Japan

World News

Japan's Emperor Akihito To Abdicate In April 2019

2:33am December 01, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The 83-year-old emperor hinted last year that he wanted to step down. However, Japanese law had no provision for imperial abdication until a new law was passed by parliament this summer.

The wreckage of a boat is seen along a sea wall in Yurihonjo in Japan's Akita Prefecture on Friday. A number of boats thought to be from North Korea — including some carrying dead bodies — have washed up the Japanese coast in recent weeks.

World News

'Ghost Ships' Turn Up Along Japanese Coast, Likely From North Korea

2:17pm November 28, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

A number of small wooden boats have washed ashore recently, including some with dead bodies on board. The Japan Coast Guard says it is stepping up its patrols to guard against "suspicious boats."

Akihiro Nikkaku (left), president of Japan's Toray Industries, appears at a news conference Tuesday in Tokyo. He said instances of falsified quality-assurance data did not compromise product safety.

World News

In Japan, A Growing Scandal Over Companies Faking Product-Quality Data

1:29pm November 28, 2017

by Avie Schneider

A maker of materials used in airplanes and car parts admitted its customers were given falsified data on quality. It's the latest in a string of such incidents involving industrial giants.

Lawmakers in the Kumamoto Municipal Assembly talk with member Yuka Ogata, who brought her infant son to work.

Japanese Lawmaker's Baby Gets Booted From The Floor

5:41pm November 24, 2017

by Elise Hu

When Yuka Ogata went back to work after having a baby, she tried to bring him along. The response highlighted the difficulties working women face in rules-bound Japan.

In an image provided by the U.S. Navy, a C-2A Greyhound assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) on Nov. 17. Three sailors are missing after the same type of pla

World News

Navy Ends Search For 3 Missing Sailors In Philippine Sea

10:37pm November 23, 2017

by Hannah Bloch

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our lost shipmates and their families," said Rear Adm. Marc Dalton, Commander, Task Force 70, according to a U.S. Navy statement.

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, a C-2A Greyhound prepares to land in August. Three remained missing after the same type of plane crashed Wednesday in the Philippine Sea.

National

Search Continues For Missing Sailors After Navy Plane Crash In Philippine Sea

3:12am November 23, 2017

by Scott Neuman

Three sailors are still missing after the C-2A Greyhound transport plane went down on Wednesday. Eight others have been rescued.

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan.

World News

Alcohol Banned For U.S. Forces In Japan After Fatal Car Crash

3:44pm November 20, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

A Japanese man was killed early Sunday in a car crash involving a U.S. service member and alcohol was likely a factor. U.S. forces in Japan are now banned indefinitely from consuming alcohol.

Takashi Yanaoka, president of the Musashigaoka Golf Course outside Tokyo, says tee times are booked at about 90 percent here. But it bucks an industry-wide downward trend.

Japan Has Half Of Asia's Golf Courses, But The Game's Popularity There Is Flagging

4:55pm November 16, 2017

by Elise Hu

In the 1980s, Japan built thousands of golf courses and the game became baked into its business culture. Those days are over. Golf participation in Japan has dropped by 40 percent since 1996.

A Japanese train company says it has spoken to a crew that left a station without consulting the time.

World News

After Tokyo Commuter Train Leaves 20 Seconds Early, Company Apologizes

10:15am November 16, 2017

by Bill Chappell

The rail company says it didn't receive any complaints from passengers over the discrepancy; still, it is sorry for a "severe inconvenience."

A "comfort woman" statue is placed on a bus seat to mark the 5th International Memorial Day for Comfort Women in Seoul in August.

'Comfort Woman' Memorial Statues, A Thorn In Japan's Side, Now Sit On Korean Buses

8:21pm November 13, 2017

by Elise Hu

Statues symbolizing the World War II sex slaves abused by Japanese soldiers have appeared this year on Korean city buses — including on a bus line whose doors open right in front of Japan's embassy.

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