Japanese astronaut sorry for 9cm ISS growth mistake
A Japanese astronaut has apologised for wrongly stating he has grown 9cm (3.5in) since arriving at the International Space Station (ISS) just over three weeks ago.
The archive
Articles from www.bbc.com — page 9
Browse articles from www.bbc.com in the Akihabara archive.
The Japanese castle that defied history
Kumamoto has seen its fair share of drama over the centuries – but perhaps most famously, it was the site of the final battle between 20,000 samurai and the ruling Meiji government.
Japanese TV show featuring blackface actor sparks anger
The New Year's Eve show featured celebrity comic Hamada appearing in a Beverly Hills Cop skit with his face blacked up. Using makeup to lampoon black people - a practice known as black…
Delicious but deadly mochi: The Japanese rice cakes that kill
Two people have died in Japan and several are in a critical condition after choking on traditional rice cakes as part of the new year celebrations. They may seem harmless, but each year the hard…
Japan court sentences tattooist in 'art or medical' debate
A Japanese tattoo artist who argued he should not have to hold a medical certificate to practise has lost his case and been ordered to pay a fine. Under Japanese law all tattoo artist require a …
Japan's 'golden coder' making games apps aged 82
Masako Wakamiya spotted a gap in the games market - and created a games app based on a traditional Japanese dolls festival.
Japan's elderly offered funeral discount to stop driving
The Japanese authorities have been trying to encourage older people to give up driving after a recent spate of accidents, some of which involved drivers confusing the accelerator and the brake pedals…
Fukushima: Wild boars take over Japan's evacuated towns
Hunters have been called in to deal with hundreds of wild boars who are living in evacuated Japanese towns in the Fukushima area. The area was deserted six years ago after an earthquake and tsun…
Every year, a Japanese village in northern Aomori Prefecture creates field-sized, living, 3D paintings made of coloured rice shoots.
From ground level, it didn’t look like much. In fact, the scene looked like a lot of rural Japan: rice paddies with tender shoots in shades of green, rippling in the wind and stretching off into the …
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Medals to be made from mobile phones
Olympic and Paralympic medals for the Tokyo 2020 Games will be made from recycled mobile phones. The Japanese public will be asked to donate old phones and small appliances to gather two tonnes …