Man cuts own belly at Tokyo police office

February 22, 2017

TOKYO- A man cut his own belly with a knife near the main entrance of the headquarters building of Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday morning. A police officer who tried to stop the man from using the knife also was

READ MORE

Education minister confirms 17 new illegal job-brokering cases

February 22, 2017

TOKYO- Japanese education minister Hirokazu Matsuno said Tuesday the ministry has confirmed 17 new cases of illegal job brokering for retiring officials that involved the ministry. “The education ministry was systematically involved,” Matsuno told a press conference, announcing an interim report

READ MORE

“Premium Friday” kickoff held in Tokyo

February 22, 2017

TOKYO- A kickoff event was held in Tokyo on Tuesday, ahead of the start on Friday of Japan’s “Premium Friday” public-private nationwide campaign aimed at stimulating consumer spending. “We hope to revive the Japanese economy by encouraging the public to spend

READ MORE

Hiraishi named Ambassador to Chile

February 21, 2017

TOKYO- The Japanese government on Tuesday appointed Ambassador to Zimbabwe Yoshinobu Hiraishi, 60, as ambassador to Chile, effective the same day. Hiraishi joined the Foreign Ministry in 1980. He became ambassador to Zimbabwe in April 2014 after serving as minister at

READ MORE

Japan-EU free trade talks may see further delay

February 21, 2017

BRUSSELS- A further delay is now seen as possible in nearly four-year-old negotiations between Japan and the European Union to conclude an economic partnership agreement. The two sides are believed to be working to reach a basic accord in the free

READ MORE

Anaesthesiologist arrested for having illegal drugs 

February 21, 2017

SAITAMA- A part-time anesthesiologist at a hospital in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, has been arrested for illegally possessing fentanyl, a medical-use narcotic drug, early this month. The Saitama prefectural police apprehended Hajime Narahara, 36, following a report from the hospital that a

READ MORE

Kishida ready to work with McMaster on Japan-US alliance

February 21, 2017

TOKYO- Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida expressed on Tuesday his intention to cooperate with newly appointed US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster to strengthen the bilateral alliance. At a press conference, Kishida said he has heard that McMaster is an experienced

READ MORE

Ruling bloc agrees to put off budget vote on “premium Friday”

February 21, 2017

TOKYO- Japan’s ruling coalition agreed Tuesday to push back a proposed House of Representatives committee vote on the government’s fiscal 2017 budget bill from Friday to next week in view of the “Premium Friday” nationwide campaign starting this week. The accord

READ MORE