday, just a day after a landslide election victory, and immediately declared his willingness to visit Pyongyang amid high tensions with the nuclear-armed North. Left-leaning Moon Jae-In, a former human rights lawyer, backs engagement with North Korea in the quest for peace — in contrast to the … Read more
South Korea’s new leader Moon Jae-in has been sworn in, vowing to address the economy and relations with the North in his first speech as president. He said that he would even be willing to visit Pyongyang under the right circumstances. Mr Moon took his oath of office in Seoul’s National Assembly building a day … Read more
A strong earthquake hit southern Japan on Tuesday, though there was no tsunami warning nor immediate reports of damage or injuries. The magnitude 6.0 quake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) in waters off the island of Miyako in the southern Okinawan chain, according to the US Geological Survey. Japan’s Meteorological Agency … Read more
Jaguares of Argentina snapped a four-match losing streak with a come-from-behind 46-39 victory over Sunwolves of Japan Saturday in a Super Rugby try fest. The hosts turned a 39-27 deficit 14 minutes from time into a seven-point victory thanks to tries from Matias Alemanno, Agustin Creevy and Matias Moroni. Jaguares scored seven tries and Sunwolves … Read more
Japan plans to donate retired military patrol aircraft to Malaysia, a report said Friday, as alliances strengthen in response to China’s maritime claims. The two countries are among a number in the region stepping up defence cooperation against what they see as Beijing’s aggressive stance on the high seas. Beijing insists it has sovereign rights … Read more
Long jump world record-holder Mike Powell said plans to rewrite world records set before 2005 are “a slap in the face” and vowed on Wednesday to fight the move. European Athletics has proposed that only world records that stand up to strict criteria should be recognised in order to make a clean break with the … Read more
Plans to rewrite world records set before 2005 are “disrespectful, an injustice and a slap in the face”, says former long jumper Mike Powell, who stands to lose his own world record. The proposals by European Athletics are part of attempts to make a clean break with the sport’s doping scandals. If the move is … Read more