Tag: Japan

Japan’s 2015 foreign policy report expresses deep remorse over World War II

Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday (April 7) Japan had added references in its annual foreign policy Diplomatic Blue Book to “remorse” as the country reflected on the 70 years since World War II. According to the Kyodo news agency, a draft of the 2015 report says “Japan has continued its path as a pacifist nation for 70 years since the end of World War Two based on its ‘deep remorse’ over the […]

Asian stocks sag, dollar falls vs yen as Nikkei recoils

(Reuters) – Asian stocks were mostly lower on Wednesday, taking their lead from weaker U.S. shares, while the dollar slid against the yen as Tokyo’s Nikkei recoiled in volatile trade. As share volatility rose, spreadbetters forecast a significantly lower open for Britain’s FTSE.FTSE, Germany’s DAX .GDAXI and France’s CAC .FCHI. Crude oil prices continued to decline as negotiations between Iran and world powers over nuclear technology extended beyond a deadline. The protracted negotiations have drawn […]

Indonesian President makes a pitch for yen investment

Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for more yen investments on Tuesday (March 24) in a speech before Japanese business leaders in Tokyo. Widodo, on the third day of his Japan tour, focused on business diplomacy as he urged nearly 1,000 businessmen and women to increase their investment in Indonesia, a total of 4.7 billion US dollars in 2013 according to Japanese Foreign Ministry source. “Foreign investment to Indonesia continues to grow each and every year. […]

Japan Supports Six Projects for Peace and Development in Mindanao

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa has signed 6 grant contracts with respective recipient organizations for various social development projects in conflict – affected areas in Mindanao at 9:00 a.m. onMarch 24, 2015 at Astoria Plaza Hotel. These projects are funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) implemented by the Embassy of Japan as part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD). The signing ceremony was attended by the Office of […]

Japan unveils latest bullet train

Japan unveiled its latest bullet train, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, on Saturday (March 14) to run on a newly extended line to link one of the last remaining unconnected areas on the mainland to Tokyo. The newly extended line to the old castle town of Kanazawa will run the new E7 or W7 train. The train also known as “Kagayaki” or brightness in Japanese takes 2 hours and 28 minutes to travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa. […]

Philippines assessing discovery of Japanese sunken ship

The Philippines on Thursday (March 5) said it was verifying reports that a sunken World war II Japanese warship was discovered off the coast in the central Philippines. A team led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has found the sunken Japanese warship Musashi, one of the largest battleships ever built, where it was sunk during World War Two off the coast of the Philippines, the billionaire said on Wednesday (March 4). Presidential Spokesperson Sonny Coloma […]

The world’s oldest living person celebrates her 117th birthday

The world’s officially recognized oldest person, Misao Ohkawa was feted her 117th birthday one day early in the western Japanese city of Osaka on Wednesday (March 4). Ohkawa was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest person alive two years ago when Jiroemon Kimura – also of Japan – died in June 2013 at age 116 years, 54 days. On Wednesday, she appeared before local media with her 92-year old son and […]

Robot dogs in Japan

In Japan, robot dogs have gained widespread popularity, with owners treating them as real pets, to the extent of giving them funeral services when they break down beyond repair.

Eggs with the aroma of citrus fruits

In Japan, there are eggs called “yuzu tama”  which have the taste and aroma of citrus fruits. They were named after yuzu, one of Japan’s most loved citrus fruits.   These eggs don’t have chemicals or other additives.  The hens that lay them are just fed with the rind of the citrus fruit yuzu, some kale, corn and sesame seeds.   These are produced in Kochi Prefecture located in the southwest corner of Shikoku Island.

Family of Jordan pilot held by Islamic State hopeful he is alive

Friends and family members of a Jordanian pilot being held by Islamic State said on Friday (January 30) they believe he is still alive. They gathered in capital Amman, seeking information about his fate, a day after the deadline passed for the release of an Iraqi prisoner in Jordan. An audio message purportedly from a Japanese journalist also captured by the insurgents said the pilot would be killed “immediately” unless Jordan released Sajida al-Rishawi, who […]

Jordan, Japan seek news of Islamic State prisoners

Japan and Jordan scramble to find out what has happened to two of their nationals being held by Islamic State, after a deadline passed for the release of a would-be suicide bomber being held on death row in Amman. On Friday evening (January 30) Japanese deputy foreign minister Yasuhide Nakayama told reporters in Amman, where he is anchoring Japan’s on-the-ground response, that saving journalist Kenji Goto was Japan’s “only purpose”. “As everyone knows quite well, […]