Kyodo -- Jun 13
A committee investigating Riken called Thursday for the institute's biological research center to be immediately disbanded because of its failure to prevent misconduct by disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata.
Obokata must also be "severely punished" for her now-infamous stem cell study, the panel of outside experts tasked with reforming the operations of the government-affiliated Riken research institute said in a report.
The proposals in the report are not binding but will be used as a reference by a Riken task force headed by institute chief Ryoji Noyori that will work out steps to prevent a recurrence of research misconduct.
STAP細胞の論文不正問題で、理化学研究所が設置した外部の有識者による改革委員会の提言書が公表された。「研究センターは解体して出直しを」と、厳しく断罪している。
Jan 13
Japanese pop group SMAP is on the verge of breaking up after more than 20 years, sources at the band's agency said Wednesday, in a move that would send shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment industry given the band's popularity at home and elsewhere in Asia. (Kyodo) Jan 13
Twelve skiers who were stranded on mountains in Nagano and Fukushima prefectures have all been brought to safety.
(NHK) Jan 12
Snow fell for the first time this season in parts of Tokyo and Yokohama on Jan. 12, with more expected as a low pressure system approaches the Pacific coast. (Asahi) Jan 12
Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus is rolling out its highest-performance model since the LFA supercar to burnish its reputation among buyers of prestige luxury autos. (Japan Times) Jan 11
Monday marked Coming-of-Age Day, bringing with it the usual festivities that saw Japan's 20-year-olds celebrate their newfound adulthood - each in their own way. (Japan Times) Jan 11
Japan's Defense Minister says his ministry is carefully examining a North Korean video that appears to show a submarine-based ballistic missile test. (NHK ) Jan 11
Fukuoka Prefectural Police are investigating an attempted arson attack that targeted an office of a second-tier gang of the recently troubled Yamaguchi-gumi in Fukuoka, reports TBS News. (Tokyo Reporter) Jan 10
Thousands of people took part in a New Year race at a Shinto shrine in western Japan on Sunday. The winner is crowned the year's "luckiest man." (NHK) Jan 10
Top Japanese brewer Asahi Group Holdings is taking a gamble amid a new wave of global consolidation. (Nikkei) Jan 10
The organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics on Saturday picked four finalists for new emblem designs for the 2020 Games. (Jiji Press)