A-bombed Hiroshima castle main tower to close in March
World 18:28 18/02/2026HIROSHIMA -- The main tower of Hiroshima Castle will close on March 22 due to aging, marking the end of public access inside the building after it was destroyed by the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing and restored as a symbol of reconstruction of the western Japan city.
Japan convenience store chain Lawson to enter India
World 18:26 18/02/2026TOKYO -- Japanese convenience store chain Lawson Inc. will expand into India, seeing high growth potential in the world's most populous country, officials have said.
Japan's economy limps back to scant growth in Q4, raises test for Takaichi
World 12:05 16/02/2026Japan's economy limped back to meagre growth in the fourth quarter, significantly missing market expectations in a key test for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government as cost-of-living pressures drag on confidence and domestic demand.
Thailand, Japan expand footprint in Vietnam’s consumer M&A market
Economy 12:13 15/02/2026Thailand and Japan emerged as the leading sources of foreign capital in Vietnam’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market in 2025, with investors from the two countries particularly active in consumer-focused deals.
Japan, Britain, Italy vow cooperation on fighter jet
World 17:40 14/02/2026TOKYO -- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held talks separately with his counterparts from Britain and Italy in Munich, southern Germany, on Friday, confirming cooperation toward joint development of a next-generation fighter jet.
Weakened satisfaction likely to drive excessive drinking
World 17:40 14/02/2026KYOTO -- A weakening of a mechanism that produces a sense of satisfaction after drinking could lead to excessive alcohol consumption, a team of Japanese and other researchers has found.
Japan approves muscular dystrophy drug price of 300mn yen
World 17:39 14/02/2026TOKYO -- An advisory panel to Japan's health minister decided Friday to allow public health insurance coverage for a gene therapy for muscular dystrophy beginning February 20 and set the drug's official price at about 304.97 million yen.
Kidney drug found effective for infertility treatment
World 18:56 10/02/2026TOKYO -- An oral medicine used to treat chronic kidney disease and heart failure is also effective in treating premature ovarian insufficiency, a team of Japanese and other researchers has discovered.
Sony to end blu-ray disc recorder shipments
World 18:21 10/02/2026TOKYO -- Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp. said Monday that it will stop shipping all Blu-ray Disc recorders starting in February, as the market for such products is shrinking amid the popularity of online video distribution services.
Tough road ahead for Japan's fiscal management
World 18:21 10/02/2026TOKYO -- Despite the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's overwhelming victory in Sunday's House of Representatives election, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration is expected to face challenges in managing economic and fiscal policies.
Japan restarts world's biggest nuclear plant again
World 11:50 10/02/2026Japan switched on the world's biggest nuclear power plant again on Monday, its operator said, after an earlier attempt was quickly suspended due to a minor glitch.
European leaders vow to deepen cooperation with Japan
World 17:07 09/02/2026BRUSSELS -- European leaders vowed to deepen cooperation with Japan after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory in Sunday's House of Representatives election.
