News On Japan

In the wake of the suspicious crash of a Germanwings jet, the transport ministry is moving quickly to require all Japanese airlines to have two crew members in the cockpit at all times during flights. (Asahi)

An appealingly playful polar bear has become a major attraction at a zoo in Kushiro, Hokkaido, where onlookers delight in seeing the animal rear up on her hind legs. (Japan Times)

Japan on Tuesday ruled out any immediate plan to join the Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), categorically denying a news report that its ambassador to China said Tokyo is likely to take part. (Japan Today)

Embattled Tokyo Electric Power Co. pledged to disclose all data on radiation levels at its stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant after it was taken to task for delaying by nearly a year in reporting the state of contaminated rainwater. (Asahi)

Officials at an aquarium in Tokyo have resumed operation of a tuna exhibit after a mysterious mass-dying of the species since December. (NHK)

Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, became on Tuesday the nation's first municipality to adopt an ordinance allowing it to issue certificates recognizing same-sex relationships as being "equivalent to marriage." (Japan Times)

Prospects for legalising casino gambling in Japan have suffered another blow as proponents said they would delay a bill allowing "integrated resorts", as the ruling coalition remains divided on the controversial measure. (Japan Today)

Japan's government has decided to extend sanctions on North Korea by 2 years. They were originally set to expire on April 13th. (NHK)

New figures by the Japan Tourism Agency have highlighted that the number of overnight guests in Japan rose to a record high in 2014. (insidejapantours.com)

The Japanese government chose not to join a planned Chinese-led Asian development bank by Tuesday's deadline set by China for accepting founding members for the new institution. (Kyodo)

Public prosecutors demanded Tuesday that former Aum Supreme Truth cult member Katsuya Takahashi, 56, be sentenced to life in prison for his roles in the 1995 deadly sarin nerve gas attack on Tokyo's subway system and other crimes by the doomsday cult. (The Japan News)

Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, has been demoted for being too fat. (Japan Today)

Police have arrested a 68-year-old man for scattering dozens of thumb tacks throughout the grounds of a park in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. (Japan Today)

Chinese visitors are expected to engage in massive buying in Japan during the cherry blossom season through early April, after a similar spree during the Chinese New Year holidays in February. (The Japan News)

Three employees of a nursing home in Nagoya have been arrested on suspicion of physically abusing a 93-year-old female resident and taking a video of their act with a mobile phone, police have said. (Japan Times)

'Omotenashi', the spirit of Japanese hospitality, became something of a buzzword at home and abroad when Christel Takigawa used the phrase in her speech to the International Olympic Committee in 2013. (rocketnews24.com)

The world's oldest person, Misao Okawa, died in Japan on Wednesday, a month after celebrating her 117th birthday. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of a 32-year-old male company employee for engaging in illicit acts with three minors, reports Nippon News Network (Tokyo Reporter)

Jingu stadiums, the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and other sports facilities in Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Gaien district, where numerous historic matches have been held, are scheduled to be rebuilt after repeated land swaps, according to sources. (The Japan News)

Many companies held entrance ceremonies for new employees nationwide on Wednesday. (The Japan News)

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