National
NRA makes new reactor safety regimen official
The Nuclear Regulation Authority officially approves new safety requirements for reactors aimed at preventing disasters like the catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.
National Jun 20, 2013
Tokyo-bound UAL 787 has oil glitch, lands in Seattle
An indication of an oil filter problem prompted the crew of a Boeing 787 flying from Denver to Tokyo to divert to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, a United Airlines spokeswoman said. Flight 139 landed normally and an airline maintenance team was inspecting ...
National Jun 18, 2013
Tokyo leading race for 2020 Olympics, IOC sources say
Tokyo is becoming the favorite to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, notable members of the International Olympic Committee reportedly say.
Politics & Diplomacy Jun 18, 2013
Party chiefs take to the streets for Tokyo race
Party leaders and other figures took to Tokyo’s streets Sunday to drum up voter support ahead of the June 23 metropolitan assembly election, which is shaping up as a crucial contest. The metro assembly poll is widely regarded as a prelude to the July ...
Voices | HOTLINE TO NAGATACHO Jun 18, 2013
Mr. Mayor, tear down this smoking area and make Toshima a true 'safe community'
To Yukio Takano, Mayor of Toshima Ward, Tokyo: I urge you to dismantle the new tobacco industry-funded smoking area in the crowded center of our ward. Please instead respect Toshima Ward’s commitment as a World Health Organization-certified Safe Community and our nation’s obligations under ...
Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT Jun 18, 2013
Democracy, interrupted: How local voices were silenced in Tokyo's first referendum
by Chris Burgess
On Sunday, May 26, something quite remarkable happened in Kodaira city, western Tokyo: Over 50,000 citizens voted in Tokyo’s very first local referendum (jūmin tōhyō) on the issue of whether a 50-year-old plan to construct a road should be reviewed or not. Unfortunately, the ...
National Jun 17, 2013
Tokyo pushes safety, compact size in second pitch for 2020 Olympics
In a presentation here Saturday, Tokyo said that it is the best city to host the 2020 Summer Olympics because of its safe environment and repeated its plan to deliver a compact games. At a general meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees, ...
Financial Markets Jun 14, 2013
Stocks take bearish plunge
The Nikkei stock average plunges more than 6 percent to its lowest level in over two months.
National Jun 4, 2013
Wartime antiaircraft shell detonation halts shinkansen services
An unexploded World War II antiaircraft shell that was discovered just meters from a busy railway halted high speed trains Tuesday in Tokyo before a Ground Self-Defense Force bomb disposal squad detonated the explosive. An off-limits zone was set up around the dud, which ...
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET May 14, 2013
Tokyo: What do you make of Gov. Naoki Inose's comments about Muslims and Istanbul's Olympic bid?
by Mark Buckton
I think many people in Japan see all foreigners as fighting with each other, not just Muslims. But, focusing on the positives [and ignoring Inose's negative comments], I see Istanbul as the better option [to be 2020 host].
Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT May 14, 2013
Inose's slurs anger, bemuse Turks in Tokyo but may boost Istanbul's Olympic bid
by David Mcneill
It's prayer time at Tokyo's biggest mosque and the congregation is pondering God, community and Naoki Inose, the city's governor, who many here say has revealed himself to be, well, a bit of a bigot.
National May 2, 2013
Tokyo dodges IOC penalty for knocking Istanbul's 2020 bid
The International Olympic Committee decides not to penalize Tokyo for Gov. Naoki Inose's disparaging comments about Istanbul's 2020 games bid.
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Apr 30, 2013
Tokyo: What are the best and worst things about living in Tokyo?
by Mark Buckton
I love how Tokyo is a big, chaotic mess, unlike my hometown, and I also enjoy getting lost when I am out and about, but the best thing is that I can eat and drink 24/7.