China trying to strengthen its claim to Okinawa National May. 20, 2013 - 06:49AM JST ( 135 Comments ) China is trying to strengthen its claim on tiny, uninhabited, Japanese-controlled islands by raising questions about the much larger Okinawa chain that is home to more than a million Japanese along with major U.S. military… Read
Tokyo Board of Education publishes names of schools using corporal punishment National May. 24, 2013 - 02:00PM JST ( 8 Comments ) The Tokyo Board of Education has released the names of some of the schools in the capital at which the use of corporal punishment was reported. According to the board's list, of 2,190 elementary, junior… Read
Hashimoto hits back at polls showing majority disagree with his comments Politics May. 21, 2013 - 06:51AM JST ( 114 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
Chinese general says Ryukyu islands do not belong to Japan Politics May. 17, 2013 - 06:45AM JST ( 113 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
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
Happiness is an empty pavement Opinions May. 24, 2013 - 06:02AM JST ( 6 Comments ) Bikes, bicycles, "pedal-powered chariots of emancipation" or however you choose to describe them are, for folks living in Japan, a stable fixture on roads, paths and pretty much anywhere you can imagine. On a trip… Read
Honda, Kagawa picked for World Cup qualifier against Australia Sports May. 24, 2013 - 06:17AM JST ( 6 Comments ) Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa were picked Thursday in Japan's 26-man squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Australia next month. Japan has 13 points in Group B of Asian qualifying and can clinch… Read
Asia tension could lead to conflict: Philippine foreign minister Politics May. 24, 2013 - 05:36AM JST ( 5 Comments ) The Philippines on Thursday warned that territorial rows in Asia are "causing considerable tension that could lead to conflict" as several countries face off with China over island claims. Philippine secretary of foreign affairs Albert… Read
Powerful camcorder New Products May. 24, 2013 - 06:53AM JST ( 5 Comments ) JVC’s new powerful camcorder the GC-P100 is the sport oriented or action amateur filmmaker's dream come true. Indeed, thanks to JVC’s Falcon Bird technology, the GC-P100 is capable of shooting by default Full HD 60p… 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
Samsung sells more than 10 mil Galaxy S4 smartphones; Apple takes aim with patent lawsuit Technology May. 24, 2013 - 06:51AM JST ( 4 Comments ) South Korea's Samsung Electronics said Thursday its latest flagship Galaxy S4 had become its fastest selling smartphone to date, topping 10 million units globally less than a month after its debut. A company statement said… 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 ( 58 Comments )
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
Ishihara advises Hashimoto to stop tweeting Politics May. 22, 2013 - 09:50AM JST ( 55 Comments ) Shintaro Ishihara, a political ally and co-leader of the Japan Restoration Party with Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, has reportedly advised his younger colleague to stop tweeting. Hashimoto has been tweeting his views on wartime comfort… Read
Miike's action film gets booed at Cannes Entertainment May. 21, 2013 - 02:40PM JST ( 50 Comments ) A blood-soaked vengeance tale from Japan drew the biggest boos in the race for the Cannes Film Festival's top prize Monday, with critics savaging a "risible" parade of cliches. Japanese director Takashi Miike unveiled "Shield… Read
At least 91 dead in Oklahoma City tornado World May. 21, 2013 - 02:00PM JST ( 50 Comments ) A powerful tornado swept through an Oklahoma City suburb on Monday, tearing down blocks of homes, two schools and leaving at least 91 people dead, including 20 children, local officials said. The state medical examiner's… Read
Survey suggests that more kids than ever in Japan think cigarettes stink National May. 24, 2013 - 06:07AM JST ( 3 Comments ) Cigarettes at one time were the hallmark accessory of any cool kid in school who dared sneak off to the bathroom to share a stolen smoke with a pal. Kids will always be kids, and… Read