Japan's new China envoy urges stronger economic ties
Japan's new envoy to China urged stronger economic ties with Beijing in an interview broadcast Monday, after the incoming premier pledged to mend bilateral ties strained by a bitter territorial row.
Japan's incoming PM pledges to mend ties with China
Japan's incoming premier Saturday pledged to seek a thaw in ties with China after a report said he will send a special envoy on a fence-mending mission to Beijing.
Mitsubishi expands oil leak recall to 1.7 mn vehicles
Mitsubishi Motors on Wednesday widened a recall over an oil leak issue on vehicles sold in Japan to about 1.7 million vehicles, prompting a rebuke from the country's transport ministry.
Record backing expected for UN anti-death penalty vote
A record number of countries are expected to back a UN General Assembly call for a moratorium on capital punishment on Thursday.
Group defiant over US ban on tackling Japan whalers
US conservation group Sea Shepherd vowed Tuesday to fight a US court order to stay at least 500 yards away from Japanese whaling ships, and to keep protecting whales "with our ships and our lives."
Toyota shares hit highest level this year
Toyota shares on Tuesday jumped to their highest level this year, boosted by a weaker yen and after a report said the firm was on track to be the world's biggest automaker in 2012.
Japan election candidates make final pitches
Hundreds of candidates vying for a seat in Japan's parliament made their final pitches on Saturday in an election expected to see the return of the country's old guard.
Candidate, 94, uses funeral fund for Japan election
A 94-year-old man who cashed in his funeral savings to use as an election deposit was out canvassing for votes Friday, just two days ahead of Japan's general election.
Mitsubishi Bank fined $8.6 mn for flouting US sanctions
Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan's biggest bank, must pay US authorities a fine totaling some 8.6 million dollars for flouting US sanctions on Iran, Sudan, Myanmar and Cuba.
Japan scrambles fighters for China plane
Japan scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after one Chinese state-owned aeroplane entered airspace over islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing.
World leaders face big challenges in 2013
Barack Obama is back and China has a new leader in Xi Jinping, but world leaders face heavyweight issues in the coming year, from lingering economic crises to bloody tumult in the Middle East.
Japan utilities dive on atomic plant shutdown fears
Shares in Japanese power companies plunged Tuesday after a panel of experts said one of the nation's nuclear plants may sit over an active seismic fault, raising fears it would have to be scrapped.
Activists convert Japanese boat for whaling campaign
Activists aiming to halt Japan's whaling fleet Tuesday revealed their new weapon for their latest Antarctic campaign -- a US$2 million ship once owned by the government in Tokyo.
Hundreds queue up for Wii U debut in Japan
Hundreds of people queued up at electronics shops across Japan Saturday as Nintendo released its new Wii U game console, hoping to reposition itself in a gaming market invaded by online social games.
Beer is good for you: study finds anti-virus powers
Consuming large quantities of a key ingredient in beer can protect against winter sniffles and even some serious illnesses in small children, a Japanese brewery said citing a scientific study.
Japan eyes reduced emission cut target: official
Japan may backpedal on its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter, an official said Wednesday, dealing a further blow to already deadlocked global warming talks in Doha.
Safety probe after Japan tunnel collapse kills 9
Japan ordered inspections of ageing highway tunnels on Monday after a fiery collapse that killed nine people, as suspicion over the cause of the accident centred on decaying ceiling supports.
Rhythmic gymnastics: Kazakhstan athletes won silver in Japan
Kazakhstan national junior rhythmic gymnastics team was ranked second in Japan Rhythmic Gymnastics tournament.
'Friends of Syria' meet in Tokyo
Delegates from more than 60 countries gathered in Tokyo Friday, seeking to ramp up pressure on Bashar al-Assad's regime as the US moved towards recognising the newly-unified opposition as true leaders of Syria.
Sony mulls battery business sale: report
Sony is in talks with suitors including Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision over the sale of its battery business, a report said Thursday, as the Japanese firm tries to repair its dented balance sheet.