Innovation over tradition sending Dassai sake to the moon

If humans eventually colonize the moon, the early settlers might toast their success with a bottle of sake, realizing the dream of brewer Asahi Shuzo Co.

Yamaguchi-based Asahi Shuzo, known for its Dassai sake brand, in February took a leap forward, unveiling at an event in Tokyo a bottle…[Read more]

Emperor explores his symbolic role in trips to mourn war dead

As Emperor Naruhito travels across the country to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II this year, he is expected to explore how best to pass down memories of the conflict and work for peace in his role as a “symbol” of the country now most of its people belong to…[Read more]

Verstappen wins Japanese GP to close championship gap on Norris

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen led from pole to checkered flag to win the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, his first victory of the 2025 season, with McLaren’s Lando Norris second.

The Dutch Red Bull driver crossed the finish line almost 1.5 seconds in front of Briton…[Read more]

Japan refuses to say if other nations may join fighter jet program

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has refused to comment on the prospect of other countries joining Japan, Britain and Italy in their joint next-generation fighter jet development program in the future.

“We are not at the stage to talk about participation by third countries such as…[Read more]

Some ETC lanes on expressways in 7 prefectures closed after system failure

A system failure on Sunday morning caused the closure of ETC-only lanes at some toll gates on expressways in seven prefectures —Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie.

According to Nagoya-based Central Nippon Expressway, the ETC system failure o…[Read more]

First German woman in space returns to Earth

Scientist Rabea Rogge landed back on the coast of California after four days of orbiting above the Earth. The mission included three other astronauts, all associates of billionaire Chun Wang.

Rabea Rogge, a 29-year-old robotics researcher from Berlin who became the first German woman in space,…[Read more]

Bosnian Serbs declare German official persona non grata

German Secretary of State for European Affairs Anna Lührmann was expelled from the Serb entity of Bosnia in retaliation for German sanctions against the Bosnian Serb leadership.

Bosnian Serb police on Friday expelled a top German foreign ministry official from Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia…[Read more]

German parties press on with government formation despite differences on migration

Germany’s conservatives and Social Democrats (SPD) agreed on Wednesday to go into the next round of negotiations on forming a coalition government despite deep differences remaining on areas from immigration to consumer protection and criminal justice.
Sector…[Read more]

Faeser travels to Amman

The acting Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, has travelled to Jordan to talk to government representatives about refugees, migration and security issues. She is accompanied by her Austrian counterpart Gerhard Karner (photo). Meetings with Interior Minister Masen al-Faraja and Foreign Minister Aiman Safadi are…[Read more]

Germany: Police raids target Eritrean terror group

The nationwide police operation targeted suspected members of the so-called “Brigade N’hamedu” in Germany. The group is believed to have been responsible for violent riots at Eritrean cultural events.

Police in Germany are carrying out a major nationwide raid against opponents of the government…[Read more]

German top court upholds reunification solidarity tax

A judge ruled that Germany’s solidarity tax is still necessary to cope with the costs of reunification. Just 10% of the highest income earners are still subject to the tax, in addition to businesses and investors.

Germany’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday upheld the solidarity tax that was…[Read more]

Window crack found on Tokyo-Osaka bullet train

A window crack on a Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka forced a temporary slowdown, the operator said late Saturday.

A steel plate on communications equipment in a tunnel in central Japan is believed to have detached and hit a window on the No. 16 car of the Nozomi 317 train…[Read more]

Japan hot springs facing water shortages as tourism booms

Hot spring resorts across Japan are facing water shortages as the influx of foreign tourists drives up usage, forcing some onsen to shut down due to inadequate supplies, local authorities say.

Municipalities have restricted new drilling and called for water conservation, though no…[Read more]

Legacy Media Still Trusted in Japan, But Portal Sites Main Source for Latest News

What media do you trust most? The Tokyo-based Kioichō Strategy Institute conducted an online survey of 1,000 people in Japan aged 18 and older to ask this question. The responses, which allowed for multiple answers, showed that traditional media were overwhelmingly…[Read more]

Japanese firm’s rover ends mission on moon, gives up surface exploration

Japanese startup Dymon Co said Saturday its ultra-compact, lightweight rover, which reached the moon aboard a U.S. lander, will not proceed with its planned lunar exploration, bringing its mission to an end.

The Tokyo-based firm’s 498-gram rover, Yaoki, measuring around 14…[Read more]

Japanese university unveils AI program for medical student training

Nagasaki University in southwestern Japan and a local systems development company have unveiled an artificial intelligence program that lets medical students practice interviews with virtual patients on a screen.

The development comes as regional universities struggle to secure…[Read more]

Japan ranks 3rd worst place for working women in 2024 int’l ranking

Japan ranked the third worst place among developed nations for working women for the second year in a row, according to the 2024 index compiled by British magazine The Economist released to mark International Women’s Day on Saturday.

Based on the glass-ceiling index, which…[Read more]

Germany: Hamburg airport cancels flights over sudden strike

Ground staff walked out “without prior notice,” hours before a 24-hour strike was due to begin at a dozen German airports.

Almost all flights to and from Germany’s Hamburg Airport were canceled on Sunday due to a strike by airport workers “without prior notice,” the airport operator…[Read more]

Germany: CDU/CSU alliance and SPD finish preliminary talks

Election winner Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU, its Bavarian sister party CSU, and the Social Democrats (SPD) have taken a major step toward forming a coalition government, the heads of the parties said.

The parties negotiating Germany’s next coalition government have reached an…[Read more]

German election winner Merz moves a step closer to forming government

Conservative bloc and SPD to start full coalition talks as chancellor-in-waiting plans to revive ailing economy

Germany’s conservative election winner, Friedrich Merz, came a step closer on Saturday to forming a government that he says will revive Europe’s top economy and its…[Read more]