His face weathered from years at sea, kimono-clad fisherman Masaichi Kawasaki kneels before an altar adorned with images of the Virgin Mary, crossing himself as he softly intones chants handed down through centuries. Kawasaki, 69, is one of a dwindling number of Japan's "Kakure Kirishitan," ...

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe surged back to power seven years ago, pledging to bolster the nation's defenses in response to a growing threat from China and aiming to amend the pacifist Constitution. Now on track to become Japan's longest serving prime minister, Abe has kept ...

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 ...

When Prince Hisahito, Japan's youngest prince, visited Bhutan in August on his first overseas trip, just months after his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, ascended to the throne, the visit was regarded as the debut of a future monarch on the world stage. Greeting his hosts in ...

There is a need to improve medical care at immigration detention centers, the head of the country's recently created Immigration Services Agency has said, following widespread criticism of the care available to detainees. The detention system for those who have violated immigration law or whose ...

When Yohei Kono made a landmark 1993 apology to the wartime "comfort women," the chief Cabinet secretary was speaking for a moderate conservative mainstream seeking to reconcile with its Asian neighbors. The term is Japan's euphemism for those who provided sex, including those against their ...

Actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto is angling for a new real-life role in which he leads his novice party and allies to victory, ousts long-ruling conservatives and takes over as prime minister within the next few years. Whether or not he can achieve that ambitious target, Yamamoto ...

When anti-nuclear activist Junko Isogai ran for office in Niigata, her campaign had an awkward dimension: not just speeches and chats with constituents, but efforts to entertain potential backers. "I was asked to pour sake, make flattering conversation and act in a way men wouldn't ...

Miyako Shirakawa was a 19-year-old college student when she was raped by an older man. She said that when the attack started, her mind went blank and she froze up. "When I became aware, he was on top of me," said Shirakawa, 54, now a ...

Emperor Akihito's abdication Tuesday will end the three-decade Heisei Era that began on Jan. 8, 1989, a day after he inherited the throne upon the death of his father, Emperor Showa. During his rein, Japan struggled with economic stagnation and was hit by several natural ...