News On Japan

Schools in Japan are aware of a total of 606 children with gender identity disorder, the education ministry's first-ever survey on the matter revealed Friday. (Jiji Press)

Firefighters called to a report that a plane had smashed into a cliff in northern Japan found the wreckage to be nothing more than a clump of flowers in full bloom. (Japan Today)

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has received what is often called the Nobel Prize of architecture -- this year's Pritzker Architecture Prize. (NHK)

The National Police Agency is likely to seek permission for dance clubs to remain open all night, the Yomiuri Shimbun learned Friday. (The Japan News)

Nara Prefectural Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of an 85-year-old man from Wakayama Precture for repeatedly stalking a woman, reports the Mainichi Shimbun (June 10). (Tokyo Reporter)

Low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines inaugurated two new midsize Airbus A330-300 passenger jets, making it the first Japanese airliner to fly the model variant. (Asahi)

The government has unveiled an action plan to provide foreign visitors with high-level wireless communications services as the country prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (The Japan News)

Bridgestone Corp. has signed an agreement with the International Olympic Committee to become an official worldwide Olympic partner. (The Japan News)

An iconic Tokyo landmark has been illuminated in the color of Japan's national soccer team in the lead up to the squad's first match in the World Cup finals in Brazil. (NHK)

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan in the early hours of Sunday , the U.S. Geological Survey said, predicting low chances of any major damage being caused. (Japan Today)

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Saturday that mine removal in international sea lanes should be allowed as a case in which the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. (Jiji Press)

The carcasses of more than 10 dead pigs were found on a highway in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture, on Saturday morning. (Japan Today)

A select group of soccer fans have enjoyed watching a World Cup match on an ultra high-definition television at a public viewing event in Tokyo. (NHK)

Ivory Coast scored two quick goals against Japan in the second half to win 2-1 at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. (Daily Star)

Police in Yachiyo, Chiba Prefecture, said Sunday that a 35-year-old woman and her three children, aged 2, 6 and 7, fell to their deaths from the 14th floor of an apartment block. (Japan Today)

Two moderate earthquakes struck off Japan's eastern coast near Fukushima early Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, but officials said there was no immediate risk to the stricken power plant. (Japan Today)

Japanese soccer fans fell into a funk Sunday after the national team lost its first match of the 2014 World Cup against Cote d'Ivoire, after sports stadiums, bars and clubs across the country opened their doors early Sunday to spectators. (Japan Times)

As Pernambuco Stadium filled up for the Blue Samurai's first match against Ivory Coast, a tiny Japanese girl walked by dressed as an enormous football, cute cuddly toys hanging from her neck and a Dr. Seuss hat perched on her head. (nbcnews.com)

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni admitted Sunday he could be forced into a radical rethink to salvage his team's World Cup dreams after an opening 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast. (Bangkok Post)

The Freedom box from McIntyre Media is the only stand-alone hardware solution we found in Japan that uses the open source media center software XBMC that connects to one's TV via an HDMI cable. Of course, there are a number of other ways to get on-demand videos such as AppleTV, Roku, Hulu Japan, and the list goes on; however, these devices are subscription or pay for view based. (Japan Today)

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