US, South Korea, Japan express concern over North Korea’s ‘malicious’ cyber activities

The US, South Korea and Japan expressed deep concern over North Korea's "malicious" cyber activities to support its weapons programmes, in comments released in a joint statement on Friday (April 7). Crypto currency funds stolen by North Korean hackers have been a key source for financing the sanctions-stricken country's weapons programmes, officials and experts in the...

Japan’s Doan delights in shutting up patronising Germans

Japan striker Ritsu Doan said he was particularly delighted with Wednesday's (Nov 23) stunning victory over Germany at the World Cup after being forced to endure patronising comments before he headed to Qatar. Eight members of the Japan squad play their club football in Germany and it was goals from Freiburg's Doan and VfL Bochum's Takuma Asano...

Satoshi Tsumabuki & Wife Maiko Welcome New Baby

Satoshi Tsumabuki (妻夫木聡/ つまぶき さとし) and wife Maiko (マイコ) have expanded their family with a new addition to the family by welcoming a new baby. The 41-year-old Japanese actor and his 37-year-old actress wife have just confirmed the arrival of their second child via his agency. As you may know, the couple tied the knot...

High costs, Tokyo 2020 bribery scandal weigh on Japan’s Winter Olympics bid

A scandal involving illicit payoffs linked to last year’s Tokyo Olympic Games is continuing to widen in Japan, throwing a cloud over a campaign by the city of Sapporo win the right to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. Residents of Sapporo, the largest city in Japan ’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido, were already divided...

Japan warns of rising security threats in annual defence report

Japan warned on Friday (July 22) of escalating national security threats, including repercussions from Russia's war with Ukraine, Chinese intimidation of Taiwan, and vulnerable technology supply chains, in its annual defence white paper. The report sets out the government's security concerns as it prepares the defence ministry budget request due next month, aiming to build public...

Honda to spend $87 billion on R&D as it revs up electric ambitions

The Honda Motor logo is pictured at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show, in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 22, 2022.Reuters Japan's Honda Motor Co Ltd plans to spend $64 billion (S$87 billion) on research and development over the next decade, the company said on Tuesday, laying out an ambitious target to roll out 30 electric vehicle...

In Japan, relief as South Korea votes in Yoon Suk-yeol as president

South Korea’s president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Thursday.Reuters Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was quick to congratulate Yoon Suk-yeol for his victory in Wednesday’s presidential election in South Korea, while analysts say Tokyo will have breathed a sigh of relief at the conservative opposition candidate’s victory. Speaking just hours after Yoon was declared the winner...

Concert Review: Japan Foundation KL’s MIN’YO Concert Brings Us Closer To Japan

Travelling overseas for holiday has become a luxury most of us can’t even dream of doing due to MCOs and Covid-19 having taken over our lives. Yet, despite this, the Japan Foundation KL still found a way to whisk us on holiday without having to leave the country. In a magical display of extraordinary musical...

Otoha Ayase Dismissed From J-pop Group Kamen Joshi For Filming Adult Videos

Former SKE48 member Yua Mikami is infamous for being an AV (adult video) actress. As it turns out, another Japanese idol attempted to follow in her footsteps. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as well as it had for Mikami. Kamen Joshi (仮面女子) aka Mask Girls member Otoha Ayase (綾瀬乙葉) shocked many when it was announced she...

Japan, US draw up plan for any Taiwan emergency: Kyodo

Japanese and US armed forces have drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Thursday (Dec 23), citing unnamed Japanese government sources, amid increased tensions between the island and China. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own "sacred" territory and in the...