The world watched in anticipation of a showdown, but the battle of the Conans ended peacefully this week in a small town in western Japan. American comedian and late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien visited the town of Hokuei — dubbed "Conan Town" for its ...

Amid fears the figure will rise further, the number of people dead or in critical condition in Hokkaido following Thursday’s powerful earthquake has risen to 18.

Senior officials in the North Korean government in charge of diplomatic affairs with Japan declare a 2014 bilateral agreement that led to Pyongyang reopening an investigation into the whereabouts of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea as “invalid.”

Official campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election kicks off, setting in motion a two-week race widely predicted to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe three more years in office.

The central government and Kansai region officials push a proposal to temporarily route some international flights to Osaka’s Itami airport and Kobe Airport following the temporary closure of Osaka International Airport.

It's a fast-growing city but with a reasonable cost of living, diverse cuisine and close access to an airport. Plus, the city is willing to support new tech projects. Doesn't that sound like a great place for engineers? That's the sales pitch the city of Fukuoka ...

U.S. President Donald Trump suggests during a newspaper interview that he will take on Japan next in his fight to cut trade deficits with his nation’s trading partners.

There is "lots of evidence" that chemical weapons are being prepared by Syrian government forces in Idlib in northwest Syria, the new U.S. adviser for Syria said on Thursday as he warned of the risks of an offensive on the country's last big rebel ...

As Okinawa continues to be roiled by tensions over a plan to move a key U.S. air base within the prefecture, filmmakers from Iwate Prefecture are using their next documentary to give younger Okinawans a greater voice. Movie director Shinya Todori and his twin brother ...

On July 27, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the Bank of Japan had overestimated the value of mutual funds being held by individuals by about 30 percent. Every three months the BOJ publishes statistics called shikin junkan tōkei that cover the financial assets of ...

U.S. Republicans, Democrats, unions and manufacturers are aboard the anti-China train. What about Silicon Valley?

Motor maker Nidec, a bellwether for manufacturing trends, has been investing heavily in automation.

Following manga artist Momoko Sakura's death last week, fans and media personalities celebrated her work. Most highlighted the influence her series "Chibi Maruko-chan" had on the nation's comic and animation industries. That's a fitting tribute, as her creations not only inspired a generation of ...

If you're in the vicinity of Shin Pond in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, this weekend, don't be alarmed if you're suddenly surrounded by a mischievous gang of goofballs. It's all part of the Hyoge Matsuri, a festival that is held in memory of a samurai named ...

There are plenty of opportunities for people in Japan to interact with Chinese culture, from visiting panda cub Xiang Xiang at the Ueno Zoo to dining out in Yokohama's Chinatown. An event in Yoyogi Park this weekend offers another opportunity. One of the main highlights ...

The organization that bestows the Academy Awards says it is suspending plans to award a new Oscar for popular films at the 2019 ceremony amid widespread backlash to the idea. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says it will further study plans for ...

Two-time defending Top League champion Suntory Sungoliath beat NTT Communications Shining Arcs 20-18 Friday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground to make it two straight wins to start the new season. But for the second week running the champs were forced to dig very deep ...

Hideto Asamura's seventh-inning RBI single snapped a 4-4 tie before the Seibu Lions batted around in the eighth to bury the Chiba Lotte Marines 10-4 on Friday. The win moved the Pacific League-leading Lions five games ahead of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks after the defending ...

It's been a tumultuous offseason for the Kyoto Hannaryz. In the past few weeks, headlines across the nation have generated negative publicity for the club. First, there was the shocking news that Hannaryz big man Yuya Nagayoshi was one of four Japan men's national players ...

Former NBA star Kevin Garnett has filed a lawsuit against an accountant accused of helping defraud the player of $77 million, U.S. media reports said Thursday. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Garnett was suing Kentucky-based accountant Michael Wertheim and his firm Welenken, accusing him ...

Argentine legend Diego Maradona has been hired to coach Mexican second-division soccer club Dorados de Sinaloa, the team announced Thursday, the retired great's latest foray into managing. Maradona's colorful career has included stints coaching the Argentine national team and a series of clubs around the ...

The Toronto Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons will part ways after this season, according to a Fancred report on Thursday. Per the report, nothing is set in stone, but a person familiar with the thinking of both parties called it "99.9 percent done" that ...

World Cup winner France was held to a 0-0 draw by Germany in Munich in a flat start to the new UEFA Nations League on Thursday, as Gareth Bale starred in a big win for Wales. The heavyweight showdown at Allianz Arena between the last ...

Naomi Osaka made history on Thursday, becoming the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final by beating American Madison Keys in straight sets at the U.S. Open. The 6-2, 6-4 semifinal win sets up a Saturday final against Osaka's childhood hero Serena Williams, ...