Japan

Japan's parliament has approved a law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate. Last year, Akihito — in oblique language — asked permission to do so, citing his advanced age and poor health.

My Neighbor Totoro has inspired a cult international following since its 1988 release. Now, Miyazaki's anime has inspired plans for a theme park, too — set to open in Japan in 2020.

If the 83-year-old Akihito steps down, he will be the first to abdicate in 200 years. But the provision doesn't solve Japan's royal problem: strict rules of succession and a dearth of eligible males.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has denied involvement in a discounted sale of state-owned land for a new primary school. He says he'll resign if proof of his involvement is found.

If you want to travel on the Shiki-Shima train, you'll need to plan ahead: despite starting at nearly $3,000, tickets are sold out through next spring.

As North Korea marked its military's anniversary with artillery drills, a U.S. guided missile submarine docked in South Korea and U.S. Navy ships conducted exercises with South Korea and Japan.

President Trump's administration has rejected the Trans-Pacific Partnership and is seeking one-on-one talks. Japan, meanwhile, has indicated it wants to push ahead with TPP — with or without the U.S.

The country's Fisheries Agency says the trip is conducted each year to further ecological research — which is an exception in a worldwide ban on commercial whaling. Others aren't buying the claim.

"Suddenly everything turned white," one student told local media. A mountaineering training exercise had drawn students and teachers from high schools across the region.

The projectiles were launched from near the North's missile base of Tongchang-ri, on Sunday, says South Korea's military. At least one of the missiles flew about 620 miles.