New Japan research scandal brewing over Alzheimer's study
Japan's health ministry said Friday it was probing claims falsified data was used in an Alzheimer's disease study involving major pharmaceutical firms, a day after filing an unrelated criminal complaint against Swiss drugs giant Novartis.
Earthly politicians seek roadmap for space exploration
Seeking to boldly go where few politicians have gone before, more than 30 space-faring nations gathered Thursday to map out ways to pool mankind's efforts to explore the stars.
Tech tie-up says to launch phone system rival to iOS, Android
A new smartphone operating system developed by a global collaboration of tech firms to rival Google's Android and Apple's iOS will be launched in the next few months.
Most China execs say cannot work with Japan firms: poll
About 60 percent of Chinese corporate leaders say they cannot do business with Japanese firms because of thorny relations between the two countries.
Japan PM to visit Africa, Mideast with cash pledge: reports
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Africa and the Middle East this week, reports said Monday, bearing development cash pledges as Tokyo pushes back against growing Chinese influence in the resource-rich region.
Sea Shepherd catches Japanese fleet, four whales dead
Militant anti-whaling activists Sea Shepherd said they had zeroed in on a Japanese fleet Monday and captured evidence that four whales had been slaughtered, alleging the ships were found inside a Southern Ocean sanctuary.
Harry Potter wizard invoked again as Japan hits back at China
The diplomatic bickering between Japan and China has descended into name-calling in the British press, with claim and counter-claim by the countries' ambassadors invoking the fictional evil wizard of the Harry Potter series, Lord Voldemort.
Tokyo fire stops bullet trains, strands holidaymakers
A fire near a central Tokyo station threw parts of Japan's bullet train system into chaos on Friday, as tens of thousands of passengers tried to return home from New Year holidays.
Japan PM Abe visits Yasukuni war shrine
Japan's nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid tribute at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni war shrine on Thursday, in a move Beijing condemned as "absolutely unacceptable".
Japan's 'Tree Town' sculptors make living art
With a deft clip here and a gentle tug there, Makoto Ishibashi sculpts trees with the skill of an artisan whose work is far more than just a job.
Fukushima operator readies new restructuring plan
Tokyo Electric Power said it would submit a fresh restructuring plan to a Japanese government-backed fund Wednesday, which could see the creation of a special unit to dismantle the crippled Fukushima plant.
Japan OKs record budget, sees deflation threat recede
Japan approved its biggest ever budget Tuesday, as an improving economy and a sales tax hike made room for more defence spending and the first step towards achieving a balanced budget.
Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 80
Thousands of people thronged Japan's Imperial Palace Monday to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 80th birthday, as he lauded his wife for standing by him in his "lonely" pursuit of leading the world's oldest monarchy.
Kazakhstan hockey team skates into semi finals of Universiade
The Kazakhstan hockey team has qualified for the semi finals of the Universiade in Tretino, Italy.
Filipina crowned Miss International in Japan
A Philippine beauty queen has been crowned Miss International in a pageant marred by allegations of intimidation that kept her predecessor away -- pledging to use her title to help victims of the country's devastating typhoon.
Santa takes gourmet dinner to Japan nuclear evacuees
When Santa arrived at a school hosting children who fled Japan's nuclear disaster, he brought the usual presents, but he also bore something a little less ordinary -- a gourmet Christmas dinner.
Japan to pledge $20 bn aid to ASEAN: reports
Japan will pledge $20 billion in aid to Southeast Asian countries at a 11-nation summit this weekend as it looks to shore-up ties in a region increasingly dominated by China, reports said Friday.
North Korea may be set for 'Cultural Revolution': Japan
The recent purge of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's once-powerful uncle could herald a period of radical upheaval comparable to China's Cultural Revolution, Japanese defence minister Itsunori Onodera said Thursday.
Japan Buddhists launch Monks Without Borders
First it was the doctors, then came the reporters, now a group of religious men in Japan have formed Monks Without Borders.
US House votes to get tough on child abduction
The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to punish countries that do not promptly return abducted children, upping pressure in an issue that has soured relations with Japan and other allies.