News On Japan

"Insuta-bae," or instagenic, and "sontaku," or acting for someone by guessing his or her intent, were selected in this year's top buzzwords in Japan on Friday. (Jiji)

While it’s become common knowledge that many Japanese talent agencies prohibit idol singers from dating, there are similar rules in place at some Japanese high schools. (rocketnews24.com)

Like many countries, Japan has an unwritten rule that those who are willing to ride an escalator by standing still should keep to one side, while people in a rush who want to climb the moving steps are allowed access on the other side. (rocketnews24.com)

A Japanese court has sentenced a former civilian worker at a US base in Okinawa, southern Japan, to life in prison for murdering a woman. (NHK)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Friday announced the arrest of a barman in the Roppongi entertainment area of Minato Ward for allegedly stealing a waste collection truck earlier this year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

The "sokui no rei" enthronement ceremonies for Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito are expected to take place in autumn 2019, about a half year after Emperor Akihito abdicates on April 30 and the Crown Prince accedes to the throne the following day, government sources said Saturday. (Jiji)

Shizuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a 38-year-old male member of a hip-hop group over the alleged possession of marijuana, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Inui Street in the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo was opened to the public on Saturday, in time for the autumn foliage season. (Jiji)

Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five men for allegedly confining a male acquaintance inside a vehicle before stealing his possessions, including more than 2 million yen, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

Japanese idol group AKB48's popularity is so phenomenal that it even has politicians lobbying for concerts in their country. The mega group isn't so hot in South Korea though, where their own idol group brands have gained international acclaim. (Japan Today)

After an intoxicated commuter tumbled onto railway tracks at JR Ebisu Station on Saturday, an elderly man pulled him away just before a train arrived, reports the Sankei Shimbun (tokyoreporter.com)

The Japan Coast Guard says as many as 28 wooden boats believed to be from the Korean Peninsula were spotted drifting off the Japanese coast or had run aground in November. It is the largest monthly figure since recordkeeping began 4 years ago. (NHK)

The U.N. General Assembly on Monday endorsed a Japanese antinuclear resolution by a wide margin, although fewer countries backed it than in previous years amid perceptions of backpedaling on disarmament. (Kyodo)

Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday that he did not discuss who will lead the central bank after his term expires in April. (Japan Times)

Japanese professional shogi player Yoshiharu Habu has become the first person ever to win lifetime titles in all 7 major title matches. (NHK)

"Manhole cards," an increasingly popular item for collectors and featuring pictures of manholes with unique local designs, are set to cover all 47 prefectures of Japan. (Jiji)

Tokyo prosecutors on Tuesday arrested the president of a tech venture known as one of the developers of the world's fourth-fastest supercomputer on suspicion of defrauding a governmental institution of 431 million yen in subsidies. (Japan Today)

Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa says he's willing to accept the central government's plan to decommission the trouble-prone Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor in the city of Tsuruga. (Japan Times)

Police in Chiba have arrested an unemployed 42-year-old woman for the second time in a month on suspicion of stalking the same man. (Japan Today)

The Japanese government is weighing a plan to equip fighter jets with long-range cruise missiles amid the North Korean nuclear and missile threat, starting with earmarking research costs in its fiscal 2018 budget plan, government sources said Tuesday. (Japan Today)

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