PM Abe wins big in Japan upper house poll
Voters handed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a thumping victory in upper house elections Sunday, exit polls showed, likely ushering in a new period of stability for politically volatile Japan.
Japan wins rights to explore for rare metals in Pacific
Japan on Saturday said it had won the rights to explore for cobalt-rich crusts in the Pacific, a move that could reduce its dependence on China for rare metals.
Japan govt approves stem cell clinical trials
Japan's government on Friday gave its seal of approval to the world's first clinical trials using stem cells harvested from a patient's own body.
Fukushima steam still baffling: TEPCO
The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant said Friday it still did not know what caused steam seen inside a reactor building, nor why it was no longer there.
Panasonic, Sanyo fined $56 mn for price-fixing: US
Japan's Panasonic and its subsidiary Sanyo have each pleaded guilty to price-fixing involving auto parts and battery cells, agreeing to pay $56.5 million in fines.
Steam seen in Fukushima reactor building: TEPCO
Steam has been spotted in a reactor building at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, its operator said Thursday, but stressed there is no sign yet of increased radiation.
Japan mob publishes magazine for gangsters: reports
Japan's biggest yakuza organised crime group has published a magazine for its members that includes a poetry page and senior gangsters' fishing diaries.
Japan broadcasters ban Panasonic 'smart' TV commercial
Japanese broadcasters are refusing to air commercials for Panasonic's new "smart" television, the manufacturer said Monday, amid speculation they feel threatened by its combined TV-Internet function.
Japan nuclear operators ask for OK on reactor restarts
Japanese utilities on Monday asked regulators for permission to turn on 10 nuclear reactors, a move that could presage a widespread restart of atomic power more than two years after the Fukushima disaster.
Elderly shoplifters outstrip teenagers in Tokyo
The number of elderly people caught shoplifting in Japan's capital city has outstripped that of teenagers for the first time since records began.
Japan court to deliver verdict on Olympus executives
A Japanese court on Wednesday is due to deliver a verdict in the case of three disgraced Olympus executives accused of engineering a massive accounting fraud at the camera and medical equipment maker.
US takes up gaps on Syria, sea disputes at Asia forum
Asia-Pacific security talks opened Tuesday with Beijing under pressure over its South China Sea claims.
Australia takes Japan to top UN court to stop whaling
Australia takes its legal battle to stop Japanese whaling in the Antarctic before the UN's highest court on Wednesday, in an emotionally-charged case activists say is make-or-break for the giant marine mammals' future.
Japanese racing pigeon flies across Pacific to Canada
A plucky pigeon that flew across the Pacific Ocean from Japan will be bred by a bird lover in Canada hoping its progeny will make top long-distance racers.
Few festival fans guard against smartphone loss: survey
Ninety-two percent of music festival goers are more likely to bring a smartphone to an event than cash or ID, but many fail to guard against loss or theft.
World's oldest ever man dies aged 116
The world's oldest person and the oldest man ever to have lived has died of natural causes aged 116.
Japan PM to step up nuclear export drive: report
Japan's prime minister is expected to sign a nuclear cooperation deal with the Czech Republic this month, a report said Saturday.
France's Hollande heads to Japan for 'Abenomics' lesson
Just weeks after a visit to regional rival China, French President Francois Hollande arrives in Japan on Thursday, hoping to close deals on nuclear cooperation and in the aviation sector.
Japan pledges $14 bn in aid to Africa over 5 years
Japan said Saturday it would give $14 billion in aid to Africa over the next five years, as Tokyo scrambles to grab a share of resources and the potentially vast marketplace on offer.
Japan, Russia to jointly develop oilfield
Japan and Russia on Wednesday signed a deal that will see them jointly explore and develop a potentially lucrative oil and gas field off Russia's Far East coast.