The government will introduce an electronic system for tourist visa applications in April 2020 in an effort to help achieve its goal of 60 million foreign visitors a year by 2030.

In yet another sign of an apparent thaw in sometimes frosty ties between Asia’s two powerhouses, senior government officials from Japan and China attend a two-day symposium in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to formally announce that the government will raise the consumption tax to 10 percent from the current 8 percent in October 2019.

The government will announce an ambitious plan aimed at cutting disposable plastic waste by 25 percent over the next decade while promoting environmentally friendly bioplastics made from plants, sources said Saturday. By setting the goal, Tokyo aims to display its commitment to tackling environmental issues ...

If the U.S. retreats from the Middle East, it will lose whatever restraining leverage it once had over allies and competitors alike and leave behind a more chaotic environment.

Comparing Eisaku Sato's prime ministership with that of Shinzo Abe offers insights into what it takes to create enduring leadership.

Canadian Ambassador Ian Burney has long felt an affinity with Japan both professionally and personally. Prior to taking on his current role two years ago, the trade specialist had been visiting Japan on a regular basis to represent Canadian interests in international negotiations.

You don't need to be in the business to take part in Amazon Tokyo Fashion Week. Here's our pick of related events anyone can enjoy.

There's no shortage of transformative ideas in Japan, particularly in the field of design. This year's Good Design Awards showcased many surprising examples of innovation from Japan and abroad.

Summer's over, it's time for more home activities — gaming, movies, music, even practicing sports in the yard. Here's a few gadgets to help you enjoy your "me-time."

Raising children as a foreign parent here is no picnic, but what about when your child is also coping with physical or learning challenges?

What appears to be lacking are detailed surveys and studies, asking questions of the elderly and disabled people whose quality of life Japan's new legion of robots are supposed to improve.

Six-year-old Ophelia came to ARK with her Labrador friend, Summer, when their former owner fell ill earlier this year. Ophelia is a Borzoi, a breed rare in Japan, but one whose fans are die-hard. Also known as a Russian wolfhound, Borzoi have an exotic ...

If there was any lingering doubt about who Japan's best pitcher was, Tomoyuki Sugano put it to rest. Just like he did the Tokyo Yakult Swallows' season. Sugano sent the Yomiuri Giants to the next round of the postseason in style, twirling a no-hitter in the ...

This time, the verdict was clear. After a loss by the slimmest of margins on Saturday night, Levanga Hokkaido returned to action on Sunday afternoon and salvaged a series split with a comprehensive victory over Sunrockers Shibuya. Hokkaido's 76-57 decision at Aoyama Gakuin University Memorial Hall ...

Jim Taylor, the ferocious Hall of Fame fullback who embodied the Green Bay Packers' unstoppable ground game during the Vince Lombardi era and helped the team win four NFL titles and the first Super Bowl, died Saturday. He was 83. He died unexpectedly at a ...

Three straight two-out, eighth-inning doubles by Haruki Nishikawa, Taishi Ota and Kensuke Konda lifted the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters to a 4-2 win in Sunday's Game 2 of the Pacific League Climax Series' first stage against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. The Fighters now are a ...

Justin Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers know all about performing in the postseason. Backed into a tough spot Saturday, the red-headed slugger delivered once again. Shut down for most of the afternoon, Los Angeles staged another late rally and Turner hit a two-run homer in ...

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Yuta Watanabe was one of 17 players named on Saturday to the team's opening-day roster. The 24-year-old Watanabe signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Grizzlies over the summer. He scored 11 points in the team's victory over the Indiana Pacers in ...

Top pick Almond Eye became the fifth horse to complete the Japanese fillies' Triple Crown on Sunday following a victory at the Shuka-sho. Almond Eye, ridden by jockey Christophe Lemaire, beat Mikki Charm by a length and a half to become the first horse since ...

Goals from Hugo Vieira and Teruhito Nakagawa sent Yokohama F. Marinos into the Levain Cup final after a 2-2 semifinal second-leg draw with Kashima Antlers lifted the hosts to a 4-3 win on aggregate. Vieira, who scored the 95th-minute winner in Wednesday's first leg, opened ...

Four-time Olympic wrestling champion Kaori Icho on Sunday won her first competition since returning from a two-year break after winning gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Icho won three bouts for her victory in the women's 57-kilogram division at the All Japan Women's ...

Fifty years after they raised clenched fists in protest during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the shockwaves unleashed by John Carlos and Tommie Smith's salute of defiance are still rippling around the sporting world. The image of the African-American sprinters standing on the medal podium ...