The sōgō shōsha's organization and business model is unique to Japan. This is, for the most part, because they are a reflection of Japan's own unique economic development, first during the Meiji Restoration's period of rapid industrialization and commercialization aimed at building a strong ...

As the United States’ commitment to global leadership and principles grows ever more uncertain under President Donald Trump, Japan finds itself with little choice but to look beyond its closest ally to ensure economic and military security, according to analyst Ian Bremmer, the head ...

Yoshito Sengoku, who served as the top government spokesman and an administrative reform minister when the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan was in power, died of lung cancer last week, the Lower House secretariat said Tuesday. He was 72. Sengoku concurrently served as the minister ...

Sakae Muto said re-examining an estimate on tsunami risk was appropriate, citing what he says was the low credibility of the data used for the projection.

The seven-story tower with a glass exterior near Tokyo's trendy Omotesando district serves not just as a co-working space with computers and free Wi-Fi. There is also a pantry, a bar counter and a spacious lounge where you can drink freshly roasted coffee and ...

Japan's biggest electronics trade show kicked off Tuesday, offering a future peek at how the latest technologies can be integrated into everyday living. This year's CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture is still making a push to cast off ...

An extreme close-up shot capturing a delicate sakura cherry blossom clothed in white floating on a tranquil surface of water won the Prince Takamado Memorial Prize in this year's version of the Japan Through Diplomats' Eyes annual photo competition. Without gaudy hue embellishing the bloom, ...

Support groups for detainees had complained that the cameras, set up after cases of vandalism, violated the privacy of those held there.

The estimated number of foreign visitors totaled 2,159,600 in September, down 5.3 percent from the year before, amid a string of natural disasters.

China issued Tuesday an ardent defense of its alleged mass internment of minorities in far west Xinjiang region amid a global outcry, with a regional official insisting that authorities are preventing terrorism through "vocational education" centers. Beijing has sought to counter criticism with a series ...

The 1,103 cases reported this year through Oct. 7 represent an increase of 135 from the previous week and around a twelvefold jump from the previous year.

Consumers and businesses had a mixed response to the Abe government's decision Monday to lift the consumption tax rate to 10 percent next October as planned, with some understanding the need to restore fiscal health and others concerned about the impact on the economy. Retail ...

Masayoshi Son has already paid a price for his close ties to Saudi Arabia. It could soon go much higher. Shares in Son's SoftBank Group Corp. plummeted the most in more than two years Monday after Saudi Arabia came under fire for the disappearance of ...

The Imperial Household Agency said Monday it will jointly excavate Japan's largest ancient mounded tomb, together with a local government, for the first time. The agency had restricted surveys of Daisen Kofun, which was first built in the fifth century and is officially designated as ...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un insists Pyongyang has made "many concessions" to Japan over the abduction issue, arguing that Tokyo is to blame for the deadlock in talks on the matter, a person familiar with the situation said Monday. Kim has expressed the view ...

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday "rogue killers" may have been behind the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet King Salman over the case. Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, Washington Post columnist and leading critic ...

Those warning about artificial intelligence's dangers are right to invoke Pandora and her jar of miseries.

How can America fix its epidemic of loneliness?

Showcasing 170 blades, 19 of which are National Treasures and 61 are Important Cultural Properties, "Swords of Kyoto: Master Craftsmanship from an Elegant Culture" is the largest sword exhibition in the Kyoto National Museum's 120-year history.

Oct. 20-Jan. 20 Although many are familiar with astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) and his book "On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres," little is known about the initial printing of his work. Printing, introduced in Europe during the 15th century, had a major impact on ...

Oct. 19-March 17 Next year marks the Shiseido Gallery's 100th anniversary. Shinzo Fukuhara (1883-1948), the founder and first president of Shiseido Company Ltd., was not just a successful businessman, he was also an acclaimed photographer who enjoyed capturing the spirit of early modern Japan and ...

Oct. 27-Nov. 18 In 2015, Art Gallery Artium launched its first group exhibition series themed on "region," choosing its participants from a public art competition. As part of that project, "Local Prospects 4" focuses on artists based in Kyushu, Okinawa and nearby areas, and features ...

Takumi Minamino scored a brace, while Ritsu Doan netted his first international goal, as Japan's rising stars spearheaded a 4-3 win over Uruguay on Tuesday night. In their third outing under manager Hajime Moriyasu, the Samurai Blue displayed an impressive attacking game as they outplayed ...

Although the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks failed to repeat as Pacific League champions, they have what it takes to beat the new champs, the Seibu Lions, and reach the Japan Series for the fourth time in five years. The race for the brass ring heats up ...

The chairman of Tottenham opposes the Premier League club's temporary home of Wembley Stadium being sold to a rival for both soccer and NFL. With building work on its own new stadium in London overrunning by several months, Tottenham has been rescued by the English ...

Former professional four-organization minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama will be granted his wish to receive an amateur license from the Japan Amateur Boxing Federation, it was announced at a news conference on Tuesday. The JABF said that Takayama, 35, would officially be registered as an amateur ...

A pick, a beneficial penalty and a game-winning kick. Quite a final minute for the Green Bay Packers. Mason Crosby kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to cap an 81-yard drive set up by Kevin King's interception with 1:07 left, and the Packers outlasted ...

The Milwaukee Brewers know they can count on their intimidating bullpen to get outs. They may not have been expecting a twice-demoted shortstop to generate so much offense. Jhoulys Chacin combined with four relievers on a five-hitter and Orlando Arcia hit a two-run homer in ...

Kaori Sakamoto took the skating world by storm last season in her first year as a senior competitor. The 18-year-old finished second at Skate America last November, then took second again at the Japan championships in December to earn one of the two spots for ...