Young Japanese Savor Chance to Play With Their Heroes

Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka have inspired young players by showing them it is possible for Japanese players to succeed on the world stage.

Japan’s Crisis of the Mind

Washington may see Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, as a powerful nation, but the Japanese don’t see themselves in the same light.

Japan’s Ruling Party Faces Political Extinction

Time could be running out for Japan’s unpopular prime minister, Taro Aso, and his Liberal Democratic Party and its half-century monopoly on political power in Japan.

Minister Quits at Bad Time for Japan’s Economy

The resignation of the finance minister, Shoichi Nakagawa, criticized for his odd behavior at a Group of 7 news conference, was a major setback for Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Clinton Offers Words of Reassurance While in Japan

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called the U.S. alliance with Japan a “cornerstone” of American foreign policy.

Hard-Working Man

The Japanese admire Abe Lincoln because he is seen as a self-made man.

In Japan, New Jobless May Lack Safety Net

Hundreds and perhaps thousands of Japanese workers are finding themselves literally cast into the streets as the country’s economy suffers.

Japan's garbage fitness

Jan 30 - Space-starved Tokyo uses green technology to turn garbage into electricity while wooing locals with community-friendly incinerators.

An average resident of Tokyo's 12 million-strong population generates more than one kilogram (2.2 lbs) of waste per day, so garbage officials have been challenged where to put it.

Japan joins anti-piracy patrols

Jan 28 - The Japanese navy will take part in international anti-piracy controls off of Somalia.

Japan has spent months deliberating over their decision to send in naval forces to join others from the United States, India, Russia and the European Union.

In order not to breach their pacifist constitution they will primarily protect Japanese vessels or those that are carrying Japanese cargo and crew.

The Japanese government is considering introducing a new laws permitting them to protect foreign vessels and allowing them to use weapons beyond self-defense.

Japan Says It Will Send Anti-Piracy Force to Somalia’s Coast

Japan said it would deploy its Maritime Self-Defense Force to protect Japanese commercial ships off the coast of Somalia, possibly as early as March.