News On Japan

The Japanese government resumed the construction of helipads for the U.S. military in Okinawa on Friday despite local protests, in preparation for the return to Japan of part of a large training area in the island prefecture. (Japan Today)

"Pokemon Go" was launched in Japan on Friday. The government is warning players of the global hit game to be careful to avoid accidents. (NHK)

Smartphone game "Pokemon Go" made its debut in Japan on Friday morning. The app - which was distributed in Western markets prior to its release in Japan and surged in popularity - is also likely to be a big hit in the country that gave life to Pokemon. (the-japan-news.com)

The Japanese land ministry has decided to set up a program to allow vacant homes across Japan to be rented out to older people and low-income child-rearing families, informed sources said Friday. (Jiji Press)

Japanese researchers say 3 pairs of an endangered bird species have successfully hatched chicks in artificial nests for the first time. (NHK)

The world's major economies need to deepen cooperation on tax collection as companies seek to minimise the amount they pay to governments, finance ministers said Saturday. (Japan Today)

A traditional summer festival featuring samurai on horseback began in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture. (NHK)

Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party has regained a majority in the Upper House for the first time in 27 years. (NHK)

Harumafuji defeated fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho on Sunday to win the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament and seize his eighth career championship. (Japan Times)

The Japanese government will defer planned housing-related gift tax breaks, in line with its decision to delay a consumption tax hike from 8 pct to 10 pct for 30 months until October 2019, informed sources have said. (Jiji Press)

Police in Gifu Prefecture in central Japan found a man walking along an expressway, having lost his way while playing the smartphone game "Pokemon Go." (NHK)

Japanese companies are increasingly showing support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers and employees amid growing recognition of LGBT rights across the country. (Japan Today)

The government is stepping up efforts with the United States and South Korea to urge countries that accept workers from North Korea to stop in order to cut off financing to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development programs, sources close to the matter said. (Japan Times)

The clunky videocassette recorder is going the way of floppy disks, eight-track tapes and camera film as the world's last manufacturer ends production of the once booming home-video technology. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police suspect that a officer committed suicide on Sunday by jumping from a police station building in Shibuya Ward, reports Nippon News Network (July 24). (Tokyo Reporter)

Since the lifting of an off-base ban on alcohol last month, Okinawa Prefectural Police have arrested a second U.S. serviceman for drunk driving, reports TBS News. (Tokyo Reporter)

A memorial ceremony was held in Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Sunday to mark the 100th day after a series of powerful earthquakes heavily damaged the town and surrounding areas in southwestern Japan. (Jiji Press)

Organizers held a ceremony on Sunday to mark four years to go before Tokyo hosts the 2020 Olympics. (Japan Today)

Hundreds of Pokemon Go players have been flocking to a park here since Saturday night, dubbing the hotspot "sacred ground" due to the resemblance one of the park's features has with a key part of the game. (Tokyo Reporter)

Japan posted a goods trade surplus for a half-year period in January to June for the first time since a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the country in March 2011, due mainly to a plunge in the value of imports on the back of declining crude oil prices, the government said Monday. (Kyodo)

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