Japan

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito succeeds father Akihito

In his first act as emperor, he will inherit Japan's Imperial Treasures in a deeply symbolic ceremony.

The emperor in Japan holds no political power but serves as a national symbol.

Emperor Akihito, 85, who chose to abdicate due to his age and failing health, stepped down on Tuesday.

"I hereby pray for the well-being and happiness of our country and people of the world," he said in his final address.

The new imperial era "Reiwa", whose name signifies order and harmony, began at midnight local time, and will last as long as Naruhito's reign.

Ryan Crotty heading to Japan

The Crusaders centurion and 44-Test All Black has announced he will leave New Zealand rugby at the end of the year, and link up with Japanese club Kubota Spears.

Crotty confirmed the move last night.

"The All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury rugby have been such an important part of my life and I'm grateful for every opportunity I've had to represent my country, my province and my family over the years," Crotty said.

Former All Black Joseph faces up to Japan challenge

He'll have the weight of the host nation's expectations on his shoulders and it's a challenge he's not shying away from.

But who is the man of Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Rarua descent?

Joseph has sport in his blood.

"Very sporting family, both parents played sport and coached sport. Summer's were full of softball, Mum played hockey in the winter. Dad played rugby and softball."

The whole whanau were talented athletes.

Joseph's grandad and great grandfather played for New Zealand Maori, other relatives played for the All Blacks.

Japan not ready for World League: Jamie Joseph

If signed off, the competition will involve 12 teams made up of the four Rugby Championship teams, along with Japan and the United States, and the Six Nations teams in a round-robin competition, but it wouldn't include any Pacific nations.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) boss Steve Tew said the latest proposal isn't acceptable to NZR and the plan has been heavily criticised by the International Rugby Players Council, including All Blacks skipper Kieran Read.

Joseph said they simply don't have the structures in place or the resources to be involved at this point.

Eight players set to debut against Japan

The match will also see the return of 56-test veteran hooker Dane Coles, who has spent almost a year out after injuring his knee ligaments last November.

Many of the first-choice players are heading to London tonight to prepare for their blockbuster test against England at Twickenham, while the rest of the squad remains in Japan.

Coach Steve Hansen has named newcomers loose forward Dalton Papalii and mid-fielder Matt Proctor to start the game, with six players set to debut off the bench.

Japanese company found to have sold defective earthquake dampers for years

Its products are in more than 1,000 buildings across Japan, including high-rise buildings and hospitals.

The Japanese Government says buildings using the defective products are not at risk of collapsing in strong earthquakes — just that they could sway more than expected.

Professor Hiroshi Kawase from the University of Kyoto's Disaster Prevention Research Institute told the ABC that the dampers only activated after a building had absorbed the peak impact of a quake.

He said they were a secondary countermeasure to reduce the sway after a quake hit buildings.

Japan's famed Tsukiji fish market to relocate

The world's largest fish market, which has been in operation for 83 years, is being moved as part of the redevelopment for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The famed tuna auctions are a popular tourist attraction in the Japanese capital.

"I'm almost crying," said retired seafood auctioneer Hisao Ishii, who returned to the market for its last day on Saturday.

"Today is a sad day of goodbyes. Tsukiji tried to meet the times, but it is getting older," he told the AFP news agency.

Powerful storm hits Japan, killing two

Typhoon Trami made landfall on Sunday at 20:00 local time (11:00 GMT) near the western city of Osaka, with gusts of up to 216 km/h (134 mph).

The storm caused widespread disruption, with many flights and trains cancelled. More than 750,000 homes lost power.

At least 120 people were injured. The typhoon comes less than a month after the country's strongest storm in 25 years hit western Japan.

Typhoon Jebi caused widespread flooding and at least seven deaths in early September.

Plight of Honey the lonely dolphin sparks Japanese anger

The female bottlenose dolphin, nicknamed Honey, was captured in 2005 near Taiji, a western port town that has become notorious for its annual dolphin hunt that was featured in the Oscar-winning 2009 documentary The Cove, media reports say.

Belgium 3 Japan 2

After a goalless first half, Japan struck twice in seven minutes following the interval to take full control of a gripping last-16 tie in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui scored stunners as Japan looked set to reach the first World Cup quarter-final in their history.

But, instead, Belgium became the first team to come from two goals down to win in a World Cup knockout game since 1970 and will now face five-time winners Brazil on Friday.