Dozens of hot air balloons from all over the world decorated the clear autumn sky on Thursday as the Saga International Balloon Fiesta opened in the Kyushu city. Pilots fired up balloons with an array of colors and shapes to carry them high above the ...

The launches were unusual in that the North typically conducts them under cover of darkness.

Facebook Inc. delivered better-than-projected sales and steady user growth in its third quarter, proving that its business can endure increasing regulatory scrutiny and criticism over its immense reach and influence. The social media giant's monthly global user base grew by 35 million — including 3 ...

As wholesale prices skyrocket for Pacific flying squid amid a record low catch in Japan, processing companies in the "squid town" of Hakodate, Hokkaido, are scrambling to stay afloat. The squid shortage, caused by fluctuations in ocean temperatures, years of overfishing and lenient regulations, has ...

The resignation marks the second departure from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet in just a week after trade minister Isshu Sugawara resigned Friday.

The mysterious death of over 20 million Akoya pearl oysters in Ehime, Mie and other prefectures this summer is expected to hobble pearl production next year and beyond. While the cause of the die-off is unclear, oyster producers have started taking steps to minimize the ...

Two managers at post offices in Tokyo are suspected of embezzling some ¥540 million by privately selling used stamps earmarked for shredding, sources close to the matter said Thursday. Japan Post Co., a unit of state-backed Japan Post Holdings Co., retrieved the cash and dismissed ...

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut interest rates for the third time this year to ensure the U.S. economy weathers its trade war without slipping into a recession, but signaled it will leave borrowing costs where they are unless things take a material turn ...

The move comes as worries persist over inequalities in opportunities arising from students’ economic situations and geographic locations.

Japan is considering deploying an upgraded version of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptors in the Tokyo metropolitan area before the Olympics next summer, Defense Ministry sources said Wednesday. The deployment of the improved ground-based batteries by units responsible for defending the capital's airspace is planned ...

Japan Inc. is paying dividends like never before, and that's poised to lure more investors, according to Nomura Holdings Inc. Dividends for companies traded on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange reached an estimated ¥14.5 trillion ($133 billion) in August, according to data ...

Armenia on Tuesday praised the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of a resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians a century ago as "genocide," a move denounced by Turkey as "null and void. "I salute the historic U.S. Congress vote recognising the Armenian Genocide," Armenian ...

At least three of the 39 victims found in the back of a truck in Britain last week set off from Vietnam's "Billionaire Village" in search of their fortunes. A billion dong may only be around $43,000, but in the rural north-central town of Do ...

President Jair Bolsonaro threatened on Wednesday to cancel the license of Brazil's largest TV network, Globo, accusing it of "villainous journalism" after a report connecting him with a former police officer accused of killing a Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman last year. TV Globo reported ...

Mexico's government on Wednesday showed dramatic video footage of the moment when its forces briefly captured a son of kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman this month before they were ordered to release the suspected trafficker to avoid a bloodbath. With President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ...

Mosquitoes are much more than a bloodsucking annoyance. For close to half of the world, they represent disease and death. In some tropical regions, they transmit a powerful virus called dengue that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. Dengue is the world's fastest-spreading ...

The latest resignations are symptomatic of broader Japanese Cabinet politics.

The adoption of a social security policy for the purpose of a competition policy must be avoided.

Modern Japanese food in the heart of Japan's most modern city. That's what guests can expect when they walk through the doors of new Tokyo restaurant Hirakawacho Kanaya from Nov. 27. Kanaya Hotel Kanko Group brings its century-long knowledge and history of running ryokan (Japanese ...

In western Tokyo on Oct. 20, locals and visitors at the Fuchu Folk Parade danced in traditional garb to celebrate the city's 65th anniversary. The event included dozens of Japanese taiko drums and dashi festival floats as well as a chance to take part ...

While Halloween has been around in Japan for a few decades it wasn't until recently that it became a true phenomenon, especially at Tokyo's iconic Shibuya crossing.

A writer spends her first Halloween at Shibuya crossing at a street party directed by the Tokyo police.

An interactive attraction featuring a full-scale replica of popular movie monster Godzilla will be launched next summer at a theme park on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, the operator said Thursday. The Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji attraction at the Nijigen no Mori theme park will ...

As the action on talent competition show 'Produce 101 Japan' hots up, we look at its origins in Korean pop music and the original "Produce 101" franchise

As the Tokyo International Film Festival stages a retrospective of his work, filmmaker Nobuhiko Obayashi talks of a past working with movie greats, such as Akira Kurosawa

Brief descriptions of five key matches between South Africa and England ahead of Saturday's Rugby World Cup final at International Stadium Yokohama: The countries have played 42 tests, with South Africa winning 25 and England 15. There have been two draws. 2007 — South Africa 15, ...

Jamie Joseph and his Japan squad have been nominated for World Rugby awards in an elite field that includes the best teams and coaches in the game. Rassie Erasmus and Eddie Jones, who will go head-to-head when South Africa and England meet in the World ...

The adage that rugby games are won up front will never be more true than in Saturday's World Cup final when the massive, mobile packs of South Africa and England clash in Yokohama but the battle of the midfield could be just as crucial. England's ...

After an 0-10 start under new coach Brian Rowsom, the San-en NeoPhoenix have parted ways with the American mentor. Rowsom's contract was terminated on Monday, he confirmed in an email to The Japan Times. The former NBA forward told this newspaper it was a "mutual ...

Japanese captivated by their Brave Blossoms' historic run to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals are suffering a new form of bereavement — "rugby loss" — after their team fell to South Africa. Fans were still feeling bereft days after cheering the Blossoms in their 26-3 ...

It's awards season in Japanese baseball and just like at the end of the actual season, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are front and center. Four players from the recently crowned three-time defending Japan Series champions, the most of any team, were recognized on Thursday when ...

Four-time champion Novak Djokovic overcame a first-set wobble against unheralded Corentin Moutet, beating the 97th-ranked Frenchman 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 to reach the third round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday. The top-ranked Djokovic lost his serve in game seven and needed to save two set ...

England head coach Eddie Jones has warned Rugby World Cup final opponent South Africa that his team is capable of improving on last week's semifinal destruction of two-time defending champion New Zealand when the two sides meet in Yokohama on Saturday. "We can definitely play ...

The Kawasaki Brave Thunders are serious about capturing titles this year, and have played well so far, tying the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins for the curent best record in the 18-team B. League. But the Central Division club does not take anything for granted, knowing there's ...