Japan’s imperial family made an Instagram debut with a barrage of posts on Monday, hoping to shake off their reclusive image and reach out to younger people on social media. The Imperial Household Agency, a government agency in charge of the family’s affairs, posted 60 photos and five videos showing Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s public appearances over the past …
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'Oppenheimer' premieres in Japan months after US release, sparking emotional reactions
“Oppenheimer” finally premiered Friday in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film. Japanese filmgoers’ reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional. Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima when he was 3, said he has been fascinated by the …
Read More »Japan's PM requests meeting with Kim Jong Un to fix 'various bilateral problems' with North Korea
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated Thursday his determination to work toward a summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to realize the return of Japanese people believed abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s. “I remain committed to realizing this for Japan,” he told reporters, while declining to directly address the recent comments from North Korea …
Read More »On this day in history, March 27, 1912, Washington, D.C., cherry trees planted, gift from people of Tokyo
The stunning cherry trees of Washington, D.C., a gift from Japan that blossom spectacularly each spring in a cherished symbol of renewal, were planted by first lady Helen Herron Taft and other dignitaries on this day in history, March 27, 1912. “The blossoms are officially in peak bloom!” the National Cherry Blossom Festival enthused in an online announcement Thursday, marking …
Read More »Why is Japan changing its ban on exporting lethal weapons, and why is it so controversial?
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet OK’d a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets to other countries on Tuesday, its latest step away from the pacifist principles the country adopted at the end of World War II. JAPAN’S PM OFFERED TO MEET WITH KIM JONG UN ‘AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,’ NORTH KOREA SAYS The controversial decision to allow international arms …
Read More »Japan's Cabinet approves plan to develop, sell next-generation fighter
Japan’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets that it’s developing with Britain and Italy to other countries, in the latest move away from the country’s postwar pacifist principles. The contentious decision to allow international arms sales is expected to help secure Japan’s role in the joint fighter jet project and part of a move …
Read More »Japan's PM offered to meet with Kim Jong Un 'as soon as possible,' North Korea says
North Korea said Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “as soon as possible,” but stressed that prospects for their countries’ first summit in about 20 years would depend on Tokyo tolerating its weapons program and ignoring its past abductions of Japanese nationals. Japan acknowledged it has been trying to …
Read More »Japan's emperor and empress visit towns hit by fatal New Year’s Day earthquake
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Friday visited towns in the north-central region of Noto to pray for victims of the deadly New Year’s Day earthquake and console thousands of homeless living in evacuation centers. The magnitude 7.6 quake killed 241 people. Four are still missing. More than 9,000 residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged are still living …
Read More »Spam is sizzling: Global favorite since World War II is at center of sushi craze
Supermarket cheap-meat Spam is surging in global popularity behind an uncanny trend. The catalyst is an international obsession with Spam musubi. Think sushi made with Spam. GRATEFUL DEAD, STEELY DAN SET ROCKY MOUNTAIN RHYTHM FOR DENVER CHEF JUSTIN CUCCI It’s a slice of Spam packed in rice and wrapped in nori, the thin, dried pungent seaweed that’s a signature of …
Read More »Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasts just one inning in highly anticipated MLB debut
The Los Angeles Dodgers proved their immense belief in Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto when they signed him to a record 12-year, $325 million deal in the offseason. Yamamoto made his highly anticipated Major League Baseball debut Thursday in Seoul, South Korea, and it did not go well. The Dodgers went to their bullpen after just one inning after the …
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