News On Japan

SoftBank Corp will soon downsize its Silicon Valley offices, people with knowledge of the matter said, signaling the company won't revive efforts to buy T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (Japan Today)

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. and its banking arm Mizuho Bank have decided to equip all of about 23,000 employees in the nation with tablet computers by autumn 2015. (The Japan News)

The recent decision by the Bank of Japan to increase the scope of its quantitative easing is a signal that another round of currency wars may be under way. (gulfnews.com)

To spare staff and diners from the "severe emotional trauma" of being surrounded by lovey dovey couples flaunting their love in the faces of lonely singletons, a restaurant in Japan has banned all couples on Christmas Eve - "with no exceptions!" (therakyatpost.com)

The Climate Action Network, which comprises environmental nongovernmental organizations worldwide, on Thursday selected Japan for a "Pending" Ray of the Day award for its efforts to curb global warming. (The Japan News)

Documents stolen from Sony Corp. by hackers include detailed and identifiable health information on more than three dozen employees, their children or spouses - a sign of how much information employers have on their workers and how easily it can become public. (Japan Times)

From relative obscurity only two years ago, to doing various concerts around the world in 2014, the presence of BABYMETAL has been sudden, if not shocking. (Japan Today)

Trade officials from countries belonging to the World Trade Organization have postponed a deal to eliminate tariffs on high-technology products. (NHK)

This village deep in the rugged mountains of southern Japan once was home to hundreds of families. Now, only 35 people remain, outnumbered three-to-one by scarecrows that Tsukimi Ayano crafted to help fill the days and replace neighbours who died or moved away. (leaderpost.com)

When "Rachel Halle" traveled to Japan for an exchange year, she expected a lot of things from her visit; Japan is a culturally rich, diverse nation with a great deal to offer to exchange students seeking to learn about Japanese history and culture. (care2.com)

South Korea said on Friday that it had no intention of sharing some of its 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games with its historic rival Japan, rejecting an International Olympic Committee suggestion for cost-cutting. (nytimes.com)

Police in Higashiyamato, Tokyo, on Saturday arrested a 72-year-old woman for killing her 54-year-old bedridden son. (Japan Today)

A government climate impact study has shown that average annual snowfalls in areas such as Niigata Prefecture will decrease more than one meter at the end of this century from the current rate if no steps are taken against global warming. (The Japan News)

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency is urging elderly people to be careful when they clear snow from their roofs, following a number of fatalities in northern Japan. (Japan Today)

Voting has started throughout Japan in the Lower House election. 1191 candidates are vying for 475 seats. (NHK)

Heavy snow caused a power outage along parts of the Joetsu Shinkansen Line for about six hours on Sunday morning, leaving some 300 passengers trapped in a bullet train for 2½ hours near the mountainous southern border of Niigata Prefecture. (Japan Times)

A member of the Japanese national men's volleyball team has been arrested for theft. (Japan Today)

Model and TV personality Rola, 24, is this year's TV commercial queen, having appeared in ads for 14 companies, broadcast monitoring company Nihon Monitor said on its website Friday. (Japan Today)