News On Japan

Sumo grand champion Harumafuji is likely to have lost his temper at the smartphone use by a junior wrestler he allegedly assaulted in late October, informed sources said Wednesday. (Jiji)

Japan's economy marked a seven-quarter growth run through September --- the longest in 16 years --- but the outlook appears less rosy, as surprisingly strong private consumption before this summer may prove to have been just a blip. (Japan Times)

Kyoto Prefectural Police have arrested a 20-year-old man after footage posted to social media showed him dangerously riding his motorcycle in Yawata City earlier this year, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Colorful autumn leaves are in their prime at a park in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, drawing many visitors. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police are seeking the help of the public in locating a man who molested a woman at an apartment building in Chuo Ward earlier this year, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

The Beaujolais Nouveau 2017 vintage went on sale in Japan on Thursday, but with people's tastes maturing, the traditional celebration of the French wine's seasonal release is on the decline. (Kyodo)

Happy Meal goodies even adults will want to get their hands on -- Uno, Game of Life, Pop-up Pirate and other games get the McDonald's treatment. (rocketnews24.com)

The Nagoya District Court on Tuesday handed five women, including four Korean nationals, suspended prison terms for the smuggling of 30 kilograms of gold into the country from Korea last year, reports Nippon News Network (tokyoreporter.com)

The government plans to actively promote stays at farming villages geared toward foreign tourists. Supportive measures to begin next fiscal year will include sponsoring skilled chefs to hold cooking classes at women’s clubs to enhance local cuisine, and other steps to attract foreigners interested Japanese food and culture. (the-japan-news.com)

Following the discovery of skeletal remains of a woman at a residence last month, Osaka Prefectural Police on Thursday arrested the former male resident of the unit in her murder around seven years ago, reports TV Asahi (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have begun a three-day trip to remote islands in southwestern Japan. (NHK)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has told the head of the US Pacific Command that Japan wants to closely work with the United States to enhance deterrence and response capabilities of the bilateral alliance. (NHK)

A 3-meter-tall countdown clock for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was unveiled Thursday in the Japanese capital's Ginza district. (Kyodo)

Japanese regional carrier Air Do becomes the latest airline struck by the global shortage of pilots, saying Thursday it has canceled 26 flights scheduled for February after already grounding 34 trips this month. (Nikkei)

Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui sought support for the western Japan prefecture's bid to host the 2025 World Exposition at a general meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on Wednesday. (Jiji)

Japan's government and ruling camp have started discussions on lowering salary deductions, mainly for high-paid employees, while raising basic deductions applied to all taxpayers, informed sources said Thursday. (Jiji)

Japan's health ministry has drastically relaxed its planned regulations on indoor smoking at restaurants after a plan to tolerate smoking only at small eateries and bars met with opposition from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, government sources said Thursday. (Kyodo)

Japan's Fair Trade Commission is investigating the local unit of the US vacation rental platform Airbnb on suspicion of violating the anti-monopoly law. (NHK)

Voice actress Hiromi Tsuru, known for her work on the “Anpanman” animation, died at a hospital in the capital on Thursday after she was found unconscious inside her vehicle, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Following the discovery of nine corpses in a residence in Zama City last month, Tokyo Metropolitan Police have reason to believe that a man in custody, who has admitted to taking the lives of the victims, plotted one additional killing, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

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