Gov't panel warns of dangers if debt not addressed Politics May. 22, 2013 - 06:50AM JST ( 8 Comments ) A Japanese government panel warns there is "absolutely no guarantee" that domestic investors will keep financing the country's massive public debt, citing the risk of a spike in bond yields that could crimp long-term growth… Read
Should we let wunderkinds drop out of high school? Careers May. 22, 2013 - 06:57AM JST ( 7 Comments ) It's one thing to say tech geniuses don't need degrees. After all, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg all dropped out of college. But now we've got David Karp, who doesn't even have a… Read
Microsoft touts Xbox One as all-in-one entertainment Technology May. 22, 2013 - 07:00AM JST ( 7 Comments ) Microsoft thinks it has the one. The company unveiled the Xbox One, an entertainment console that wants to be the one system households will need for games, television, movies and other entertainment. It will go… Read
U.S. Congress grills former IRS boss over tax scandal World May. 22, 2013 - 06:30AM JST ( 7 Comments ) Under fierce questioning by U.S. lawmakers, the political appointee who headed the IRS during the tax agency's targeting of conservative groups insisted Tuesday he was not involved in the scandal. Senators grilled retired IRS boss… Read
Chinese general says Ryukyu islands do not belong to Japan Politics May. 17, 2013 - 06:45AM JST ( 110 Comments ) A senior Chinese military officer has said the Ryukyu Islands -- which include Okinawa and its U.S. military bases -- "do not belong to Japan", as a territorial row mounts between the Asian powers. The… Read
Hashimoto hits back at polls showing majority disagree with his comments Politics May. 21, 2013 - 06:51AM JST ( 109 Comments ) A large majority of Japanese people disagree with Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto who said women forced to provide sex during World War II were a military necessity, polls issued Monday said. Up to 200,000 "comfort… Read
White House: Obama is no Nixon World May. 15, 2013 - 05:18AM JST ( 101 Comments ) The White House was confronted by the ghost of disgraced former president Richard Nixon on Tuesday, as it battled to stem a tide of scandal that threatens to swamp Barack Obama's second term agenda. After… Read
Guilty and never proven innocent – every male train rider's nightmare in Japan Crime May. 19, 2013 - 06:30AM JST ( 100 Comments ) Tales of subway groping are unfortunately commonplace in Japan, and anyone committing such a pathetic and cowardly act deserves every punishment given. But what happens if you are falsely accused? Often filled well beyond capacity,… Read
Hashimoto says he lacked sensitivity to U.S. perception of prostitution Politics May. 17, 2013 - 02:50PM JST ( 96 Comments ) Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who outraged many with remarks about Japan's wartime and modern sexual services, stood by his comments Thursday, but said he may have lacked "international sensitivity." Speaking at his third news conference… Read
Denso execs to plead guilty to price fixing in Toyota case in U.S. Crime May. 22, 2013 - 06:44AM JST ( 6 Comments ) Two executives at Japan's Denso Corp have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix prices of electronic auto parts sold to Toyota and will cooperate with an ongoing criminal investigation, the U.S. Justice Department… Read
BOJ says no new easing measures Business May. 22, 2013 - 02:35PM JST ( 6 Comments ) The Bank of Japan on Wednesday held off fresh easing measures, saying after a two-day policy meeting that a continuation of steps introduced last month would help Japan overcome deflation. The central bank said its… Read
Abe warns of possible military response to intruder subs Politics May. 15, 2013 - 01:00PM JST ( 95 Comments ) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday Tokyo could mount a military response if foreign submarines enter its territorial waters while underwater, as Japan and China continue to squabble over islands. Abe's comment came after Japan's… Read
Okinawan women demand apology from Hashimoto National May. 16, 2013 - 09:30AM JST ( 94 Comments ) Women on Okinawa on Wednesday demanded an apology from Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto who suggested U.S. troops there make use of its thriving sex industry. Hashimoto also said earlier this week that "comfort women" served… Read
The club, meaning corporate Japan, will do everything it can to mask and hide what’s wrong. That’s what’s most important. Quote of the Day May. 22, 2013 - 06:03AM JST ( 5 Comments ) Michael Woodford, the former chief executive officer of Olympus Corp, saying he wasn't surprised at Sony Corp’s curt dismissal of a foreign investor's advice last week. (Bloomberg) Read
Israel warns Syria of 'consequences' if Golan fire continues World May. 22, 2013 - 06:55AM JST ( 5 Comments ) The head of Israel's armed forces warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday of "consequences" if fire continues from Syrian territory against Israeli troops in the occupied Golan Heights. "If he disturbs the Golan Heights,… Read
Abe defends right to visit Yasukuni Shrine Politics May. 18, 2013 - 04:10PM JST ( 71 Comments ) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe defended in an interview on Friday the right of Japan's leaders to visit a controversial shrine to war dead but hit back at critics who accuse him of revisionism. Amid the… Read
Restoration Party member ousted over Korean prostitution remarks Politics May. 18, 2013 - 02:00PM JST ( 70 Comments ) An emerging Japanese nationalist political party whose co-leader outraged many with remarks about Japan's wartime and modern sexual services became embroiled in more controversy Friday when a party lawmaker accused ethnic Koreans of involvement in… Read
Companies Japanese people are most proud of National May. 19, 2013 - 06:42AM JST ( 66 Comments ) Market researcher Risk Monster has released the results of its first ever “Companies the Japanese Can be Globally Proud Of” survey. Conducted Feb 25 to 27, the survey received valid responses from 1,000 men and… Read
Japanese Lolitas plan world domination Arts & Culture May. 17, 2013 - 07:05AM JST ( 57 Comments ) Disconcerting news from the world of Japanese fashion: adherents to the cutesy subculture of Lolita fashion are organizing themselves into an official group. Their target: the whole world. The Japan Lolita Association was formed in… Read
Do you think airlines are sneaky about fuel surcharges, fees for extra baggage and other charges for various services? Have Your Say May. 20, 2013 - 06:30AM JST ( 57 Comments )