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☆ Even astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has 'no idea' what the large metal ball that washed up on a Japanese beach really is
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Even Neil deGrasse Tyson doesn't have an explanation for the mysterious ball that washed up in Japan. When asked about the ball, the astrophysicist told CNN's Don Lemon he has "no idea" what it is. In an interview on Thursday, CNN's Don Lemon asked Tyson what the metal ball was. Lemon then jokingly asked what was the point of having Tyson on the show if he did not know what the ball was. The metal ball was removed from the beach earlier this week, the BBC confirmed in a report on Thursday.

☆ Tears and photos as Japan sends giant panda 'home' to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A baby panda Xiang Xiang, born from mother panda Shin Shin on June 12, 2017, walks on the ground during a press preview ahead of the public debut at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan December 18, 2017. REUTERS/Yoshikazu Tsuno/PoolTOKYO, Feb 21 (Reuters) - With tears, waves and shouts of farewell from fans, a Japan-born giant panda set off for China on Tuesday from the Tokyo zoo where she was raised. Xiang Xiang was originally supposed to be returned in December 2020 but this was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The zoo's first naturally-conceived panda, Xiang Xiang was also the first born there for years, enhancing her popularity. "Thank you, Xiang Xiang," one fan wrote on the zoo's Twitter page.

☆ Japan Expected to Name Kazuo Ueda, Backer of Zero Rates, as Central Bank Head
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Peter Landers | Megumi Fujikawa | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO—The expected nominee to lead the Bank of Japan , a longtime advocate of aggressive monetary policy, said Friday he wanted to continue the low-interest rate stance of the current governor. The government has decided to nominate Kazuo Ueda , a former University of Tokyo professor who served on the BOJ’s policy board from 1998 to 2005, as the next governor, said a person briefed on the appointment and public broadcaster NHK.

☆ Japan Set to Tap Kazuo Ueda, Backer of Zero Rates, as Central Bank Head
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Peter Landers | Megumi Fujikawa | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO—Japan is expected to name Kazuo Ueda , an advocate of aggressive monetary easing, to lead the Bank of Japan , and he said he wanted to continue the current governor’s low-interest-rate stance. The government decided to nominate Mr. Ueda, a former University of Tokyo professor who served on the BOJ’s policy board from 1998 to 2005, as the next governor, said a person briefed on the appointment and public broadcaster NHK.

Shares in Sushiro’s owner, Food & Life Companies Co Ltd, fell 4.8% last Tuesday, as the video circulated. In a statement last Wednesday, Food & Life Companies said it had filed a police report against the customer, alleging damages. Two other leading conveyor belt sushi chains, Kura Sushi and Hamazushi, told CNN that they had experienced similar disruptions. In recent weeks, some Japanese social media users have questioned the role of conveyor belt sushi restaurants as consumers demand more attention to cleanliness. Sushiro, the Japanese sushi chain, is replacing real sushi with photographs of sushi on its conveyor belts.

☆ Japan PM Kishida rebukes aide over same-sex couple outburst
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"His comments are outrageous and completely incompatible with the administration's policies," Kishida said in remarks aired by public broadcaster NHK. Kisihida said he may dismiss Arai, who later apologized for "misleading" comments made after Kishida had said in parliament that same-sex marriage needed careful consideration because of its potential impact on the family structure. Arai's comments are an embarrassment for Kishida as he prepares to host other leaders from Group of Seven nations in May. In a survey published by NHK in July 2021, two months before Kishida became prime minister, 57% of 1,508 respondents said they supported the legal recognition of same-sex unions. In November, a Tokyo court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage, but also said a lack of legal protection for same-sex families violated their human rights.

☆ Heavy snow, deep cold halts transport across Japan, at least one dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A train is stranded at Nishioji station in Kyoto, Japan in this photo provided by Kyodo on January 25, 2023. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERSTOKYO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Heavy snow blanketed wide swathes of Japan on Wednesday, snarling traffic, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations and disrupting train travel, leaving at least one person dead. An unusually cold weather front and extreme low pressure systems set snow falling and strong winds blowing across Japan from Tuesday. Snow was particularly heavy on the side of the nation facing the Sea of Japan, with the city of Maniwa in western Japan hit with a record 93 cm (36 inches) in the 24 hours to 8:00 a.m. (2300 GMT) on Wednesday. Strong winds connected to the storm may have caused the sinking of a Hong Kong-registered cargo ship between western Japan and South Korea's Jeju island early on Wednesday.

In a statement Tuesday, the agriculture ministry said 9.98 million animals had been killed this season, surpassing a previous record of 9.87 million that were slaughtered in fiscal 2020, during a previous bird flu crisis. The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, known as Zen-Noh, gave a higher tally, saying approximately 10.9 million birds had been killed as of Tuesday night. “The market price is expected to soar.”The spread of bird flu has already pushed up egg costs around the world in recent months. In Japan, wholesale prices for eggs reached a record high last month as shipments dropped, according to public broadcaster NHK. Avian flu is caused by infections that occur naturally among wild aquatic birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

☆ Japan Kishida vows to debate govt, BOJ roles with new central bank head
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The remark heightens the chance the government may revise its a decade-long blueprint with the central bank that focuses on beating deflation, a move that would lay the groundwork for an exit from the BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy. "Under the new BOJ governor, we must discuss the relationship between the government and the BOJ," said Kishida, who has authority to choose the central bank head. Markets are rife with speculation the BOJ could move further to phase out Kuroda's massive stimulus by tweaking its yield control policy under a new central bank governor. "In guiding monetary policy, policymakers must have a view on the outlook for the economy. There needs to be careful communication and dialogue with markets," Kishida said, when asked whether the BOJ needs to tweak it ultra-loose policy.

☆ Jetstar flight makes emergency landing in Japan due to bomb threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Jan 7 (Reuters) - A Jetstar flight made an emergency landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport in central Japan on Saturday due to a bomb threat, though no device was found, officials said. Five sustained minor injuries while evacuating from the plane, an official at the Chubu airport police said. The flight was diverted to the Chubu airport, in Japan's industrial heartland of Aichi prefecture, after a potential security incident, and passengers disembarked via emergency slides, Jetstar Airways said in a statement. "Jetstar Japan is working closely with the Chubu airport and local authorities to investigate the situation," the company said, declining to comment further. A Narita spokesperson said there had been a bomb threat call for the flight but that details were unclear.

☆ Japanese firms sign multi-year agreements to buy LNG from Oman, U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Yuka Obayashi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Global LNG supply has been tight since Russia invaded Ukraine and cut gas supply flows to Europe, leading European nations to import record amounts of LNG cargoes, straining global supplies and elevating prices. Mitsui and Itochu confirmed signing basic agreements with Oman LNG, but declined to give details. Other Japanese companies were also in talks with Oman LNG about term contracts, a government official told Reuters without naming the firms. If successful, they could take Japan's LNG imports from Oman above 3 million tonnes a year, he added. The agreements with Oman LNG were signed during a visit to Oman by Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura.

☆ Japan's Mitsui, Itochu and JERA to sign new long-term contracts to buy LNG from Oman -NHK
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Japan's trading houses Mitsui & Co (8031.T), Itochu Corp (8001.T) and Japan's biggest power generator JERA are expected to sign new long-term contracts to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Oman, NHK said on Tuesday. The Japanese companies are expected to buy a total of about 2 million tonnes of LNG, starting from 2025, through around 10-year contracts, public broadcaster NHK said. The Japanese companies will likely make agree on the contracts on Tuesday and Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is currently visiting the Middle East, will attend the signing ceremony, NHK said. Japan imported 1.9 million tonnes of LNG in 2021, accounting for 2.6% of Japan's total imports. Other Japanese companies are also in negotiations with Oman to buy LNG, NHK said.

☆ Japan PM Kishida to replace reconstruction minister Akiba - NHK
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will replace reconstruction minister Kenya Akiba with former financial services agency minister Tatsuya Ito, public broadcaster NHK reported on Monday. Akiba would be the fourth minister to be let go from the cabinet of Kishida, whose approval ratings have remained low after the killing of former premier Shinzo Abe revealed close connections between ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and the church, which critics say is a cult. Reporting by Rocky Swift Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan PM Kishida to replace embattled reconstruction minister Akiba - NHK
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is battling low approval ratings, will replace a government minister for the fourth time since he created his current cabinet in August, public broadcaster NHK reported on Monday. Discussions on a replacement for Kenya Akiba, minister responsible for overseeing the reconstruction of areas hit by Japan's massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011, are still underway, the broadcaster said. NHK initially reported that Akiba will be replaced by former financial services agency minister Tatsuya Ito, but later corrected that report to say a successor has not been picked. That's all I can say," Kishida said on Monday when asked whether he planned to replace Akiba. Kishida also plans to replace Mio Sugita, his Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs, Kyodo reported on Monday citing multiple unidentified government sources.

☆ Japan's recent heavy snow has caused 13 deaths, many injuries
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Recent heavy snow in Japan's north and elsewhere have killed 13 people injured more than 80 and left more than 10,000 households without power, the authorities said on Saturday. Snowstorms and high waves in northern Japan and along the Sea of Japan coast could cause snow as deep as 60 cm (two feet), the Meteorological Agency warned. By late Saturday afternoon, more than 30 had been seriously injured and more than 50 sustained minor injuries, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said. Train and airplane services were disrupted in northern Japan, and some parts of central and western areas experienced traffic disruption, according to public broadcaster NHK. Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ North Korea fired ballistic missile, South Korean military says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the Korean Peninsula's east coast on Sunday Dec. 18, South Korea's military said. North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the sea off the Korean Peninsula's east coast on Sunday, South Korea's military said. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the North Korean-fired ballistic missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), citing unnamed government officials. North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, despite international bans and sanctions. In November, North Korea test-fired an ICMB that Japanese officials said had sufficient range to reach the mainland of the United States and that landed just 200 kilometers (130 miles) off Japan.

☆ North Korea fired ballistic missile, South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, Dec 18 (Reuters) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the sea off the Korean Peninsula's east coast on Sunday, South Korea's military said. Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the North Korean-fired ballistic missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), citing unnamed government officials. The North's missile launch comes just days after the country tested a high-thrust solid-fuel engine that experts said would allow quicker and more mobile launch of ballistic missiles, as it seeks to develop a new strategic weapon and speed up its nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, despite international bans and sanctions. Reporting by Heekyong Yang, Jack Kim and Junko Fujita; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan monitoring possible tsunami risk from Indonesia volcano - NHK
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Japan's Meteorology Agency was monitoring for the possibility of a tsunami after a volcano erupted in Indonesia on Sunday, public broad caster NHK reported. A tsunami from the eruption, which occurred around 11:18 a.m. Japan time (0218 GMT), could reach Okinawa Prefecture as early as 0530 GMT, NHK quoted the agency as saying. Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan Meteorological Agency says no tsunami impact from Java volcano eruption, NHK reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TOKYO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Japan's Meteorological Agency said on Sunday that there was no tsunami impact a volcano that erupted on Sunday in Indonesia, public broadcaster NHK said. Indonesian authorities raised the warning on Semeru volcano on the island of Java to the highest level after an eruption spewed a column of ash high into the air. read moreReporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan monitoring possible tsunami risk from Indonesia volcano, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Japan's Meteorology Agency was monitoring for the possibility of a tsunami after a volcano erupted in Indonesia on Sunday, public broad caster NHK reported. A tsunami from the eruption, which occurred around 11:18 a.m. Japan time (0218 GMT), could reach Okinawa Prefecture as early as 0530 GMT, NHK quoted the agency as saying.

☆ Indonesia's Semeru volcano erupts, people warned to stay away
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Indonesia's Semeru volcano on Java island erupted early on Sunday, spewing a column of ash 1.5 km (1 miles) into the air, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay away from the eruption area. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, BNPB, warned residents not to conduct any activities within 5 km (3 miles) of the eruption centre and to stay 500 metres (1,500 feet) from riversides due to risks of lava flow. The volcano began erupting at 2:46 a.m. (1946 GMT on Saturday), BNPB said in a statement. Indonesian authorities have distributed masks to local residents, BNPB said in a statement, adding that volcanic activity remained at level III, below the highest level of IV. With 142 volcanoes, Indonesia has the largest population globally living in close range to a volcano, including 8.6 million within 10 km (6 miles).

☆ Prosecutors raid Dentsu over suspected bid-rigging for Olympics test events -media
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Tokyo prosecutors raided the headquarters of ad agency Dentsu Inc and an events company on Friday on suspicion of rigging bids for Tokyo Olympics test events, public broadcaster NHK and other domestic media reported on Friday. Shares in its parent company Dentsu Group Inc (4324.T) slumped 4% on the news. The move marks a widening of scandal over the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that also saw Dentsu Inc offices raided earlier this year. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Japan Fair Trade Commission declined to comment on the reports of suspected bid-rigging. Prosecutors have also searched the home of a Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee executive who was suspected of having handled the project orders for the test events, Kyodo news agency reported.

☆ Germany-Japan World Cup match a big draw for viewers in Japan, less so in Germany
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN/TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The Germany-Japan World Cup match on Wednesday prompted record access numbers for Japanese online streaming platform Abema, while viewership in Germany more than halved from the national team's opening match four years ago, data showed. Some 9.2 million people tuned in to German broadcaster ARD's coverage to see the match, according to data from audience measurement firm AGF. In the 2018 World Cup, 25.96 million viewed Germany's first match against Mexico. The match, in which Japan scored a stunning 2-1 upset over four-times champions Germany, took place at 2 p.m. local time in Germany, when many people were at work. Millions more viewed the match on streaming platform Abema, where access reached a record of more than 10 million on Wednesday helped by the match, according to parent company CyberAgent Inc. (4751.T).

☆ Third Japanese cabinet minister in a month resigns in blow to PM
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Elaine Lies | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Japan's internal affairs minister resigned on Sunday in connection with a funding scandal, becoming the third cabinet member to leave in less than a month in a severe blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's already shaky support. Internal affairs minister Minoru Terada tendered his resignation to Kishida after media reports the premier was preparing to sack him. Kishida said he had accepted Terada's resignation in order to prioritise parliamentary debate, including discussions on a second extra budget for the fiscal year ending in March. Asked about the fact that three ministers have resigned since Oct. 24, Kishida said he would like to apologise. Hanashi and Terada's resignations are likely to be especially painful because they were members of Kishida's faction in the LDP.

☆ Japan's Kishida calls for constructive relations in talks with China's Li
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday he hoped the two countries could strive toward building a "constructive and stable" relationship, Japan's foreign ministry said on Saturday. In a speech at the ASEAN plus 3 meeting, Kishida reiterated Japan's view that North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches, including one that flew over Japan, were a clear and serious threat to the international community, and unacceptable. He also called for cooperation among the countries in achieving a complete dismantling of North Korea's ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported Kishida was making final arrangements to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC meeting in Bangkok. Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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