Economy
Fed to start tapering bond purchases this year: Bernanke
The Federal Reserve maintains its $85 billion-a-month asset purchase program, but says it could begin scaling back later this year.
Event Topics
Events Outside Tokyo
Mishima plays get the puppet treatment
by Magdalena Osumi
The “Five Modern Noh Plays” by Yukio Mishima (1925-70) has already been the subject of many adaptations, but the latest is by marionette theater company Youkiza. Not only is the original set of yūgen (a mysterious, profound universe) retained, but so is the modern approach typical of novelist Mishima’s dramas. ...
Events Outside Tokyo
Firefly festivals in the summer capture spirit of growing up in old Japan
by Alisa Yamasaki
It’s hard to believe there was a time when fireflies outnumbered the neon lights of Tokyo. Luckily there are still ...
Events Outside Tokyo
Yokohama to celebrate French culture
by Tomoko Otake
Interested in France? Head to Yokohama. The Institut Francais Yokohama, the Yokohama branch of the French government-sponsored culture and language ...
Events Outside Tokyo Jun 7, 2013
Train company to monkey around with riders
by Magdalena Osumi
Who says “monkey business” is bad for tourism? Not the Hojo Railway Company. Two baby macaques, who act as honorary station masters at Hojomachi Station in the city of Kasai, Hyogo Prefecture, will guide passengers from that station to Ao Station in the city ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 24, 2013
Record haul expected during 20-minute fireworks display
by Masaaki Kameda
The port city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, located on the country’s Noto Peninsula, will be filled with things to do for one week from the end of May as it kicks off its Citizens’ Festival. One of the biggest attractions at the event, which ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 17, 2013
Circle '13 music event features Shutoku Mukai, Clammbon by the sea
by Delilah Romasanta
There’s something to be said about watching a concert outside. The music fills the air and the feeling of summer becomes liberating. This weekend, people in Fukuoka are going to get a headstart on feeling that vibe. Circle ’13 is set to return for ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 17, 2013
Walkathon will feature more than fitness
by Tomoko Otake
Here’s your chance to make a difference while staying fit and having fun. The Nagoya Walkathon — International Charity Festival will be held at Moricoro Park in the city of Nagakute, a suburb of Nagoya, this Sunday. Started in 1992 and sponsored by the ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 10, 2013
'Curry town' to host a festival
by Masaaki Kameda
The city of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is known by many as “curry town.” The port city claims that the curry rice dish that is commonly consumed in Japan spread from its kitchens, as it had a close connection to the Imperial Japanese Navy, which ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 10, 2013
Outlook is rosy at 15th annual garden show
by Tomoko Otake
It’s that time of the year when things get rosy for flower lovers in Japan. The International Roses & Gardening Show, held annually at the Seibu Dome in Saitama Prefecture, will mark the 15th anniversary of its launch this year. To commemorate the occasion, ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 10, 2013
Rice planters put on a show for famed event
by Tomoko Otake
An annual rice-planting festival known as the Mibu no Hana Taue Matsuri will be held Saturday in Hiroshima, giving visitors a peek into the centuries-old popular ritual that was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2011. In the agricultural ritual, which ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 10, 2013
African culture takes center stage ahead of international conference
by Delilah Romasanta
If you missed the African Festival last month, head over to Yokohama this weekend to take part in Africa Festa. Reportedly one of the largest events in Japan aiming to promote relations with Africa, the event is being held ahead of the fifth Tokyo ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 3, 2013
It's not too late for hanami
by Tomoko Otake
This year’s sakura (cherry blossoms) took many people by surprise — especially in the Kanto region. Unusually warm weather in March hastened the peak of the blossoms by a couple of weeks, and by early April, when all the parties by and under the ...
Events Outside Tokyo May 3, 2013
Long-running festival brings flowery floats to Fukuoka this weekend
by Edan Corkill
One of Japan’s oldest citizen-run events hits the city of Fukuoka this long-weekend, as the annual Dontaku Festival winds its way into town. It was back in 1179 that the merchants of Hakata (now a central district of the city of Fukuoka) first organized ...
Events Outside Tokyo Apr 18, 2013
"The Dreams Shown by White Wall: Migishi, Le Corbusier, and Kikuhata"
by Florian Turgeon
Physical space has always been an important element to consider when dealing with painting and architecture. So much in fact, that some artists create their work specifically to be displayed at a certain location. Fukuoka Art Museum explores this relationship with spaces with “The ...
Events Outside Tokyo Apr 12, 2013
'Japan's kitchen' to throw a party
by Florian Turgeon
Known as “Japan’s kitchen,” Osaka takes pride in its culinary tradition. However, foodies in Kansai will soon be able to taste foods from further afield. The International Food Expo Utage, held every four years, will take place at Intex Osaka from April 26 through ...