News On Japan

A team of Japanese researchers has found a new drug combination that reduces amyloid beta protein, believed to play a key role in causing Alzheimer’s disease, by using stem cells derived from patients, Kyoto University announced Tuesday. (Japan Times)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police are searching have arrested eight persons, including an organized crime member, in the robbery of gold valued at nearly 100 million yen from a shop in Taito Ward earlier this year, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

The Japanese Olympic Committee and city of Sapporo announced Wednesday they will enter a dialogue process over a potential bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Japan Today)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 39-year-old man for molesting a woman inside a carriage of the JR Saikyo Line last year, reports Nippon News Network. (tokyoreporter.com)

Mobile carrier KDDI Corp. will wholly acquire Aeon Corp., the nation’s second-largest English conversation school operator, in January in a step to expand its business into the education field. (Japan Times)

Osaka City, western Japan, is to cut its sister city ties with San Francisco, following the US city's decision to accept the donation of a statue symbolizing those referred to as comfort women. (NHK)

Police in Japan's northeastern prefecture of Akita say they have found 8 men of undetermined nationality and a wooden boat washed ashore. Police say the men claim to have come from North Korea. (NHK)

At the opening of the documentary "Boys For Sale," a look at the underside of the trade in young boys in the 2-chome gay quarter of Shinjuku Ward, a former male prostitute, says, "I guess if you'd never experienced this, it would be hard to understand." (tokyoreporter.com)

Japan appeals to different people for different reasons. Some visit for the history or the food. Many stay for the martial arts, while others keep coming back for a dose of manga, anime and video-game culture. Still others come to enjoy the land — the huge span of scenery from the north of Hokkaido to Okinawa in the southwest, and the sharp changes such places undergo with the revolutions of season. (Japan Times)

Senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are in disagreement over whether same-sex partners of state guests should be invited to banquets hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. (Japan Times)

Japanese scientists plan an experiment to gauge the effect of gravity on time. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested nine persons, including organized crime members, over an extortion racket allegedly carried out in the Akasaka entertainment area of Minato Ward, reports NHK (tokyoreporter.com)

Japanese aviation authorities say a faulty air traffic control system temporarily prevented aircraft from entering airspace around Hokkaido, northern Japan on Friday night. (NHK)

A Newsweek story that apparently misinterpreted the results of an opinion poll carried out by a Japanese news agency last week is creating a public stir. (Japan Times)

The president of Mitsubishi Materials has apologized for falsification of inspection data at 2 of its subsidiaries. (NHK)

The Japanese government has come up with measures to support domestic farmers and food makers who are facing increased competition from European rivals. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested boss in an organized crime group for the possession of a firearm and ammunition at his residence in Soka City, reports TBS News (tokyoreporter.com)

Railway fans have gathered in western Japan to see a steam locomotive get chugging again for the first time in 44 years. (NHK)

A new sports facility has opened in Tokyo's Chofu City. (NHK)

Two Japanese snowboarders banned last year after being found guilty of puffing marijuana could be cleared to compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics, ski officials said Friday. (Japan Today)

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