News On Japan

The Kobe District Court took steps Monday to force a former lawmaker famous for weeping hysterically at a news conference in 2014 to show up for his trial for swindling political funds. (Japan Times)

Police on Monday turned over to prosecutors their case against a man suspected of flying a drone in a crowded residential area without obtaining permission from the authorities. (Japan Times)

The Japanese government is launching a new certification program in an effort to crack down on poor-quality sushi made overseas, local media reports. (cnbc.com)

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are embarking on a 5-day tour of the Philippines, to mark 60 years since the normalization of diplomatic ties. (NHK)

Ford Motor is pulling out of Japan and Indonesia, saying that market conditions in each country have made it difficult to grow sales or make sustained profits. (cnbc.com)

Russia is inviting foreign partners to help it develop fisheries around Pacific islands where Moscow and Tokyo have rival territorial claims and says it will give Tokyo priority; but if it doesn't jump at the chance, other investors will. (Reuters)

Japan's government has chosen 44 municipalities for its "host town" program to promote exchange with countries taking part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. (NHK)

Japan is set to be home to the largest floating solar power plant in the world when construction is complete of an installation on the Yamakura Dam reservoir in Chiba Prefecture. (insidejapantours.com)

Water supplies were disrupted on Tuesday in a wide area of southwestern Japan due to a powerful cold wave that ruptured water pipes. (Jiji Press)

Tokyo Metropolitan police have arrested musician for engaging in illicit acts with an underage girl at an orgy in Shinjuku Ward, reports Fuji News Network. (Tokyo Reporter)

The Japan Tourism Agency is hoping to reduce traffic congestion caused by a growing number of sightseeing buses taking tourists on shopping sprees. (Japan Times)

Following the announcement of a new album in the works, Radiohead has been confirmed as one of this year's Summer Sonic headliners. (Japan Times)

A ruling by the Fukuoka High Court acquitting a man of the rape of a teenage girl in 2012 was finalized Wednesday after prosecutors did not appeal it. (Japan Times)

Toyota Motor Corp. said Jan. 27 that it sold 10.151 million vehicles in 2015, retaining its status as the world's top-selling automaker for the fourth straight year. (Asahi)

More than 70 years after striking fear into the hearts of Allied pilots, a restored Zero fighter took to the skies in southern Japan on Wednesday. (rawstory.com)

Japan is home to a lot of martial arts, many of which John can not physically do. However, there's one he can - SPOCHAN! It uses air swords and doesn't require a big financial investment. Basically, that means not only will you survive a blow from a sword, you can dish them out without being arrested. (ONLY in JAPAN)

US fighter jets and stealth fighter jets have been deployed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, since Monday. Local residents strongly oppose their presence because of the noise. (NHK)

A computer program developed by an artificial intelligence venture under Google Inc. has defeated a professional player of go, considered the most intricate board game, for the first time, according to a study published in the British science journal Nature on Wednesday. (Kyodo)

A nonpartisan group of Japanese lawmakers is set to start working on legislation to eliminate discrimination against sexual minorities. (NHK)

Osaka District Court skirted a constitutional judgment Thursday over a claim that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo in December 2013 violates the separation of religion and politics and the people's right to live in peace. (Jiji Press)

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