News On Japan

Japan will step up its search for methane hydrate in fiscal 2015, expanding both seabed and drilling surveys toward a goal of commercializing the energy source as early as 2023. (Nikkei)

The long-awaited world's first One Piece amusement park will be arriving on March 13 2015 in Tokyo! (rocketnews24.com)

Nissan Motor will release two new electric vehicles and add a hybrid version of its mainstay compact as early as fiscal 2016, aiming to broaden its selection of environmentally friendly vehicles. (Nikkei)

Low-cost carrier Peach Aviation is looking to add more hubs, possibly choosing from among airports serving Seoul, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. (Nikkei)

The world marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II this year, and at home Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is crafting a statement on the Japanese government's views on the war to be issued on Aug. 15, the day when Emperor Hirohito announced the nation's unconditional surrender in 1945. (Japan Times)

Police said three suspicious fires were reported Thursday night and early Friday morning in Saitama Prefecture. (Japan Today)

Even amid sluggish domestic consumption, major Tokyo department stores pulled in plenty of bargain hunters with their New Year's sales. (Nikkei)

Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Fumihito, made her debut at an annual New Year's greeting event held for the public at the Imperial Palace on Jan. 2. (Asahi)

Police arrested three Indians for allegedly gang raping a 22-year-old Japanese research scholar near a Buddhist pilgrimage center in eastern India, police said Friday. (AP)

Early risers visiting a town in central Japan have been treated to the spectacle of a dazzling sun rising from behind the peak of Mount Fuji. (NHK)

Police in Yokohama have arrested a 22-year-old man for stabbing his parents at their home on Friday afternoon. (Japan Today)

The increasing damage done by wild animals to agriculture in Japan has prompted the government to encourage the hunting of wild animals for food, or dishes of "gibier" wild game. (Jiji Press)

Archers in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, fired their first arrows of 2015 on Saturday at a New Year's event to pray for improved skills. (NHK)

People across Japan are returning home after visiting family or taking vacations during the New Year holidays. Trains and planes are crowded on Saturday as the holidays draw to a close. (NHK)

Police said Saturday said that a 34-year-old police officer has been arrested for robbing the apartment of a woman in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture. (Japan Today)

The Japanese government is expected to execute bilateral civil air transportation agreements with Cambodia and Laos later this month. Tokyo hopes the agreements will increase visitor traffic from the two countries as well as promote investment and trade. (Nikkei)

Japan Business Federation chairman Sadayuki Sakakibara has expressed his confidence that the country's economy will grow beyond expectations in 2015. (smetimes.in)

Japan's apparel industry will place a special tag on "genuine" Japan-made clothing to promote items using the high skills of workers in the country amid fierce competition with cheaper Chinese-made products, the industry sources said Saturday. (Kyodo)

The first blowfish auction of 2015 has been held in western Japan. (NHK)

Rescue personnel on Sunday found three snowboarders who had been missing at Kagura Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, since Friday. (Japan Today)

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