News On Japan

Officials at Japan's Meteorological Agency say they will step up monitoring of volcanos around the country following last September's eruption of Mount Ontake. The eruption left 63 people dead or missing. (NHK)

Nine people have choked to death in Japan after eating traditional glutinous "mochi" rice cakes to celebrate the New Year, an official and local media said Sunday. (Japan Today)

The National Police Agency said Friday that the death toll from traffic accidents in the Tokyo metropolitan area in 2014 was 172, which was four more than in 2013. (Japan Today)

People in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama have taken a dip in the ocean as a way to wish for good health throughout the year. (NHK)

Ginza, Tokyo's posh shopping and entertainment district, has delighted visitors for over a century with high-end shops selling everything from jewelry and clothing to sweets and stationery. (Japan Times)

A linguistic loophole of sorts has been allowing some products produced in China to be labeled in English as "Made in P.R.C." (rocketnews24.com)

Spectators have enjoyed a performance of an ancient ball-kicking game called kemari at a shrine in Kyoto. (NHK)

A giant bluefin tuna sold for 30% less than the sum paid last year at the Tsukiji market's first auction of the year in Tokyo on Monday. (Japan Today)

Tokyo stocks edged down for a third straight decline on Monday, the first trading day of 2015, as investors remained reluctant to take risks amid political uncertainty in Greece. (Kyodo)

Police in Wakayama City said Monday they have arrested a 71-year-old man for attempted murder after he set fire to a car with his 40-year-old son in it. (Japan Today)

The number of deaths from traffic accidents in Japan in 2014 came to 4,113, the third lowest since records began in 1948 and less than a quarter of the peak of 16,765 in 1970, National Police Agency data revealed Monday. (Jiji Press)

Panasonic Corp. plans to transfer most of its home appliance production back to Japan starting in spring due to a weaker yen and a jump in labor costs abroad, according to the company. (The Japan News)

Uniqlo clothing chain operator Fast Retailing Co. has decided to introduce a new personnel evaluation system in fiscal 2015 to make it easier for female employees working shortened hours to move up the corporate ladder, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. (The Japan News)

Veteran rock group Southern All Stars will release their 15th original album and their first in almost 10 years, since "Killer Street," on March 31. (Japan Today)

The Tokyo metropolitan government has decided that the Athletes' Village for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be made into a "hydrogen town" where electricity and hot water are supplied through hydrogen energy, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. (The Japan News)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to have its probe Akatsuki reattempt an entry into the orbit of Venus in early December, probably its last chance due to low fuel, following a failed endeavor to do so in December 2010 because of engine trouble. (The Japan News)

To reduce damage expected to be caused by flooding, drought and other consequences of climate change in developing countries, $500 billion (around 60 trillion yen) will be necessary at the maximum a year by 2050, according to an estimate by the U.N. Environment Program. (Kyodo)

Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui says he wants to prove that age is not a barrier to taking on new challenges. (NHK)

Japan will likely provide less official development assistance in fiscal 2015 than in fiscal 2014 due to the weakening yen, raising concerns that the country may lose some influence in the international arena. (Nikkei)

Fresh off a decisive victory in last month's lower house election, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government are expected to tackle job market reform. But revamping Japan's rigid employment system will require drastic steps, such as changing the way corporate jobs are structured. (Nikkei)

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