As the nation struggles with a shortage of workers and an aging population, experts expect Japan to develop a severe labor shortage around mid-century.

Iran warned on Sunday that protesters will "pay the price" after a third night of unrest saw mass demonstrations across the country in which two people were killed and dozens arrested. As videos on social media showed thousands marching across the country, an official in ...

Fans began lining up at 4 a.m. Sunday to enter Space World amusement park in Kitakyushu for its final day in business. Attendance at Space World, which opened in April 1990, peaked at 2.16 million in fiscal 1997. But the gradual decline in business since ...

A group including state-affiliated research institute Riken has started a joint study to develop technology to analyze human health based on changes in people's hair shape and components. The group hopes to develop such technology in two years to improve lifestyles and propose appropriate supplements. With ...

As Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski scrambled to survive a bid in Congress to oust him in the wake of a graft scandal, his jailed authoritarian predecessor, Alberto Fujimori, called on his loyalists in Congress to save the head of state. The day before the ...

Here are some far-out predictions that, if they come true, would be truly earthshaking. Enjoy, and best wishes for a successful and happy 2018.

What if globalization is just getting started? The resilience of the international system should get its due.

Faithful, intelligent, warm and full of energy, the dog has long held its place as man's best friend. That's good news as we approach 2018, the Year of the Dog, because, according to the Chinese calendar, the next 12 months will be largely shaped ...

What brought you to Japan? I came here for the magic. Osaka is home to some of the best close-up magicians in the world. — Ben Daggers, magician Richard Brezina | COURTESY OF RICHARD BREZINA What's your favorite Japanese word or phrase? I like Japanese tongue-twisters; my ...

Cats may have surpassed dogs as pets in Japan for the first time in more than 20 years, but that hasn't stopped the nation preparing for the year of the dog with canine events and all manner of engimono lucky charms to see you ...

Now that the festive season of partying and extravagance is over, now's the time to take a breather with a return to some of the calmer things in life — tea, coffee and books.

Fate intervened when the heavens opened, guiding Ippei Hayashimoto on his path to mastery in the art of pure buckwheat noodles.

The top court's latest ruling suggests judges will find ways to avoid messy Hague Convention returns that Japan lacks the means to enforce anyway.

Young people in Kansai's commercial hub talk about their wishes for the coming year.

A neighbor recently asked us to sign a petition requesting that the local education committee keep a certain elementary school open. Due to falling enrollment, students who attended the school would be transferred to a different one in the near future. Since the ...

The Kawasaki Brave Thunders are starting to hit their stride. Led by a fierce determination to improve and dynamic defensive tenacity, the 2016-17 B. League championship runner-up Brave Thunders have reeled off six straight victories. For the second day in a row, they seized control in ...

One of the curious things about the current Hot Stove season in Japan has been Shuichi Murata's inability to find a job for 2018. Shortly after the 2017 season, Murata was, somewhat surprisingly, cut loose by the Yomiuri Giants, with whom he'd spent the past ...

Manchester United's dismal run of results in December continued with a third consecutive Premier League draw as it was held 0-0 at home to Southampton on Saturday, dropping to third in the standings. United had top scorer Romelu Lukaku carried off on a stretcher early ...

Kei Nishikori, who has been sidelined since August with a wrist injury, has withdrawn from the Jan. 7-13 Sydney International, the tournament organizers said Saturday night. Sydney International said on its official Twitter account, "Unfortunately Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from (the tournament). We wish him ...