Japan pop idol shaves head after sex scandal
A Japanese starlet who shaved her head and issued a tearful YouTube apology after spending the night with a man was scrambling Friday to redeem the girl next door image of all-female group AKB48.
Japan PM says to change post-war constitution
Japan's hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament Thursday that he intends to change the country's post-World War II constitution, lowering the bar for further amendments.
Japan cabinet to approve $1.02 trillion annual budget
Japan's cabinet was Tuesday set to approve a $1.02 trillion annual budget with boosts in defence and public works spending amid a festering territorial row with China and a renewed assault on deflation.
International donor conference for war-torn Mali opens
An international donor conference to drum up funds and troops to help the military operation against Islamist militants in Mali opened on Tuesday at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia's capital.
Japan manufacturers make big emissions cuts: survey
Japan's big manufacturers reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 15 percent annually on average over the past five years compared to 1990.
World's biggest nuke plant may shut: Japan report
The largest nuclear power plant in the world may be forced to shut down under tightened rules proposed by Japan's new nuclear watchdog aimed at safeguarding against earthquakes.
Taiwan boat leaves islands after Japan water cannon duel
A boat carrying Taiwanese activists headed for disputed Japanese-controlled islands turned back Thursday after coastguard vessels from the two sides converged and duelled with water cannon.
ANA to cancel more Dreamliner flights: media
Japan's All Nippon Airways plans to cancel at least 379 flights in February due to the worldwide grounding of Boeing's Dreamliner.
South Korean rocket launch set for Jan 30
South Korea confirmed Thursday that it will make another bid on January 30 to put a satellite in orbit and join an elite club of global space powers that includes China, Japan and India.
Taiwan activists head for Japan-controlled isles
A boatload of Taiwanese activists protected by the island's coastguard was Thursday heading for Japanese-held islands at the centre of a bitter international wrangle involving Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei.
Japanese Ministop brand taps into Kazakhstan market
International network of combo stores under Japanese brand Ministop has entered the Kazakhstan market. The first combo store opened in Almaty on January 18.
BoJ starts first meeting under new Japan government
The Bank of Japan on Monday began its first policy meeting since the new premier took office with a pledge to pressure it into aggressive monetary easing to revive the long-suffering economy.
Clinton stands by Japan on China island row
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a veiled warning Friday to China not to challenge Japan's control of disputed islands as Tokyo's new government vowed not to aggravate tensions.
Japan says will sign child abduction treaty
Japan's foreign minister said Friday his country's new government would sign a treaty on child abductions, addressing one of the few rifts in relations with its main ally the United States.
China ships in waters around disputed islands: Japan
Three Chinese government ships Saturday entered Japanese territorial waters around disputed islands, Japan's coastguard said, hours after a veiled US warning to Beijing not to challenge Tokyo's control.
Mercury treaty adopted in Geneva by 140 countries
Delegations from some 140 countries have agreed to adopt a ground-breaking treaty limiting the use of health-hazardous mercury.
Sony selling Madison Avenue HQ building for $1.1 bn
Sony said Friday it was selling its US headquarters in Manhattan for $1.1 billion as part of an overhaul aimed at rescuing the Japanese consumer electronics giant's tattered balance sheet.
Boeing crisis deepens as US, Japan ground Dreamliner
Boeing suffered another huge blow on Wednesday as US and Japanese regulators grounded its 787 Dreamliner until a fire risk linked to the plane's lithium batteries can been resolved.
Regulator grounds Air India Dreamliners
India's aviation regulator said Thursday it had instructed Air India to ground its fleet of Boeing Dreamliners following similar orders from authorities in the United States and Japan.
Julien David street cool kicks off Paris menswear shows
Tokyo-based French designer Julien David made his men's catwalk debut at the Paris menswear shows with a casual but elegant streetwear-inspired collection, while Mugler reinvented uniforms in a blaze of acid colours.