Mar 25 LGBTQ groups want equality law in Japan before Tokyo Olympics By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press LGBTQ and other human rights activists say the momentum for the law is rising as Japan gets attention over its handling of gender equality, diversity and other human rights issues. Continue reading
Mar 11 Watch 8:24 Japan marks 10th anniversary of Fukushima nuclear disaster By Grace Lee, Nick Schifrin Japan on Thursday marked another grim anniversary: 10 years since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the nation's coast triggered a 130-foot-high tsunami that crashed ashore at more than 500 miles per hour. It killed thousands and triggered a nuclear disaster… Continue watching
Mar 04 Animated ‘Demon Slayer’ strikes chord with Japan amid pandemic By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press The terrifying plight depicted in the swashbuckling animated film, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train," has struck a chord with pandemic-era Japan and possibly with the world. Continue reading
Mar 01 Two Americans who helped former Nissan chairman escape are in Japanese custody By Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press An American father and son wanted by Japan for aiding former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn escape from the country in a box were handed over to Japanese custody Monday. Continue reading
Feb 17 Japan launches COVID-19 vaccination campaign By Associated Press Japan's rollout lagged behind other places because it asked vaccine maker Pfizer to conduct clinical trials with Japanese people, in addition to tests already conducted in six other nations. Continue reading
Feb 15 Japan approves its first COVID-19 vaccine By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan formally approved its first COVID-19 vaccine and said it would start nationwide inoculations within days, but months behind the U.S. and many other countries. Continue reading
Feb 13 Strong quake hits Japan’s northeast coast; no tsunami alert By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press A strong earthquake hit off the coast of northeastern Japan late Saturday, shaking Fukushima, Miyagi and other areas, but there was no threat of a tsunami, officials said. Continue reading
Dec 14 Japan space agency confirms asteroid soil inside landed capsule By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press The pan-shaped capsule was dropped by Hayabusa2 from space into the sparsely populated Australian desert. It arrived in Japan last week for research that will hopefully provide insights into the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. Continue reading
Dec 04 Japan prime minister pledges $19 billion to promote ecological businesses By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Suga, who took office in mid-September, set climate change as one of his main policy goals along with promoting a digital transformation of Japanese society — issues which were left behind by his predecessor. Continue reading
Nov 27 Japan spacecraft carrying asteroid soil samples nears home By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press A Japanese spacecraft is nearing Earth after a yearlong journey home from a distant asteroid with soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system. Continue reading