US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Beijing Saturday against “destabilising actions” in the South China Sea, and backed its regional rival Japan’s plans to take on a more muscular security role in Asia. Stressing US commitments to allies and friends…
Browsing: Japan
Former England skipper Steve Borthwick’s appointment as Japan’s new forwards coach will give the Asian champions a huge boost at next year’s Rugby World Cup, head coach Eddie Jones told AFP Tuesday. “He’s a fantastic acquisition for us,” said Jones,…
Murder detectives were Monday investigating the case of a young nurse whose corpse was sent by parcel post across Japan in a box that claimed to contain a doll. The body of Rika Okada was found in a storage lock-up in Tokyo. Investigators also found…
Japan’s World Cup preparations were given a timely shot in the arm after their female counterparts captured the Asian Cup on a day of triple celebration for the country. With the Brave Blossoms booking their place at next year’s rugby World Cup and…
Japan qualified for their eighth straight Rugby World Cup with a 49-8 win over Hong Kong Sunday to claim the Asian Five Nations title in the final sporting event at Tokyo’s National Stadium. Japan have never lost an Asian Five Nations match in the seven…
Internet giant Yahoo Japan said Monday it had cancelled plans to buy domestic telecom company eAccess from its parent SoftBank Corp. in a deal that was valued at about $3.2 billion. In March, Yahoo’s Japanese unit — whose top shareholder is SoftBank…
Japan captain Makoto Hasebe Friday backed veteran striker Yoshito Okubo’s surprise selection for the World Cup and said he could help inspire younger players. Okubo has played only once in the last four years under Alberto Zaccheroni and there were…
Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni believes his “love affair” with Japan will bear fruit at the World Cup after four roller-coaster years which has seen Asian Cup success but also intense criticism for reverses. The 61-year-old has been in charge of a…
Struggling Japanese electronics maker Sharp said Monday it had swung back to profit for the full year to March after two years of huge losses, thanks to stronger sales and cost-cutting. The Osaka-based company booked a 11.56 billion yen ($114 million…
One of Japan’s most popular cartoon creations, Doraemon, a robot cat from the future with a magic pocket and a portal to anywhere, is to make his debut on US TV this year, officials said Friday. TV Asahi, which partially owns the rights to the character…
A Japanese whaling fleet left port Saturday under tight security, marking the first hunt since the UN’s top court last month ordered Tokyo to stop killing whales in the Antarctic. Four ships departed from the northeastern fishing town of Ayukawa to…
Two Chinese coastguard ships sailed into waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea Saturday, the Japanese coastguard said, two days after US President Barack Obama declared his support for Japan. The vessels entered 12 nautical miles (22…
After enjoying several years as America’s semi-official Jesus Car, the Chevy Volt is starting to lose its luster in the face of bigger, better plug in hybrids from Europe and Japan- not to mention the more practical Ford Fusion Energi built by Chevy…
Airport authorities in Japan launched a frantic scramble to change security pass codes, an official said Tuesday, the day before Barack Obama arrives, after an airline employee dropped a memo containing the details. The news came as security in the…
Japan broke ground Saturday on a coastal surveillance unit near a string of islands at the centre of a bitter territorial dispute with China, a report said. Radar equipment will be installed on Yonaguni island to monitor ships and aircraft in the East…
Former Japan coach Philippe Troussier wants to end his career in the dugout by coaching the home country’s team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he told AFP. The 59-year-old Frenchman, currently on a shortlist of candidates for the Morocco national job after…
If you thought a finger that glows when you phone home was strictly the preserve of extra-terrestrials, think again: a Japanese firm has unveiled nails that light up when you make a call. Unlike “E.T.” in the 1982 Steven Spielberg film, modern-day Japanese…
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took US ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy on a test ride of Japan’s super-fast magnetic train on Saturday, showcasing the “Maglev” technology Tokyo hopes to sell to its ally. “I hope ambassador Kennedy will enjoy the full…
Three Chinese coastguard ships sailed through disputed waters off Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea Saturday, the Japanese coastguard said, the latest such incident in a bitter territorial row between the Asian giants. The state-owned Chinese…
With the world’s biggest military, China far outnumbers rival Japan in manpower, ships, aircraft and defence spending, but analysts say underlying weaknesses leave it still wary of a fight. The two Asian powers are embroiled in simmering territorial…