By Jack TarrantTOKYO (Reuters) - Organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are still debating changes to the timing for the marathon, with plans to introduce daylight savings at the Games to avoid the worst of Japan's scorching August heat looking doomed.gi The start time of the marathon, the event with the longest duration outside, was likely to be brought forward by one hour to 0600 local time (2100GMT) to avoid the highest temperatures, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported on Wednesday.The original start time was 0700 for both the women's marathon on Aug. 2, and the men's event scheduled for the final day of competition, as per tradition, on Aug. 9.Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori had previously requested Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to adopt daylight saving time in order to host events in cooler hours. However, NHK said that a panel of the governing Liberal Democratic Party have abandoned these plans."We understand the ruling party of the national government held a study group … [Read more...] about Discussions ongoing over Tokyo 2020 marathon timing to avoid heatwave
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AP Explains: Dispute between Seoul, Tokyo over WWII brothels
Updated 3:54 am PST, Wednesday, November 21, 2018 A statue of a girl representing thousands of Korean women enslaved for sex by Japan's imperial forces before and during World War II, is seen as participants hold signs reading "Reconciliation and Healing Foundation" during a weekly rally against Japanese government near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. South Korea said Wednesday it will dissolve a foundation funded by Japan to compensate South Korean women who were forced to work in Japan's World War II military brothels. less A statue of a girl representing thousands of Korean women enslaved for sex by Japan's imperial forces before and during World War II, is seen as participants hold signs reading "Reconciliation and Healing ... more Photo: Lee Jin-man, AP … [Read more...] about AP Explains: Dispute between Seoul, Tokyo over WWII brothels
Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn arrested in Tokyo
Authorities in Tokyo on Monday arrested Carlos Ghosn, chairman of Nissan Motor Co., for alleged financial misconduct related to suspicion of violating a financial law. Ghosn was initially interviewed by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding a whistleblower probe conducted internally by Nissan. The investigation concluded that Ghosn under reported his income by reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that were less than the actual amount, in addition to a numerous other acts of misconduct, and was subsequently arrested. Prosecutors also arrested Greg Kelly, a Nissan representative director, who was found to have been deeply involved with Ghosn for many years in the alleged misrepresentation of their compensation in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report. Ghosn and Kelly are also alleged to have used company assets for personal use, and misrepresented the spending of the company’s investment, among other … [Read more...] about Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn arrested in Tokyo
IKEA to open first urban store in trendy Tokyo district
TOKYO (Reuters) - IKEA plans to open its first store in central Tokyo in 2020 and has chosen a neighbourhood that draws young shoppers and tourists, in a departure from its usual suburban locations. The 2,500 square metre shop will open in the spring of 2020 in Tokyo's Harajyuku district, which is known as a mecca for youth fashion and also attracts tourists, IKEA Japan said on Thursday in a statement on its website. After decades of rapid growth, the world's biggest furniture brand is battling to adapt to the rise of online rivals such as Amazon <AMZN.O> and made.com, while also trying to maintain its hallmark affordability amid rising raw material and other costs. Inter IKEA, the owner of the IKEA furniture brand, reported a drop in annual underlying profit on Monday, hit by higher wood and metal prices. (Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Alexander Smith) … [Read more...] about IKEA to open first urban store in trendy Tokyo district
A slice of Japan: Tokyo’s pizza makers
If you're searching for the best Neapolitan pizza in the world, you'd probably head to Naples, Italy. After all, it is the birthplace of the namesake pie known for its San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella di bufala. But now some of the world's tastiest pizza is being made in Tokyo, Japan. Tsubasa Tamaki is a pizza maker who has never set foot in Italy. "Of course, I would like to visit Italy," said Tamaki. "But in my mind, I want to focus on creating Japanese Neapolitan pizza." "What makes your pizza Japanese-style?" asked correspondent Ben Tracy. "Giving the pizza a salt punch is Japanese-style," he replied. Tamaki throws the salt directly into the oven, where it bakes into the dough, enhancing the flavor. He also pushes his pizzas closer to the fire than the Italians do, in search of the perfect char. His oven is heated to a searing 900°, resulting in pies that are too hot to handle if you're in a hurry. But what really sets Tamaki's pizza apart is the handful of … [Read more...] about A slice of Japan: Tokyo’s pizza makers