Japan’s Crown Princess Masako says she feels “insecure” about becoming empress in April, but will do her best to serve the people of Japan. Masako Owada will become empress when her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, succeeds his father Emperor Akihito.…
Rescue mission in Japan after two US Marine aircraft collide (BBC)
A big search and rescue operation is continuing in Japan for five missing US Marines after two aircraft with seven crew collided and crashed into the sea. Two Marines were rescued. One is in “fair condition”, while the other “is…
Nissan set to fire boss over ‘misconduct’ (BBC)
Japanese car giant Nissan has proposed removing chairman Carlos Ghosn from his post over financial misconduct claims. The firm said it had been conducting an internal investigation for several months which showed Mr Ghosn had been under-reporting his pay package.…
Drunk pilot admits being 10 times over limit (BBC)
Nervous fliers, stop reading now. A Japan Airlines pilot has admitted to failing a breath test shortly before he was due to fly from London Heathrow to Tokyo, the UK’s Press Association reports. Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, 42, had almost 10 times…
Japanese chief priest to quit after criticising Emperor Akihito
The chief priest at Japan’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine is to resign after making remarks highly critical of Emperor Akihito. In comments leaked to a magazine, Kunio Kohori said he believed Emperor Akihito was trying to destroy the shrine by not…
Haruki Murakami says good writing is what he can do to help people in times of trouble
Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami said Saturday writing good stories is the best he can do for victims of terrorist attacks and natural disasters such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. “I was wondering what could I do…
Prince William mixes up Japan and China (CNN)
Britain’s Prince William is following in the footsteps of his gaffe-prone grandfather, Prince Philip, confusing Japanese food with Chinese food during a public appearance on Thursday. At the opening of the Japan House cultural center in London’s Kensington, near Buckingham…
Typhoon Jebi leaves a trail of destruction in Osaka (Asianews)
At least 10 dead, hundreds of injured and a trail of destruction of buildings, vehicles and roads: these are the effects of Jebi, the worst typhoon to make landfall in Japan in 25 years, and yet another climatic disaster to…
Namibia qualifies for the Rugby World Cup 2019 after winning the Africa Gold Cup
On Saturday 18 August 2018, the Namibia senior rugby team the Welwitschias played against Kenya during the 2018 Rugby Africa Gold Cup, which is also a qualifier for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. An APO press release said…
Japan declares heatwave a natural disaster as death toll soars to record high (Independent)
Japan’s weather agency has declared its deadly heatwave a natural disaster, as the extreme weather continued to break records in the country. At least 65 people died in the week leading up to Sunday, the fire and disaster rescue agency…