The smallest of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, the rat had only an outside chance in the Jade Emperor's race to determine the zodiac's order. Yet its intelligence, agility and quick-thinking enabled it to win the contest and become the first year ...

An entrepreneur and cultural innovator, Yu Nakamura helps Thai farmers with her coconut sugar business.

As temperatures drop across the country, washi makers nationwide enter their peak production season.

Boars have an inherently bad reputation. Popular culture such as the 1995 comedy "Babe," a film about a lovable farmyard pig that is raised as a sheepdog, may have helped to change this perception in recent times, but the negativity surrounding the animal is even ...

This year marks 25 years of violin study for Daichi Nakamura. His practice has earned him a host of international accolades and the position of guest soloist at renowned symphony orchestras in Europe such as the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Yet the 28-year-old is far ...

An early designing post in Shanghai leads to a full-time business move

For Tomoya Yamashiki, chief strategist of Dandelion Chocolate Japan, Inc., U.S. entrepreneurism opened doors to a new sweet way of life.

Yakushima island's loggerhead turtles are a huge tourist draw, but volunteer conservationist groups are feeling the nightly strain of protecting vulnerable hatchlings.

Naoyuki Kawahara quit his job as a medical attache for the Embassy of Japan in Sudan to set up a non-profit organization, Rociantes, and provide much-needed medical care in Sudan.

After 27 years in the United Kingdom, Blue Badge tourist guide Miki Bartley still loves to show visitors around.