Thursday 9 May 2013

Draft plan for national security council drawn up

A plan has been drafted to set up a national security council for the prime minister where four Cabinet ministers will meet to share top ...

Politicians open debate on Article 96

The ruling and opposition camps open their first talks on revising Article 96 of the Constitution amid opposing views on whether amending the supreme code ...

Taisei designer found guilty in fatal 2007 spa explosion in Shibuya

Six years after a deadly explosion ripped through a spa in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district, the facility's chief designer is found guilty of negligence.

Sony posts first net profit in five years in restructuring push

Struggling Sony books its first annual net profit in five years after restructuring offers a glimmer of hope for the once-iconic electronics giant.

Pakistani minorities leery of democracy

In majority Muslim Pakistan, religious minorities say democracy is killing them. Intolerance has been on the rise for the past five years under Pakistan's democratically elected ...

JR to operate upscale restaurant train featuring Tohoku delicacies, design

East Japan Railway Co. plans to operate an upscale restaurant train in the northeast this fall to promote delicacies and interior design themes native to ...

Kawaguchi axed from Upper House panel

Former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi is ousted as chairwoman of the Upper House Environment Committee as the opposition warms up for the election.

Mazda, back in black, will replace chief

Mazda Motor Corp., which relies on exports more than any other Japanese carmaker, said Thursday that Takashi Yamanouchi will step down as president next month ...

Euro exit by Germany would be a big mistake

Politically it would be a big mistake for Germany to exit the eurozone, because doing so would jeopardize the greatest success story of the postwar ...

A shaky win for Mr. Najib

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his ruling coalition have prevailed again in a Malaysian election, but will his shrinking majority enable him to ...

Vicissitudes of health care

We sometimes forget how lucky we are to have access to today's health care, compared to that of even a century ago, but there is ...

Ideas to trump names on TEDxTokyo stage

TEDxTokyo is set to kick off its fifth annual event on May 11 at Hikarie Hall in Shibuya Ward, featuring a bevy of talented speakers, ...

You don’t need to be a pro to enjoy tasting and pairing sake

For those new to sake, learning to distinguish the subtle nuances in the flavor of various brews can feel like a daunting task. When evaluating ...

Chains that bring local dishes to you

Thanks to Japan's comprehensive network of bullet trains and regional airports, it's easy for the culinary adventurer to sample local specialties at their point of ...

Hawke film exploits the gruesome myth of snuff

In "Sinister," the new horror movie starring Ethan Hawke, a man explores the attic of his new home and finds a box of old Super ...

‘Chugakusei Maruyama (Maruyama, the Middle Schooler)’

Acclaimed as a comic genius in Japan, actor/scriptwriter/director Kankuro Kudo has been slower to find recognition abroad. His brand of hyperactive comedy, with its machine-gun ...

‘Sinister’

Horror — like porn and Adam Sandler movies — is one of those divisive film genres that people tend to either obsess over or avoid ...

‘God Save My Shoes’

The Why is missing from the How in "God Save My Shoes," a documentary focusing on the female obsession for footwear. But the package is ...

‘Eames: The Architect and the Painter’

Produced by Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey (there is no director credit), documentary "Eames: The Architect and the Painter" examines Charles and Ray Eames, one ...

Wild pitch in 11th carries Marines to eighth straight win

Takashi Ogino had the chance to be the hero with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 11th inning. It would've ...

Yokohama, Toyama set to battle for spot in Final Four

The Eastern Conference semifinals start on Friday night, with the Yokohama B-Corsairs aiming for a repeat trip to the Final Four. The visiting Toyama Grouses, meanwhile, ...

Heat blow out Bulls, even series 1-1

For the first time in these playoffs, the Miami Heat were facing some real adversity. They responded with a technical knockout. After nine technical fouls, two ejections ...

Torres buries Phillies in 10th

Andres Torres lined a game-ending single to right field with two outs in the 10th inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 victory ...

Nadal advances at Madrid Open; Azarenka knocked out

Rafael Nadal made a comfortable start to his quest for a third Madrid Open title on Wednesday, but Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka slumped to ...