JAPAN TODAY
 
TOKYO - On January 5, as Tokyo's commuters were struggling back to work after their long New Year break, blaring sirens from every phone pierced the sleepy atmosphere: "strong" earthquake coming.
The message delivered via the country's alert system, part of its much-hyped J-Alert me...

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THE JAPAN NEWS
 
Master director Isao Takahata passed away on Thursday at age 82, leaving significant footprints as a pioneer who had successfully elevated animation — something that had been considered entertainment for kids — to a form of culture representing Japan by tirelessly pursuing how an...

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JAPAN TODAY
 
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked South Korean President Moon Jae In to visit Japan before the planned summit between North and South Korea in late April, Japanese government sources said Tuesday.
He made the request during phone talks with Moon on March 16, but South Kore...

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THE JAPAN NEWS
 
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has done it again.
The Angels’ two-way slugger homered in his second straight home game Wednesday, blasting a two-run shot off AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in the fifth inning of Los Angeles’ series finale against Cleveland.
Ohtani hit a th...

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JAPAN TODAY
 
TOKYO - The government decided Friday to stage a ceremony in October next year to mark Crown Prince Naruhito's accession to the throne, but said female imperial family members will not attend one of the key enthronement rituals.
The enthronement ceremony for the new emperor, now 58,...

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JAPAN TODAY
 
TOKYO - Japan's ruling parties agreed Tuesday to impose weekly and monthly restrictions on the number of visits residents of the country can make to casinos, as lawmakers attempt to prevent problem gambling.
In their talks on a bill that will allow casino gambling in Japan, the Libe...

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THE JAPAN NEWS
 
A nebuta float with a framework of bamboo instead of wire has been brought to life and exhibited at the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse in Aomori. The bamboo nebuta measures about 2.3 meters high, 4.5 meters wide and 2.2 meters deep, and is constructed from 300 bamboo sticks each measurin...

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JAPAN TRENDS
 
JR West has announced that a special Hello Kitty version of the Shinkansen bullet train will be in operation this summer.
Sanrio’s immensely popular cat character will decorate a 500 Series Shinkansen train. So far only concept art images are available but, needless to say, it adhe...

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ROCKET NEWS
 
The popular Japanese sweets maker suggests a bold new way to eat cake.
Ginza Cozy Corner, known for their wide range of attractive yet affordable cakes and pastries, are currently running an interesting campaign that combines western-style cake with Japanese culture in an unexpected...

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JAPAN TRENDS
 
Leading Japanese confectionery brand Glico has created what will surely be one of the best commercials of the year.
Using 72 actresses of different ages, it charts a single woman’s life.
The 71.8-Second Life video relies only on simple editing and precisely choreographed performers...

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