News On Japan

Selfie sticks have become ubiquitous at tourist sites across the globe, but western Japan is taking a stand against the gadget. (insidejapantours.com)

Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga on Monday criticized the Japanese government over a military base issue in the first speech on the topic to the U.N. Human Rights Council by an Okinawa governor. (Jiji Press)

The Shibuya branch of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has launched an investigation into an online death threat against former recording artist Agnes Chan. (Japan Today)

The popular anonymous online forum 4chan on Monday announced that it has been bought by the founder of hit Japanese-language message board 2channel. (Japan Today)

Hyogo Prefectural Police on Monday launched an investigation following the discovery of the nude body of a woman who had gone missing, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Sep. 21). (Tokyo Reporter)

Any hopes the Japan Rugby Football Union may have had of persuading Eddie Jones to change his mind about leaving Japan after the Rugby World Cup were dashed Monday with the news he had signed what is believed to be a two-year deal to coach the Cape Town-based Super Rugby side Stormers. (Japan Times)

National universities should double the quota for the so-called admission office (AO) exams and recommendation-based admissions (see below) to 30 percent of overall enrollment by the 2018 academic year, according to a reform plan compiled by an association comprising 86 institutions of higher learning. (The Japan News)

A 4-year-old girl drowned after she fell out of a boat into a river in Ryugasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Tuesday morning. (Japan Today)

Commercial land prices in Japan's three largest metropolitan areas rose 2.3 per cent in 12 months to June, extending gains as low interest rates spurred property acquisitions, a government survey showed. (scmp.com)

The Tokyo Stock Exchange will upgrade its trading system Thursday by introducing an even faster buying and selling mechanism to greatly increase its transaction capacity. (The Japan News)

A theater in Belgium has dropped a plagiarism legal case over the design of a logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (nzherald.co.nz)

If you've been on the train in Japan, you've likely seen the stickers and signs plastered everywhere around the priority seats asking people to make room for those who need and to turn off cell phones. (rocketnews24.com)

Princess Kako gave a speech in sign language at the opening ceremony Tuesday of a national high school sign language performance contest held in Yonago in Tottori Prefecture. (The Japan News)

The city of Kitakyushu in Japan's Fukuoka prefecture has sponsored a Thai television series, allowing it to be filmed in key locations in the city amid hopes of attracting tourists from Thailand, said the city's mayor. (Japan Today)

Nissan Motor Co CEO Carlos Ghosn said it would be difficult for an automaker to conceal internally an effort to falsify vehicle emissions data, such as has happened at Volkswagen AG. (Japan Today)

A ceremony was held Wednesday to mark the partial opening of the Thilawa special economic zone, a huge industrial complex being built near Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar. (Jiji Press)

The legislative body of San Francisco voted for a resolution Tuesday urging the city to establish a memorial for "comfort women," who were forced into prostitution for Japanese soldiers during the wartime. (Jiji Press)

Japan were unable to make it two Rugby World Cup wins in four days as they went down 45-10 to Scotland in Pool B at Kingsholm on Wednesday. (Japan Today)

A 105-year-old Japanese man established world records in the 100 meters and the shot put at a "Masters" athletic meet held in Kyoto Wednesday. (Jiji Press)

A transport ministry official was arrested along with another person on bribery charges on Wednesday. (The Japan News)

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