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Japan

WorldAugust 28

Japanese PM Abe announces resignation

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving premier, announced today he was resigning because of poor health. 'I cannot be prime minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people.'
Japanese PM Abe announces resignation
Japanese PM Abe announces resignation
WorldJuly 8

Dancing robots replace fans at Japanese baseball game

With their stadium devoid of fans due to coronavirus restrictions, Japanese baseball team Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have come up with an imaginative replacement: dancing robots.
Dancing robots replace fans at Japanese baseball game
Dancing robots replace fans at Japanese baseball game
WorldAugust 30

Tokyo named world's safest city

Tokyo was named the world's safest city by the Economist Intelligence Unit, in an index ranking cities' ability to handle everything from climate disasters to cyber attacks.
Tokyo named world's safest city
Tokyo named world's safest city
WorldJuly 18

At least 33 killed in animation studio arson attack

A man shouted "die" as he doused an animation studio with fuel and set it ablaze in Japan on Thursday, killing at least 33 people in the nation's worst mass murder in nearly two decades.
At least 33 killed in animation studio arson attack
At least 33 killed in animation studio arson attack
WorldJuly 18

At least 13 feared dead in animation studio fire

At least 13 people were feared dead and dozens more either unconscious, hurt, or missing in a suspected case of arson at an animation studio in the Japanese city of Kyoto on Thursday, the local fire department said.
At least 13 feared dead in animation studio fire
At least 13 feared dead in animation studio fire
WorldMay 26

Trump in Japan for ceremonial visit as trade tensions loom

US President Donald Trump urged Japanese business leaders on Saturday to increase their investment in the United States while he chided Japan for having a "substantial edge" on trade.
Trump in Japan for ceremonial visit as trade tensions loom
Trump in Japan for ceremonial visit as trade tensions loom
WorldDecember 16

More than 40 injured in explosion at bar in Japan

More than 40 people were injured in an explosion on Sunday at a bar in Sapporo in northern Japan, Kyodo news agency reported.
More than 40 injured in explosion at bar in Japan
More than 40 injured in explosion at bar in Japan
WorldDecember 6

Five Marines missing after two US aircraft collide

Five US Marines were missing after two Marine Corps aircraft collided in mid-air and crashed into the sea off the coast of Japan during an air-to-air refuelling exercise.
Five Marines missing after two US aircraft collide
Five Marines missing after two US aircraft collide
WorldSeptember 4

Six die as typhoon slices through Japan

Japan issued evacuation advisories for more than a million people and cancelled hundreds of flights as Typhoon Jebi sliced across the west, cutting power, overturning cars and killing at least six people.
Six die as typhoon slices through Japan
Six die as typhoon slices through Japan
WorldJuly 8

Race to find survivors after Japan floods kill over 100

Rescuers in Japan dug through mud and rubble on Monday, racing to find survivors after torrential rain unleashed floods and landslides that killed at least 112 people, with dozens missing.
Race to find survivors after Japan floods kill over 100
Race to find survivors after Japan floods kill over 100
WorldJuly 8

Death toll in Japan flooding tops 60

The death toll from unprecedented rains in Japan rose to at least 64 on Sunday after rivers burst their banks and forced several million people from their homes.
Death toll in Japan flooding tops 60
Death toll in Japan flooding tops 60
WorldJanuary 16

Japan issues false alarm over missile launch

Japanese public broadcaster NHK issued a false alarm saying North Korea appeared to have launched a missile and urging people to take shelter, but it managed to correct the error within minutes.
WorldDecember 10

Japanese priestess stabbed to death at shrine

A Shinto priestess was killed on the grounds of a famous Tokyo shrine by a man wielding a traditional Japanese sword who then killed another woman before committing suicide.
Japanese priestess stabbed to death at shrine
Japanese priestess stabbed to death at shrine
WorldDecember 1

Japan's emperor to abdicate in 2019

Emperor Akihito, who has spent much of his nearly three decades on Japan's throne seeking to soothe the wounds of World War Two, will step down on April 30, 2019 - the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in about two centuries.
Japan's emperor to abdicate in 2019
Japan's emperor to abdicate in 2019
WorldNovember 22

US Navy plane crashes in Philippine Sea

A US Navy transport plane carrying 11 people crashed in the Philippine Sea south of Japan as it flew to an aircraft carrier and three people were missing, in the latest Navy accident in the region.
US Navy plane crashes in Philippine Sea
US Navy plane crashes in Philippine Sea
WorldOctober 22

Abe to push constitution reforms after election win

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc scored a big win in Sunday's election, bolstering his chance of becoming the nation's longest-serving premier and re-energising his push to revise the pacifist constitution.
Abe to push constitution reforms after election win
Abe to push constitution reforms after election win
WorldOctober 20

Japan's emperor likely to abdicate in 2019

Japan's Emperor Akihito is likely to abdicate at the end of March 2019 and Crown Prince Naruhito is expected to ascend the throne in April, the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries.
Japan's emperor likely to abdicate in 2019
Japan's emperor likely to abdicate in 2019
MotorsportOctober 8

Lewis Hamilton wins Japan Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton moved within reach of a fourth Formula One world championship on Sunday after winning a Japanese Grand Prix that saw Ferrari title rival Sebastian Vettel retire with engine problems.
Lewis Hamilton wins Japan Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton wins Japan Grand Prix
WorldJuly 29

N. Korea tests another missile, puts US cities in range

North Korea fired a missile that experts said was capable of hitting Los Angeles and other US cities and the United States and South Korea responded by staging a joint missile exercise.
N. Korea tests another missile, puts US cities in range
N. Korea tests another missile, puts US cities in range
WorldJuly 6

400,000 evacuated as heavy rains hit Japan

Flooded rivers have forced 400,000 people from their homes as record rains batter southwestern Japan for a second day.
400,000 evacuated as heavy rains hit Japan
400,000 evacuated as heavy rains hit Japan
WorldJuly 4

N. Korea tests intercontinental missile

North Korea said it successfully test-launched a first intercontinental ballistic missile, (ICBM), which analysts said could put all of the US state of Alaska in range for the first time.
N. Korea tests intercontinental missile
N. Korea tests intercontinental missile
NationalApril 25

NZ spied on Japan: NSA document

New Zealand spied on Japan and passed information to the United States during an international whaling meeting, according to a newly published paper.
NZ spied on Japan: NSA document
NZ spied on Japan: NSA document
WorldJanuary 6

Japan to recall envoy over 'comfort women' statue

Japan said on Friday it was recalling its ambassador to South Korea over a statue commemorating Korean women forced to work in Japanese military brothels during World War 2 and that the statue violated an agreement to resolve the issue.
Japan to recall envoy over 'comfort women' statue
Japan to recall envoy over 'comfort women' statue
TravelAugust 27

Tokyo's boisterous little brother

Student and travel blogger Siobhan Downes spent a semester in Japan's most unconventional city, Osaka.
WorldJuly 15

Help on way for Japan flood victims

Japanese troops are airlifting supplies to thousands of people cut off by floods on the country's southern island of Kyushu.
Help on way for Japan flood victims
Help on way for Japan flood victims