InsideJapan News Network
News Archive - December 2008
Wednesday, 31st December 2008
Around 60 flights to and from airports in Hokkaido have been cancelled today (December 31st) as a result of heavy snowfall, it has been reported.
Tuesday, 30th December 2008
Ryo Ishikawa, the Japanese teenage golf star, has been named the country's most valuable performer of the year.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 has finished 42 per cent down in trading at the end of the year.
Major department stores throughout Japan are trying to tempt shoppers through their doors by promoting so-called 'lucky bags' during the New Year.
Monday, 29th December 2008
Japan-based users of the popular Wii games console will soon be able to order food and watch movies on the device, it has emerged.
The New Year travel plans of thousands of people in Japan were disrupted by a glitch in the computer system on which the country's bullet trains rely.
Wednesday, 24th December 2008
A Swiss-born, bilingual monk is helping foreigners to gain a greater understanding of Buddhism in the sacred area of Koyasan, it has been reported.
Taro Aso, the prime minister of Japan, has ruled out calling a snap general election any time soon.
Brits are being urged to wrap their Christmas presents in the traditional Japanese style - using old pieces of cloth and fabric.
Tuesday, 23rd December 2008
The Tokyo Tower, one of the most potent symbols of Japan's resurgence following the Second World War, celebrates its 50th birthday today (December 23rd).
Japan's emperor Akihito celebrates his 75th birthday today (December 23rd).
Monday, 22nd December 2008
Japanese car giant Toyota expects to make its first full year loss in 67 years, it has announced.
Manchester United added new silverware to their trophy tally at the weekend when they won the Club World Cup in Yokohama.
Friday, 19th December 2008
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has cut interest rates from 0.3 per cent to 0.1 per cent today (December 19th) in an attempt to stimulate the country's financial system.
Thursday, 18th December 2008
Passengers travelling on Japan's bullet train system from next year will be able to hook up to the internet during their journey.
Japan Airlines has announced it is to be the first carrier in Asia to carry out a test flight using biofuel.
Winter flights between Japan and Alaska have resumed following the intervention of Alaskan governor and former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Manchester United have made it through to the final of the Club World Cup Final after defeating Gamba Osaka 5-3 in a classic encounter.
Wednesday, 17th December 2008
The original model of Japan's famous bullet trains has been retired after 44 years of service.
The price of shares in the operator of a Japanese social networking site have soared as they made their debut on Tokyo's stock exchange.
The US is to deploy a dozen F-22 stealth fighter jets to Okinawa in Japan next year, it has been reported.
Tuesday, 16th December 2008
The perilous state of the US car manufacturing industry could have major implications for the Japanese auto sector, it has emerged.
Toshihide Maskawa, the Japanese Nobel physics laureate, has said he intends to bury his medal in the ground.
In news that could validate decades of Les Dawson jokes, new research suggests that living with the in-laws can seriously damage your health, particularly if you are a Japanese woman.
Monday, 15th December 2008
Premier League club Manchester United have received a rapturous reception after touching down in Japan to take part in the Club World Cup.
Friday, 12th December 2008
Japan's land ministry is planning to increase the number of dams in the country by about 100 in order to guard against the possibility of major floods, it has been reported.
Japan's first ever freestyle Olympic gold medalist Ai Shibata has announced her retirement from swimming.
A new 23 trillion yen (£169 billion) package to help stimulate Japan's economy has been announced by prime minister Taro Aso.
Thursday, 11th December 2008
Rail passengers running to catch their trains at Tokyo station will be doing a lot more than just saving time.
Students in Japan may be in for a treat ahead of their entrance examinations as food manufacturers in the country increase the number of so-called "lucky" products, according to the Mainichi Daily News.
A condominium complex's home management body and a number of residents in a Tokyo suburb have filed a lawsuit against a professional shogi player, according to the Associated Press.
Wednesday, 10th December 2008
The emperor of Japan may have to amend his official schedule over the coming weeks as he battles with ill health.
Tuesday, 9th December 2008
Japan's biggest discount carrier Skymark Airlines will get back into profit in the next fiscal year, it been claimed.
Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra (SBYO) will playing before audiences in Japan from December 17th to 19th.
The presence of lean beef on Japanese menus could be on the increase as news emerges that the meat is rising in popularity.
Monday, 8th December 2008
Emperor Akihito, Japan's monarch, resumed his official duties today (December 8th) after last week being diagnosed with an irregular pulse.
Moves are afoot to limit the number of taxis driving around some areas of Japan, it has been revealed.
Saturday, 6th December 2008
A schoolgirl has become the first professional baseball player in Japan after signing a contract with Kobe 9 Cruise.
It has confirmed that next year's Japanese Grand Prix will take place at the country's Suzuka circuit as planned, despite news that Honda is quitting Formula One.
Visitors to the Japanese city of Fukuoka this winter will have numerous delicious options available to them in order to warm their cockles, none more so than a bowl of ramen.
Friday, 5th December 2008
More children born out of wedlock to foreign women and Japanese men will be granted citizenship thanks to a new law that was passed today (December 5th).
A Japanese government official has called for mobile phones to be banned in public schools, claiming they they result in the loss of humanity among those who use them.
Academics at Japan's Shizuoka University have come up with a way to recycle a carbon fibre plastic used in sporting goods, it has been reported.
Thursday, 4th December 2008
A Japanese organisation dedicated to studying toilets throughout the world is urging people to help in the fight against climate change by using less toilet paper.
Yoko Ono is to perform at a charity concert in memory of her late husband, John Lennon, on December 8th.
Masakazu Murakami, a disaster management officer in Miyagi, said the earthquake caused no damage to the area's utilities, such as electricity, gas, water and phone lines.
Visitors to Japan hoping to pick up a fishy purchase may be disappointed.
Toshiba has announced it plans to build its first carbon-capture plant in Japan.
Japan joined forces with around 100 other countries to sign a treaty in Oslo yesterday (December 3rd) banning the use of cluster bombs.
Tuesday, 2nd December 2008
Japanese TV formats are becoming increasingly popular around the world, it has emerged.
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