Thumbs Race as Japan’s Best Sellers Go Cellular

In Japan, cellphone novels have not only infiltrated the mainstream but have come to dominate it.

Solving a Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside a Cookie

A researcher has traced the origins of fortune cookies to shops near Kyoto, Japan.

Quality Is Major Concern of Toyota’s Visiting Chief

In his first visit to the Detroit auto show, Toyota’s chief executive appealed to his employees to take personal responsibility for the quality of Toyota cars and trucks.

Toyota Will Offer a Plug-In Hybrid by 2010

The move puts Toyota in direct competition with General Motors, which plans to sell its own plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt, sometime around 2010.

Japan Approves Bill on Afghan War

The Japanese government pushed through a special law authorizing its navy to resume a refueling mission.

Japan Prisons Begin Adapting to Elderly

Japan will build wards exclusively for elderly inmates at three prisons to deal with the steep rise in the prison population 60 and older, the Justice Ministry announced Friday.

Fukuda turns to YouTube to reach wider audience

Japan's prime minister has begun reaching out to the world with English-language messages on the video-sharing Internet site YouTube in an apparent bid to raise his country's international profile.

Losing an Edge, Japanese Envy India’s Schools

Worried about its ability to compete with Asian rivals, Japan is in the midst of a craze for Indian education.