Activists hope gay marriage debate will stir Japan
Koyuki Higashi is slim, articulate and intelligent, things that make a would-be wife attractive to many in Japan. But Higashi knows she will probably never marry because she is a lesbian.
Toyota world's top carmaker in first half: reports
Toyota Motor has returned to the top of the global carmakers' league, Japanese media reported on Thursday, after the firm said it had sold almost five million vehicles in the first half of the year.
Japan customs say pens need weapons import licence
Japanese customs officials who impounded 200 pens more than a year ago said Friday the writing implements needed a weapons import licence because they were shaped like bullets.
Japan braces for more rain after at least 19 die
Southwestern Japan was bracing for the effects of more torrential rain Friday, on top of "unprecedented" downpours that swamped whole neighbourhoods, leaving at least 19 dead and eight missing.
Euro under pressure as Moody's lowers Italy bond rating
The euro was under fresh selling pressure to fall below $1.22 in Asia trade on Friday after ratings agency Moody's on Friday downgraded Italy's government bond rating.
50,000 flee as record rain in Japan kills three
At least three people have died and 50,000 have been ordered to evacuate their homes as unprecedented rains pound the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu.
Olympics: Meditating Buddhist monk saddles up for London
He'd prefer enlightenment to a medal, but when Japan's horse-riding Buddhist monk Kenki Sato saddles up for London 2012, he'll be representing one of the Olympics' more unusual families.
Japan reactor back to full power after nuke shutdown
A nuclear reactor in western Japan began full operations Monday, the first restart since the country shut down its atomic stations in the wake of last year's crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Afghan President hails aid, calls for help on graft
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on Monday hailed international donors for pledging $16 billion in aid to the war-torn nation, but called for more help to clamp down on corruption.
Japan's pursuit of cute spawns $30 billion industry
Police forces use them; shops can't do without them; power companies have them -- and sack them when they become unpopular.
Toshiba fined in US antitrust case
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba said Tuesday a jury has ordered it to pay $87 million in a price-fixing case on LCD displays, but that it ultimately may not end up paying damages.
Electricity flows from restarted Japan reactor
Electricity generated from nuclear fission began flowing in Japan on Thursday, ending a nearly two-month hiatus in the aftermath of the Fukushima meltdowns.
South Korea to start 'scientific' whaling
South Korea said Wednesday that it planned to start whaling through a loophole that allows the killing of whales for scientific research, following the lead of Japan's controversial expeditions.
Whaling nations defeat proposed Atlantic sanctuary
Japan and its allies shot down a Latin American-led proposal Monday to create a sanctuary for whales in the southern Atlantic Ocean, reigniting international tensions over Tokyo's whaling.
Japan begins power saving despite nuclear restart
Electricity saving targets came into effect in Japan on Monday as the country eyes a power shortfall over the hot summer, despite the weekend re-start of a nuclear reactor.
Bekmambetov wants to make Astana new Asian cinema hub
The organizers of the Festival have invited young filmmakers from the most famous Asian film schools to find a new Astana super-hero.
Boxing: Fight between Golovkin and Pirog has WBA approval
The fight between Kazakhstan boxer Gennady Golovkin and Russian Dmitry Pirog has been approved by the World Boxing Association (WBA).
PHOTO: Japanese inspect rusty bridge in Semey
Japanese experts have inspected the technical condition of the suspension bridge across the Irtysh River in Semey. The bridge hasn’t been inspected for 12 years.
Kazakhstan is looking for a superhero
Timur Bekmambetov’s Festival of Action Films Astana announced a contest of Kazakhstan superheros.
Boxing: Golovkin to defend his title on May 12
Kazakhstan boxer Gennady Golovkin will defend his title on May 12.