Latest Japan News
Japan successfully launches a defense satellite carried by a new flagship H3 rocket
TOKYO (AP) — Japan launched a defense satellite Monday aimed at speedier military operations and communication on a new flagship H3 rocket and successfully placed it into orbit, as the country seeks to build up its military capability amid growing tension in the region. The East...
Japan has grounded its V-22 Osprey fleet again after flight incident
WASHINGTON (AP) — Japan has grounded its fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft again after an incident last Sunday where one of the hybrid helicopter-aircraft tilted unexpectedly and hit the ground while trying to take off. The V-22 was taking part in the joint U.S. military exercise Keen...
Rio Takeda wins Toto Japan Classic after 6 sudden-death playoff holes for her first LPGA Tour win
SHIGA, Japan (AP) — Rio Takeda of Japan won the LPGA's Toto Japan Classic on Sunday in a playoff that lasted six sudden-death holes, defeating Marina Alex of the United States. It was Takeda's first victory on the LPGA Tour. Takeda had a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, edging Alex...
With Ohtani and Yamamoto playing, the World Series averaged a record 12.9 million viewers in Japan
LOS ANGELES (AP) — With Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto making their first appearance, the World Series averaged 12.9 million viewers in Japan, making it the most-watched Fall Classic in the nation's history. Along with the United States ratings, the five-game series between...
Olympic medalist race walker Koki Ikeda of Japan suspended in doping investigation
MONACO (AP) — Olympic silver medalist race walker Koki Ikeda of Japan has been provisionally banned for suspected blood doping, track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit said on Friday. Ikeda was second in the 20-kilometer event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and placed seventh...
At 50, Hello Kitty is as 'kawaii' and lucrative as ever
TOKYO (AP) — Hello Kitty turns 50 on Friday. Befitting a pop icon at midlife, the bubble-headed, bow-wearing character's fictional birthday has brought museum exhibits, a theme park spectacle and a national tour. And that's just in Japan, her literal birthplace but not the one listed in her...
Shohei Ohtani's hometown waits another day for superstar's first World Series title
OSHU CITY, Japan (AP) — A small group of about 60 fans gathered Wednesday morning for a watch party at the city hall in Shohei Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan. They came dressed mostly in blue, the interlocking LA on their caps, to celebrate a World Series title for Ohtani, the...
Shohei Ohtani's rural hometown honors its superstar son -- from city hall to the hair salons
OSHU CITY, Japan (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan is a rural place, famous for its high-quality Maesawa beef, its history of making traditional ironware and the intense green hills and mountains that surround it. Japanese call such places “inaka” — roughly...
Japanese nuclear reactor which survived earthquake that badly damaged Fukushima power plant restarts
TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese nuclear reactor which survived a massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami that badly damaged the nearby Fukushima nuclear power plant was restarted Tuesday for the first time since the disaster after a safety upgrade, as the government pursues a renewed expansion of nuclear...
What does a shocking parliamentary loss for Japan's long-ruling party mean?
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling party and its junior partner lost their majority in Sunday’s parliamentary election. The loss, much bigger than expected, is bad news for a leader who's only been in power for a month. It's largely a reflection of...
