Born In 1898: World's Oldest Living Person Celebrates Birthday
Misao Okawa of Japan is now 117. She has reigned as the world's oldest living person since 2013, when Guinness World Records certified that she was 115.
Japan
Hot KISS Buns Are Headed For Store Shelves In Japan
They're dark and intense — and starting next week, a limited number of them will be sold in stores in Japan. Official name? Spicy Chili Tomatoman.
From Soy Sauce To Bullet Trains: Famed Japanese Designer Dies At 85
Decades after Kenji Ekuan created Kikkoman's iconic soy sauce bottles with their red caps, he designed Japan's bullet train, in a career driven by a desire to make good design accessible to everyone.
Video Purports To Show Beheaded Japanese Hostage
The unconfirmed video was released after a deadline to pay a $200 million ransom for the lives of Kenji Goto and Haruna Yakawa passed. It appears to change the Islamic State kidnappers' demands.
Fate Of Japanese Hostages Unclear After Islamic State's Deadline Lapses
A video purportedly by the militants says "the countdown has begun." Japan says it's still trying to secure Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto's release. The Islamists want $200 million for their release.
Islamic State, In Video, Threatens To Kill 2 Japanese Hostages
In a message to Japan's prime minister, the group said it will kill the men unless it gets $200 million — equivalent to Japan's pledge in nonmilitary aid to countries facing threats from the group.
Japanese Tourist Allegedly Kidnapped, Repeatedly Raped In India
The 20-something student was allegedly abducted at the sacred Buddhist site of Bodh Gaya by an organized gang. After being held for weeks, she managed to escape her captors.
Japan's Population Declined In 2014 As Births Fell To A New Low
The country's aging and shrinking population has been an issue of concern and could have severe economic consequences.
Japanese Artist Indicted For 'Vagina Kayak'
Provocative artist Megumi Igarashi has been arrested twice in Japan this year for distributing data that lets people make a 3-D printed kayak that incorporates a model of her genitals.
Japan's Beloved Christmas Cake Isn't About Christmas At All
The Japanese Christmas cake takes its name from the Christian holiday, but it actually symbolizes building a life of prosperity from nothing. And it's ubiquitous (it's even in your smartphone).