Japanese Climber Junko Tabei, First Woman To Conquer Mount Everest, Dies At 77
"We were told we should be raising children instead," Junko Tabei said of the all-female expedition she helped lead on Everest in 1975.
Japan
Coins From The Roman Empire Are Found In Ruins Of Japanese Castle
The copper coins were found in 2013; X-ray analysis shows that they bear an image of Constantine the Great.
Japan's Centuries-Old Tradition Of Making Soba Noodles
In the remote mountains of the Japanese island of Shikoku, an old woman makes soba noodles by hand from locally grown buckwheat. It's ancient technique that is adapting to modern times.
How Art Transformed A Remote Japanese Island
The population of Naoshima has fallen to 3,000. But this year, its art will attract 800,000 tourists from around the world. "The level of our sophistication has gone up considerably," says a resident.
A Dying Japanese Village Brought Back To Life — By Scarecrows
A remote mountain village once was home to hundreds. Now it has just 30 residents. Tsukimi Ayano, 67, is one of the younger ones. She has repopulated the village by making scarecrow-like figures.
For Some Older Adults In Japan, A Chance To Stay In The Workforce
As Japan's population shrinks and ages, the government wants older adults to remain employed. The traditional retirement age is 60, but a few companies are welcoming those who want to keep working.
Japanese City Takes Community Approach To Dealing With Dementia
Japan expects 7 million cases of dementia among its long-lived residents by 2025. It has started training pharmacists, bankers and postal workers in how to recognize the signs and be supportive.
Beyond Slurpees: Many Japanese Mini-Marts Now Cater To Elders
Convenience is in the eye of the generation. Increasingly, corner markets in Japan target the 27 percent of residents over 65 — offering nursing care advice and home delivery of meals and groceries.
A Samurai's Son Makes Stop-Motion Magic With Music And Origami
Kubo and the Two Strings is a sprawling new fantasy film from Laika animation studios. Filmmaker Travis Knight says it's all about merging brand new technology with age-old art and craft.
Japanese 'Naked' Festivals Keep Centuries-Old Tradition Alive
In a mountain town, schoolboys in traditional loincloths keep up a 300-year tradition. The hadaka matsuri festivals, rooted in Shinto tradition, take place to bring purification, luck and prosperity.