Latest Japan News
It's not as world-famous as ramen or sushi. But the humble onigiri is soul food in Japan
TOKYO (AP) — The word “onigiri” became part of the Oxford English Dictionary this year, proof that the humble sticky-rice ball and mainstay of Japanese food has entered the global lexicon. The rice balls are stuffed with a variety of fillings and typically wrapped in seaweed....
Japan's emperor says he looks forward to deepening ties with Britain's royals during UK visit
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito said Wednesday he is “delighted” to finally be able to visit Britain after the trip was delayed by several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he looks forward to rekindling his friendship with the British royal family and exploring Oxford, where...
Japan, New Zealand agree on intel sharing pact amid growing regional security concerns
TOKYO (AP) — Japan and New Zealand agreed Wednesday in principle on an intelligence sharing pact as their leaders shared concerns over the increasingly challenging security environment in the region, including closer ties between Russia and North Korea. In a joint statement, Prime...
Swimmer Lydia Jacoby, the Alaskan surprise of the Tokyo Olympics, is left at home for Paris Games
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Lydia Jacoby is still a bit shell-shocked. The Alaskan darling of the Tokyo Games will be watching the Paris Olympics from home. If she watches at all. “You know, I haven’t quite gotten there yet,” Jacoby said. “I haven’t...
Japan's 'beat poet' Kazuko Shiraishi, pioneer of modern performance poetry, dies at 93
TOKYO (AP) — Kazuko Shiraishi, a leading name in modern Japanese “beat” poetry, known for her dramatic readings, at times with jazz music, has died. She was 93. Shiraishi, whom American poet and translator Kenneth Rexroth dubbed “the Allen Ginsberg of Japan,” died of heart...
Japan's exports surge 13.5% in May, helped by cheap yen and strong demand in US, Asian markets
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's exports surged 13.5% in May, faster than expected growth helped by a weak yen and strong demand in the U.S. and Asia. Finance Ministry data reported Wednesday showed that the trade deficit totaled 1.22 trillion yen ($7.7 billion), down nearly 12% from 1.38...
Bob Schul, the only American runner to win the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, dies at 86
Bob Schul, the only American distance runner to win gold in the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, has died. He was 86. His death on Sunday was announced by Miami University in Ohio, where Schul shined on the track and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 1973. No cause of...
Akio Toyoda, grandson of Toyota founder, wins shareholders' approval to stay in leadership
TOKYO (AP) — Toyota shareholders voted Tuesday in support of all the company's proposals, including keeping Akio Toyoda, grandson of the Japanese automaker’s founder, as chairman on the board. Details on the vote tallies were not immediately available. But the company confirmed...
Toyota shareholders demand vote against chairman Toyoda as automaker embroiled in testing scandal
TOKYO (AP) — Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda will be facing some disgruntled shareholders this week, as two major proxy groups demand a vote against keeping the grandson of the founder on its board. The vote expected at the June 18 annual shareholders meeting comes after Toyota...
Japan has no plans to seek a suspension of Osprey flights despite restrictions in US
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's defense chief said Friday that Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys are being safely operated in his country, and that he has no plans to request a flight suspension despite restrictions in the U.S. where ongoing safety and performance assessments will continue until next year....
