News On Japan

A remote Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean has grown more than 10 times in size since an underwater eruption started about one year ago. (NHK)

Fukushima prefectural health officials say that four children have been diagnosed with possible thyroid cancer after a health check. (Japan Today)

McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) said it will resume sales of its mid- and large-size French fries from Jan. 5, 2015. (Asahi)

The breakthrough type of pluripotent cells known as STAP claimed to have been created by a group of scandal-hit scientists was most likely produced by introducing embryonic stem (ES) cells into the production process, an investigative panel concluded on Dec. 26. (Asahi)

The number of influenza patients across Japan reached a an estimated 720,000 in the week through Sunday, more than doubling form the previous week, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases said Friday. (Jiji Press)

Japan's government has compiled measures aimed at reviving the nation's regional communities. (NHK)

The Tokyo metropolitan government announced Thursday a plan to establish "English village" facilities for primary, middle and high school students to experience life through communication entirely in English, in a waterfront area where athletic facilities and the Olympic Village will be concentrated at the time of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. (The Japan News)

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's tax panel plans to cut Japan's corporate tax rate by more than 3 percentage points in fiscal 2015 and 2016, lawmakers said Friday. (Kyodo)

A 26-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder over an attack earlier this month on an elderly couple at their home in Maebashi, police said on the day. (The Japan News)

The environment ministry says that Japanese cypress and cedar pollen levels predicted for spring 2015 are expected to be much higher than they were in 2014. (Japan Today)

With 4 days left until the New Year, department stores in Tokyo are preparing bargain "lucky bags" to sell during the New Year holidays. (NHK)

Police in Konan City, Kochi Prefecture, have arrested a 27-year-old woman and her 23-year-old female friend over the death of the woman's 3-year-old daughter by suffocation. (Japan Today)

When you get to be as big a company as Toyota, you can afford to go out and get A-list talent for your commercials. (rocketnews24.com)

Embattled Japan coach Javier Aguirre on Saturday vehemently protested his innocence over match-fixing charges that have been leveled at him in Spain. (Kyodo)

The Japanese government has approved an economic stimulus package worth 3.5 trillion yen, or about 29 billion dollars. (NHK)

The annual New Year's exodus began Saturday as travelers packed airports and railway stations to head for their hometowns or other places to spend the holidays. (Japan Times)

Japanese and Chinese officials agreed Sunday to step up cooperation on energy-saving and environmental measures during a major governmental meeting, the first since their leaders held talks last month. (Kyodo)

Japan and China held their environmental forum for the first time in two years, in Beijing on Sunday. (Jiji Press)

Japan's government has lifted all evacuation advisories for so-called hot spots with high radiation levels in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. (NHK)

A 67-year-old woman died after her car went off a rooftop car park in Fuchu, Tokyo, on Sunday. (Japan Today)

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