News On Japan

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said Monday that Japan's economy is recovering moderately, though its exports and production have been affected by the slowing of emerging economies including China. (Kyodo)

A minimum of 27,000 beef cutlets that should have been disposed out of fear they could include foreign objects were apparently sold to consumers. (Japan Times)

About 7,500 lit bamboo lanterns form the date "1.17" and the kanji characters for "mirai" (future) at the Higashi Yuenchi amusument park in Chuo Ward, Kobe, early Sunday morning, the 21st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. (the-japan-news.com)

A key index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dipped below 17,000 points on Monday for the first time since last September. (NHK)

Heavy snow fell in parts of eastern and northeastern Japan early Monday, with snowfall reaching 6 centimeters in downtown Tokyo, resulting in injuries to more than 100 people and disruptions to transport. (Japan Today)

The Liberal Democratic Party has decided not to seek passage of a bill to legalize casino operations during this Diet session because coalition partner Komeito remains cautious on gambling. (Japan Times)

The number of foreign passengers on international flights using Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture topped 10 million in 2015 for the first time since it opened in 1994. (Japan Times)

SMAP, one of the most popular and longest-lived Japanese pop groups, pledged to continue as a group Monday, days after media reports that they were on the verge of breaking up, as grieving of fans in Japan and other Asian countries apparently moved them. (Kyodo)

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2015 reached 19.74 million and these travelers spent an estimated 3.48 trillion yen ($29.6 billion), both hitting new record highs, the Japan Tourism Agency said Tuesday. (Kyodo)

Yasutaro Koide, a former tailor recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living man on earth, died at the age of 112 of chronic heart failure at a hospital in Nagoya, central Japan, in the early hours of Tuesday, his relatives said. (Kyodo)

People along a vast stretch of western and northern Japan are feeling the effects of extreme winter weather. Biting winds and heavy snow have hit many areas. (NHK)

In Japan, the 10-year relative cancer survival rate is at 58.2 pct and five-year rate at 63.1 pct, the National Cancer Center said Wednesday. (Jiji Press)

A recent survey by National Institute of Infectious Diseases shows that a total of 66 people suffered from an unidentified paralysis between Aug. 1 and Dec. 3 last year, Asahi Shimbun daily said on Wednesday. (Japan Times)

Fukuoka Prefectural Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of a nude corpse in front of a karaoke box in Itoshima City, reports TV Asahi. (Tokyo Reporter)

Otago Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has agreed to take over as Japan coach at the end of the Super Rugby champions' 2016 season, the Dunedin-based team said on Jan. 21. (Asahi)

Chinese tour groups can often be seen following guides clutching red flags in Japanese shopping districts, but organized tours may be losing their allure as travelers set out to go it alone. (Japan Times)

Economic and fiscal policy minister Akira Amari vowed on Wednesday night to answer accusations of graft leveled against him by a weekly tabloid. (Japan Times)

A tour bus with 30 people aboard crashed into a center divider and a traffic light pole on a street in central Tokyo on Wednesday, injuring 24 passengers, police said. (Japan Times)

A man in his 30s attempting to evade a groping accusation suffered severe injuries after he leaped from a train platform and was hit by a train at JR Shimbashi Station, reports the Sankei Shimbun. (Tokyo Reporter)

Tokyo stocks plunged more than 2 percent Thursday, finishing at a 15-month low as a continuing rout due to sliding oil prices and concerns about the Chinese economy rattled investors. (Kyodo)

Latest Images