National
Emperor to proclaim enthronement in ritual-bound ceremony
Japan's new Emperor Naruhito will formally proclaim his ascension to the throne on Tuesday in a ritual-bound ceremony, but the after-effects of deadly typhoon will cast a shadow over proceedings. Naruhito officially assumed his duties as emperor on May 1, a day after his father became the first Japanese monarch… Read
Typhoon death toll rises to 80
The death toll from Typhoon Hagibis that triggered massive flooding in Japan rose to 80 on Sunday as search operations continued. Ten people remained missing, according to a Kyodo News tally, after flooding and mudslides ravaged wide areas of central, eastern and northeastern Japan. According to the Fire and Disaster… Read
Environmentally friendly straws catching on in Japan, but some hesitate
For some, an ocean full of plastic is the last straw. That's why a growing number of environmentally conscious restaurants in Japan are doing away with single-use plastic straws in favor of reusable silicone and stainless steel ones as a way to combat the global plastic waste crisis. But while… Read
Researchers find second Japanese warship sunk in Battle of Midway
A crew of deep-sea explorers and historians looking for lost World War II warships have found a second Japanese aircraft carrier that went down in the historic Battle of Midway. Vulcan Inc. director of undersea operations Rob Kraft said a review of sonar data captured Sunday shows what could be… Read
Abe pledges all-out efforts to locate missing people in typhoon-hit areas
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged all-out efforts Sunday to help locate missing people and restore infrastructure devastated by Typhoon Hagibis in a meeting with the governor of Nagano Prefecture, one of the hardest-hit areas. "The government will do everything it can. We will make all-out efforts in searching for missing… Read
Empress emerita Michiko turns 85; celebrations shelved over typhoon
Empress emerita Michiko marked her 85th birthday on Sunday, her first since the abdication of her husband, former Emperor Akihito, earlier this year. Birthday celebrations were canceled following a deadly typhoon last weekend, according to the Imperial Household Agency. She had planned on receiving family members at her and the emperor… Read
Car slams into truck, which then hits mother, 4-month-old daughter
A car crashed into a small truck, causing it to hit a mother holding her 4-month-old daughter in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Saturday. According to police, the accident occurred at around 11:30 a.m. in Chuo Ward. The car, driven by an 80-year-old man, hit the truck, driven by a 64-year-old… Read
Future of Japan's imperial dynasty rests on shoulders of 13-year-old
When Japan's youngest prince, Hisahito, visited Bhutan in August on his first overseas trip just months after his uncle Naruhito became emperor, his trip was regarded as the debut of a future monarch on the world stage. Greeting his hosts in traditional hakama kimono and trying his hand at archery,… Read
Japan mulls assigning 2 SDF vessels to new Middle East mission
Japan is eyeing assigning two Self-Defense Forces vessels to help protect Middle East waterways under a dispatch plan under consideration, a government source said Saturday. An SDF ship currently in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen to crack down on pirate activities will be sent on the… Read
JICA, Kumamoto tie up to facilitate hosting of foreign workers
The Japan International Cooperation Agency and Kumamoto Prefecture will launch a project next year to train young Japanese people to assist the western Japan prefecture in hosting its ever-growing population of foreign workers. The project will enlist Japanese nationals who have volunteered to provide technical assistance in developing countries, and… Read
