News On Japan

Police in Inagi, Tokyo, are questioning an unemployed 26-year-old man on suspicion of setting fire to at least 24 vending machines in the area this year. (Japan Today)

Japan's Nikkei share average dropped to a one-week low on Wednesday as an overnight fall in US shares triggered profit-taking after the index scaled a 15-year peak earlier in the week. (thehindubusinessline.com)

A Japanese recognized as the world's oldest woman by Guinness World Records is celebrating a day before her 117th birthday on Thursday. (NHK)

The first ladies of the United States and Japan are planning to discuss boosting girls' education around the world. Michelle Obama will visit Japan later this month. (NHK)

The Fukuoka District Court has awarded 200 million yen in damages to a 29-year-old man who was paralyzed in a school sports day accident in 2003. (Japan Today)

The government will establish a public-private council by the end of March to help struggling gas stations operating in thinly populated areas. (The Japan News)

China has announced it will enhance defense spending by around 10 percent this year. The announcement signals competitive defense spending as it comes at a time when hitherto pacifist Japan has declared a record 2.8 per cent in military expenditure. (indiatimes.com)

Daisuke Matsuzaka made the first start of his comeback in Japan on Wednesday, returning to the scene of one of his most memorable pitching performances. (espn.go.com)

Shimizu Corp., a leading construction firm, unveiled to the press on Wednesday its new, advanced research laboratory on earthquake and disaster prevention at its research institute in Koto Ward, Tokyo, featuring a large state-of-the-art shaking table - a platform that can reproduce the vibrations of any major earthquake ever recorded, including the Great Hanshin Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake. (The Japan News)

Japan's idol world is quite…expansive, for lack of a better word. Even with the wide variety of groups running around, it can be hard to really tell them apart-though we have to say there was no mistaking Osaka's Obachaaan for any other group. (rocketnews24.com)

It has emerged that the number of Japanese stores offering tax-free products to tourists has risen by 60 per cent over the last months, according to Nikkei Asian Review. (insidejapantours.com)

While online smartphone games are all the rage, a new board game in designing a traditional Japanese-style rock garden is showing there is still a market for old-fashioned fun. (Asahi)

A report released Wednesday by the International Narcotics Control Board revealed that Mexican drug cartels have extended their reach to Japan, where methamphetamine seizures have doubled compared to the previous year. (UPI)

A global framework for trademark registration will be changed to permit the use of Chinese and Japanese characters, making it easier to protect Japan's brands as its culture takes off in Asia and beyond. (Nikkei)

Ex-Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic has agreed to manage Japan, Japan Football Association President Kuniya Daini said Wednesday. (Kyodo)

Two pedestrians were killed Thursday morning after a minivan crashed into a car at an intersection in Higashi-Osaka. (Japan Today)

Tokyo stocks ended 0.26 percent higher Thursday as investors awaited an upcoming policy meeting of the European Central Bank and a report on the U.S. labor market. (Xinhua)

A total of 706 incidents linked to "dangerous," or quasi-legal, drugs were detected by police in Japan in 2014, up 5.6-fold from the preceding year, the National Police Agency said Thursday. (Jiji Press)

The Japanese government has condemned the attack on the US ambassador in South Korea, calling it an unforgivable act. (NHK)

The Tokyo District Court on Thursday convicted the father of TV "talent" and model Rola for defrauding Japan's national health insurance system. (Japan Today)

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