News On Japan

A digitally produced replica of a famed 10-meter-wide ink painting of a dragon emerging from a raging sea is on display at Tenryuji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto's Ukyo Ward. (Asahi)

Japan's Nikkei share average hit a fresh 15-year high on Friday in choppy trade and gained for a sixth week on expectations for better shareholder returns, but Nintendo Co dived on profit-taking after soaring for two days. (Economic Times)

Terunofuji sentenced Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho to a shock first defeat at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday to keep his title hopes alive with two days of the 15-day basho remaining. (Japan Times)

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama was treated to a serene classical Noh performance and then tried her hand at the taiko drums as she wrapped up a visit to Japan on Friday with a taste of traditional culture in Kyoto. (Japan Today)

A memorial service was held at a Tokyo subway station on Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the sarin gas attacks by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. (NHK)

Japan's ruling parties on Friday agreed on a basic policy for planned security legislation that would significantly expand the scope of Self-Defense Forces operations overseas. (Jiji Press)

A court in central Japan has ruled that last December's general election was held in a state of unconstitutionality due to the disparity in the value of votes between densely and sparsely populated areas. (NHK)

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will push for an early end to the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during his upcoming trip to Japan, as part of a drive toward greater economic integration within the Asia-Pacific. (Nikkei)

The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry announced on Thursday that it will double surcharges based on the government's feed-in tariff program in fiscal 2015 for the purpose of broadening adoption of renewable energy. (The Japan News)

Police in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, said Friday they have arrested an unemployed 36-year-old man on suspicion of fatally stabbing his 64-year-old father at their home. (Japan Today)

China on Friday called on Japan to take a trilateral meeting in Seoul as an opportunity to address history issues that have impeded relations with its Asian neighbors. (Kyodo)

When Yoshitaka Shindo was a boy, he did not hear much from his family about his grandfather Tadamichi Kuribayashi, commander of the Japanese troops who fought and died in the bloody battle of Iwo Jima. (Japan Today)

Police in Saitama said Saturday they have arrested a 65-year-old woman on suspicion of fatally stabbing her 15-month-old grandson. (Japan Today)

An unknown assailant shot an organized crime boss early Saturday morning in Fujisawa City, reports public broadcaster NHK (March 21). (Tokyo Reporter)

The Japanese, Chinese and South Korean foreign ministers agreed on realizing a summit meeting of the three countries' top leaders at an early date during their first trilateral talks in about three years in Seoul on Saturday. (The Japan News)

NHK has learned that the founder of the Aum Shinrikyo cult had suggested in prison that he conspired with his followers to carry out the sarin gas attack in Tokyo 20 years ago. (NHK)

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, 72, has announced on his official website that he will be returning to the Budokan for a special performance on April 28 as part of his "Out There Japan" tour. (Japan Today)

The Emperor and Empress have expressed congratulations to recipients of the 43rd Yomiuri Awards for Medical Dedication at the Imperial Palace. (The Japan News)

East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, on Saturday fully resumed the train service on the JR Ishinomaki Line, which was heavily damaged by massive tsunami caused by the March 2011 earthquake. (Jiji Press)

Kanagawa Prefectural Police on Sunday announced the arrest of an organized crime member in the shooting of a boss of a rival gang in Fujisawa City the day before, reports TBS News (Tokyo Reporter)

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