By Mari Yamaguchi Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — An American sailor’s arrest in an alleged rape on Okinawa was “extremely regrettable,” Japan’s top government spokesman said March 14 about a case that renewed ill feelings on the southern island that sees the U.S. military presence there as a heavy and unfair burden. Chief Cabinet Secretary […]
3 former execs of utility charged in Fukushima disaster
By Mari Yamaguchi Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Three former Japanese utility executives were formally charged Monday, Feb. 29 with negligence in the Fukushima nuclear disaster, becoming the first officials from the company to face a criminal trial. Five court-appointed lawyers indicted Tsunehisa Katsumata, chairman of Tokyo Electric power Co. at the time of the […]
Abe ‘speechless’ after video claims IS hostage dead
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s prime minister said Sunday he was “speechless’’ after an online video purported to show one of two Japanese hostages of the extremist Islamic State group had been killed and promised to save the other. Shinzo Abe said on NHK TV that the video was likely authentic and offered condolences to the […]
Japan’s ruling bloc wins upper house elections
By Malcolm Foster The Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition won a comfortable majority in the upper house of parliament in elections July 21, giving it control of both chambers and a mandate to press ahead with difficult economic reforms. The win is an endorsement of the Liberal Democratic […]
Japanese troops head to California to train
By Julie Watson The Associated Press SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) — Japanese troops will converge on California’s southern coast in the next two weeks as part of a military exercise with U.S. troops aimed at improving that country’s amphibious attack abilities.
Bluefin tuna sells for record $1.76M in Tokyo
By Malcolm Foster The Associated Press TOKYO, Japan (AP) — A bluefin tuna sold for a record $1.76 million at a Tokyo auction Saturday, Jan. 5, nearly three times the previous high set last year — even as environmentalists warn that stocks of the majestic, speedy fish are being depleted worldwide amid strong demand for […]
Japan resumes whale meat imports, draws controversy
TOKYO (AP) — Japan has bought whale meat from Iceland, the first time in 17 years it has imported the meat, a news agency reported Saturday, Nov. 29.