Japan's traditional sake brewing likely to join UNESCO heritage list

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - UNESCO's advisory committee has recommended adding Japan's traditional sake and shochu brewing techniques to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, setting up formal recognition at the organization's December meeting. The nomination, announced Tuesday by Japan's culture agency, was submitted in 2022. It highlights the unique fermentation process that uses koji mold to simultaneously ferment multiple ingredients, including rice, in a sing

November 6, 2024

Japan, China officials hold talks to pave way for leaders' summit

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Japan's National Security Adviser Takeo Akiba met with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday to lay groundwork for a potential meeting between their leaders later this month. During the 4 1/2 hours of talks in Beijing, they also discussed key bilateral issues including China's restrictions on Japanese seafood imports and security measures for Japanese citizens in China following recent attacks. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru

November 5, 2024

Japan's H3 rocket takes military satellite into orbit

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Japan successfully launched its new flagship H3 rocket carrying a military communications satellite, marking the third straight success for the spacecraft after its failed debut last year. The rocket, jointly developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the nation's leading heavy machinery maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture on Monday to deliver a Defense Ministry satelli

November 5, 2024

Japan railway firm to introduce anti-knife umbrellas amid security concerns

SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - Western Japan Railway Company (JR West) will equip its trains with blade-resistant umbrellas to protect passengers from knife attacks, the company said Monday. The move follows several violent incidents on Japanese trains, including a July 2023 attack that wounded three people on the company's airport service. JR West plans to place two specialized umbrellas on about 600 trains by March 2025, including express services linking Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

November 4, 2024

Japanese nuclear reactor halts days after post-Fukushima restart

SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - A major Japanese utility in northeastern Japan suspended operations Sunday at its recently restarted nuclear reactor, the first to operate in the region since the 2011 disaster. Tohoku Electric Power Co. said it needs to inspect the No. 2 reactor at the Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture after problems emerged with monitoring equipment. The reactor had resumed operations Oct. 29 after meeting post-Fukushima safety protocols. The company said no problems

November 4, 2024

Japan warns against North Korean military support to Russia

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed concern that North Korea's alleged dispatch of troops to support Russia's military operations in Ukraine poses a significant threat to international stability. Speaking at a media briefing in Tokyo on Thursday, Iwaya voiced deep concerns about reports from South Korea, the United States, and Ukraine that Pyongyang has sent military personnel to assist Russian forces. "If North Korea joins

November 1, 2024

Japan imposes tough penalties on dangerous cycling

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - Japan toughened regulations on hazardous cycling behavior on Friday, imposing heavy fines and potential imprisonment for cyclists caught using mobile phones or riding under the influence of alcohol. Under the amended traffic law, cyclists caught using phones face up to six months in prison or fines of 100,000 yen ($656). Those caught cycling with breath alcohol levels above 0.15 milligrams per liter could face up to three years in prison or fines of 500,000

November 1, 2024

Japan forecasts rice output to meet demand, easing shortage concerns

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Japan's rice production is expected to reach about 6.83 million tons in 2024, surpassing projected demand of 6.74 million tons through June next year. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said on Wednesday private rice stockpiles are forecast to recover to 1.62 million tons by June 2025, up from the historic low of 1.53 million tons recorded the previous year, signaling potential relief from recent supply constraints and price es

October 31, 2024

Japan's opposition leader seeks backing for PM bid

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) leader Yoshihiko Noda intensified efforts on Wednesday to gather multi-party support in his bid to become prime minister, following Sunday's general election that stripped the ruling coalition of its parliamentary majority. The political landscape remains fractured after the 465-seat lower house election, where Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its allies secured 21

October 31, 2024

Japan court deems same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - A Tokyo high court ruled Wednesday that Japan's ban on same-sex marriage violates the Constitution, while rejecting the plaintiffs' demands for financial compensation from the government. The decision upholds a 2022 Tokyo district court ruling that found the ban in a "state of unconstitutionality." Seven plaintiffs filed the suit, arguing existing civil law provisions violate constitutional guarantees of marriage freedom and equality.

October 30, 2024