Japan opens up the armory
JAPAN's easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, as US President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine strain US weapons supplies.
20 injured by unknown sprayed substance
AROUND 20 people were injured at a luxury shopping complex in central Tokyo yesterday after a man sprayed a substance inside.
Ancient Japanese equestrian festival draws 40,000
Armoured horsemen thundered around a racetrack during the main festival day of the Soma Nomaoi, an ancient equestrian event in Minami-Soma, Fukushima prefecture, that drew about 40,000 spectators.
Almost half of elderly women prefer AI for advice
A recent survey undertaken across the country found that almost half of elderly women living alone would prefer artificial intelligence (AI) over humans for advice on interpersonal conflict, a higher percentage than any other age demographic, where consulting directly with a human remains the favoured choice, Kyodo News reported.
Fully farmed eels to be sold for first time
Eels bred in captivity will be sold in Japanese shops for the first time, in a move that could ease eventually pressure on the endangered fish, officials said.
Americans arrested over stunt at baby monkey Punch’s zoo
Two American nationals were arrested in Japan after a stunt in which one entered the monkey enclosure at a zoo where a baby macaque named Punch became a global Internet sensation this year, police said.
Welcome home to fun and fantasy
"Master, mistress – welcome home!" exclaims the smiling young woman in a French maid's costume, as customers pass through the looking glass into a unique Japanese world with oodles of quirkiness, cuteness and cake.
Japan considers missile exports to Philippines
THE defence ministry is considering exports of surface-to-ship missiles to the Philippines, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported yesterday, as Tokyo adopts a more assertive regional security role amid concern about China.
Japan 'robot wolves' in high demand to scare off bears
A Japanese company making ferocious-looking robot wolves is being swamped by orders after record numbers of fatal bear attacks on humans last year.
Ink shortage turns snacks black-and-white
The packaging on some snacks is turning a sombre black-and-white, as the conflict in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient used in coloured ink..
