Japan says no decision on 2015-16 whaling
Japan on Monday insisted it had made no decision on whether to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean next year, after a militant environmental group said Tokyo intended to evade an international court ruling.
'Cherry tree from space' mystery baffles Japan
A cosmic mystery is uniting monks and scientists in Japan after a cherry tree grown from a seed that orbited the Earth for eight months bloomed years earlier than expected -- and with very surprising flowers.
Pair of Japanese mangoes fetch $3,000 at auction
A pair of mangoes grown in southern Japan sold Thursday for a whopping 300,000 yen ($3,000), a record price for the fruit's first auction of the season, Kyodo News reported.
Japan kills 251 minke whales in final Antarctic hunt
Japan killed 251 minke whales during the 2014 Antarctic hunt, in what is expected to be the last "research whaling" mission in the Southern Ocean after an international court ruling.
Denis Ten skates at Japanese Skating Exhibition
Bronze winner of the Sochi Olympics in figure skating Denis Ten from Kazakhstan is participating in the Osaka World Figure Skating Exhibition 2014 alongside Yuzuru Hanyu, the Olympic champion, and Canadian silver medalist Patrick Chan.
Japan lawmaker resigns over $8 mn loan scandal
A senior Japanese politician has announced he is resigning as his party's leader, despite insisting that he spent an undeclared $8 million loan not on politics but on personal items -- including an ornamental rake.
Spring in Japan: beautiful blossoms and hayfever misery
Spring in Japan brings explosions of pink and white cherry blossoms that provide a beautiful backdrop for picnics across this nature-loving country.
Novartis replaces top Japan executives over drug trial scandal
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Thursday it was replacing the top executives at its Japanese unit over allegations the division hid serious potential side effects of leukaemia treatments from regulators.
Japan cancels next Antarctic whaling hunt after ICJ ruling
Japan said Thursday it was cancelling its annual Antarctic whaling hunt for the first time in more than a quarter of a century in line with a UN court ruling that the programme was a commercial activity disguised as science.
Minor tsunami hits Japan after Chile quake
Small tsunami waves hit northern Japan early Thursday following a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake thousands of kilometres away across the Pacific Ocean in Chile after officials issued an evacuation advisory for certain areas.
Japan shoppers see first sales tax rise in 17 years
Prices rose across Japan Tuesday as a controversial sales tax rise came into effect, with everything from beer to washing machines costing more, sparking fears a drop in consumer spending will derail a nascent economic recovery.
Japan lifts own blanket arms export ban
Japan on Tuesday lifted a self-imposed ban on weapons exports, introducing new rules covering the arms trade in a move supporters say will boost Tokyo's global role, but which could unnerve China.
Whaling ban applauded despite fears of Japan sidestep
Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday hailed a landmark court decision that Japan must halt an annual Antarctic whale hunt, despite fears it may try to sidestep the order.
Apple vs Samsung case to start before fresh jury
Jurors were selected Monday for a high-stakes patent battle between smartphone rivals Apple and Samsung, setting the stage for attorneys to open fire regarding who copied innovations.
Climate change boosts conflict risk, floods, hunger: UN
Soaring carbon emissions will amplify the risk of conflict, hunger, floods and migration this century, the UN's expert panel said Monday in a landmark report on the impact of climate change.
Taiwan's Hon Hai profit up 12.7% in 2013 on iPhone demand
Taiwan tech giant Hon Hai Precision, the world's largest contract manufacturer for electronics, saw its net profit rise 12.7 percent on-year in 2013, bolstered by demand for Apple's new products.
World's 'longest-serving' death row inmate granted retrial in Japan
A man believed to be the world's longest-serving death row inmate was Thursday granted a retrial in Japan over multiple murders in 1966, decades after doubts emerged about his guilt.
President Nazarbayev meets Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe
One of the major spheres for cooperation is nuclear power industry. As a leading uranium producer, Kazakhstan could supply the raw material to feed Japan-based nuclear power plants: Nazarbayev.
Indian Toyota workers down tools despite end to lockout
Employees at Toyota's auto assembly plants in southern India failed to return to work Monday at the end of a week-long lockout after refusing to sign codes of conduct, their union said.
Japan, N. Korea move to restart formal talks
Japan and North Korea are moving to restart formal government-level talks, a foreign ministry official said Thursday, after a shift over the contentious issue of Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese citizens.