Sunday 23 November 2014

Magnitude-6.7 quake injures at least 41 in Nagano

The powerful earthquake that struck Nagano Prefecture and surrounding areas this weekend injured at least 39 people, seven of them severely, local authorities say.

Japan sanctioning mass ‘slave labor’ by duping foreign trainees, observers say

The first word En learned when he began working at a construction site in Japan after moving from China was “baka,” Japanese for “idiot.” The ...

Sagging yen saps South Korean export muscle

As Japan slips into recession, South Korea is keeping an increasingly wary eye on its export rival’s free-falling currency, which is honing a lasting competitive ...

Foreign workers in demand amid tourism surge

Demand for foreign workers has been strong in Japan over the past few years as the number of foreign tourists rises and an increasing number ...

Abe vows to slash corporate tax, primary budget deficit

Despite delaying the consumption tax hike, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he will stick with plans to begin lowering the effective corporate tax rate in ...

Kepco weights new lease of life for geriatric reactors

In a decision that will set a precedent for Japan’s rapidly aging nuclear reactors, Kansai Electric Power Co. must soon choose whether to restart reactors ...

FIFA’s own goal

FIFA's culture of impunity is ruining "the beautiful game."

Putin has plenty of non-crazy friends in Europe

Whether the current Western leaders like it or not, pragmatism in relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin is part of the political mainstream in Europe, ...

Russia remakes history over NATO’s eastern expansion

The Russian invasion of Ukraine poses a fundamental challenge to the post-Cold War order, which has kept Europe relatively stable and at peace for the ...

Teaching quality, not lesson quantity, may be key to Japan’s top math marks

Japan spends less on education than most OECD countries, so why do its students continue to outperform their Western counterparts in math?

Once-stopgap market is much-loved symbol of recovery for Tohoku town

Initially a stopgap measure in the absence of local shops, the monthly morning market in Minamisanriku has become a cherished institution.

Good dog!: ‘Goofy big ball of fluff’ Bon lives up to his name

An unusual mix of cocker spaniel and Polish lowland sheepdog, Bon has been described as a "goofy big ball of fluff with great big feet."

Hakuho ties Taiho’s mark with 32nd title

Hakuho proved once again to be sumo’s man of steel as he overpowered fellow yokozuna Kakuryu en route to matching the all-time record of 32 ...

Nihon University beats Hosei to claim perfect record

Reserve quarterback Ryosuke Nishizawa rushed 15 yards for the winning touchdown with 5:00 remaining in the second quarter, leading the Nihon University Phoenix to a ...

Matsuyama earns first domestic win of season

Hideki Matsuyama, who plays primarily on the U.S. PGA tour, won his first domestic event of the year on Sunday, beating Hiroshi Iwata in a ...

Machida takes second, gets berth in Grand Prix Final

Tatsuki Machida qualified for his third consecutive Grand Prix Final with a second-place finish at the Trophee Bompard on Saturday night. Machida retained his position ...