Glendale looks to avoid Cardinals parking lawsuit
The Glendale City Council will vote on a plan Tuesday to solve a parking dispute with the Arizona Cardinals and avoid a $67 million lawsuit threatened by the National Football League team. The Glendale council will vote on a plan to lease just under 10 acres of land from the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue. The city would lease the land for $9,000 a year. The land will yield 1,000 parking spots. The city also wants to pay Westgate City Center owners iStar...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=0Ahk4rQ_CQQ:6GLEurxYnnk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=0Ahk4rQ_CQQ:6GLEurxYnnk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=0Ahk4rQ_CQQ:6GLEurxYnnk:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=0Ahk4rQ_CQQ:6GLEurxYnnk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=0Ahk4rQ_CQQ:6GLEurxYnnk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=0Ahk4rQ_CQQ:6GLEurxYnnk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/0Ahk4rQ_CQQ" height="1" width="1"/>
AZTechBeat starts coverage for Arizona software industry
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/Shojaee_Hamid*100.JPG?v=1'>Hamid Shojaee is adding publisher to a bio that includes tech entrepreneur, software CEO and incubator developer. Shojaee, CEO of Axosoft in Scottsdale, launched his latest creation, AZTechBeat.com, earlier this week as a way to provide more in-depth coverage of the state?s software and technology industry than what currently exists. It?s not just the coverage that is lacking, but an overall sense that software isn?t a viable industry in Arizona, despite numerous startups, Shojaee said. ?Facebook...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=Iqab_ZB9Vgs:QS-YWBfnOy0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=Iqab_ZB9Vgs:QS-YWBfnOy0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=Iqab_ZB9Vgs:QS-YWBfnOy0:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=Iqab_ZB9Vgs:QS-YWBfnOy0:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=Iqab_ZB9Vgs:QS-YWBfnOy0:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=Iqab_ZB9Vgs:QS-YWBfnOy0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/Iqab_ZB9Vgs" height="1" width="1"/>
Hostess Brands bankruptcy could mean 130 Arizona job cuts
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/HostessTwinkies*100.jpg?v=1'>If Hostess Brands Inc. ? the maker of Twinkies, Wonder bread and Ding Dongs ? can?t solve its financial trouble via Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company could liquidate. That would result in 130 job cuts in Arizona and Hostess closing 16 locations statewide. The company has already reported the possible cuts and closures to the state of Arizona. Five locations in the Phoenix area would be impacted. Hostess is trying to reorganize and work out debt and financial troubles via bankruptcy proceedings,...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=egB-Gk-t_2k:APN60DXKqdo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=egB-Gk-t_2k:APN60DXKqdo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=egB-Gk-t_2k:APN60DXKqdo:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=egB-Gk-t_2k:APN60DXKqdo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=egB-Gk-t_2k:APN60DXKqdo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=egB-Gk-t_2k:APN60DXKqdo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/egB-Gk-t_2k" height="1" width="1"/>
A rundown of the AZBio Expo from A to Z
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/azbio%201%20Barb%20breakfast*100.jpg?v=1'>More than 250 people attended the Arizona BioIndustry Association?s Expo on May 17, providing a wealth of panel discussions and networking opportunities. Click the image to the right for a slide show and rundown of activities at the conference. At the event, BioAccel CEO MaryAnn Guerra announced that biotech startups can apply for up to $300,000 in seed funding and have an opportunity to take free space at the Bioinspire incubator in Peoria. ?This level of investment is a game changer for...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xqVBDlmYS9c:-a4hyr3_97s:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xqVBDlmYS9c:-a4hyr3_97s:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=xqVBDlmYS9c:-a4hyr3_97s:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xqVBDlmYS9c:-a4hyr3_97s:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=xqVBDlmYS9c:-a4hyr3_97s:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xqVBDlmYS9c:-a4hyr3_97s:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/xqVBDlmYS9c" height="1" width="1"/>
Whisenhunt among Top 10 highest paid coaches in pro sports
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/andy%20reid*100.jpg?v=1'>Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt ranks as the eighth highest paid coach in professional sports with a $5.75 million per season salary. That is according to Forbes magazine?s list of the Top 10 highest paid coaches in North American professional sports. Whisenhunt ties for 8th place with Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt, 50, has a 43-41 record with the Cardinals over five seasons. Click the image to the right to see the Top 10 and how much each coach makes.<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=u47iOIUOPgM:BvDSfmrla8g:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=u47iOIUOPgM:BvDSfmrla8g:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=u47iOIUOPgM:BvDSfmrla8g:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=u47iOIUOPgM:BvDSfmrla8g:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=u47iOIUOPgM:BvDSfmrla8g:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=u47iOIUOPgM:BvDSfmrla8g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/u47iOIUOPgM" height="1" width="1"/>
Ken Bennett comments stir up Obama 'birther' buzz
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/ken%20bennett*100.png?v=1'>Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett is generating plenty of national political buzz today for telling KFYI-AM 550 this morning he could keep President Barack Obama off the November ballot unless he receives some more information from the state of Hawaii confirming the president?s birthplace. Bennett?s comments come after a report from Breitbart.com that old Obama literary biographies said he was born in Kenya. A literary agent is now saying that Kenyan birth entry was a mistake. Still, Obama?s...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=kHoggcTpnII:04JoxB3R0HY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=kHoggcTpnII:04JoxB3R0HY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=kHoggcTpnII:04JoxB3R0HY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=kHoggcTpnII:04JoxB3R0HY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=kHoggcTpnII:04JoxB3R0HY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=kHoggcTpnII:04JoxB3R0HY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/kHoggcTpnII" height="1" width="1"/>
Wave of NFL concussion lawsuits could flow down to teams, doctors, other sports
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/Leach,-Travis*100.jpg?v=1'>The wave of concussion-related lawsuits against the National Football League could reverberate down to individual teams, their executives, coaches and team doctors. Attorneys also warn there also could be similar suits filed against college and even high school football programs as well as other sports like hockey and lacrosse. Most of the current cases have been brought by former players against the NFL, a $9 billion a year business and potential cash cow for plaintiffs and their attorneys. Travis...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=G1F6s3-yg4g:X8aOLKiNc1U:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=G1F6s3-yg4g:X8aOLKiNc1U:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=G1F6s3-yg4g:X8aOLKiNc1U:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=G1F6s3-yg4g:X8aOLKiNc1U:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=G1F6s3-yg4g:X8aOLKiNc1U:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=G1F6s3-yg4g:X8aOLKiNc1U:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/G1F6s3-yg4g" height="1" width="1"/>
BBB announces Arizona Ethics Award winners
The Better Business Bureau of Central, Northern and Western Arizona has named five Arizona winners of its 11th annual Business Ethics Awards. The winners were announced May 17. They were: Convertabath Inc. of TempeIntegrity Tree Service Inc. of ScottsdaleArizona Fire and Water Restoration Inc. of PhoenixSchumacher European Ltd. of ScottsdaleBlackstone Security Services Inc. of Phoenix ?The companies selected not only practice ethical behavior within their organization, they also serve as advocates...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=EWBtCgQr2RQ:f-kfGF2m3Vo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=EWBtCgQr2RQ:f-kfGF2m3Vo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=EWBtCgQr2RQ:f-kfGF2m3Vo:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=EWBtCgQr2RQ:f-kfGF2m3Vo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=EWBtCgQr2RQ:f-kfGF2m3Vo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=EWBtCgQr2RQ:f-kfGF2m3Vo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/EWBtCgQr2RQ" height="1" width="1"/>
Fuego CityScape set for downtown Phoenix debut
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/prime_cuts/Moloznik_Jeff*100.png?v=1'>The Fuego Restaurant Group will open its fourth Phoenix-area location this summer with Fuego CityScape in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant, which will serve modern Mexican cuisine, is set to open the first week of June at the downtown mixed-use development. ?The atmosphere will be intimate, romantic and elegant,? said owner Jeff Ward. Other local Fuego brands include Fuego Bistro, Fuego Tacos and Fuego Cantina. Ward opened Fuego Bistro, his original restaurant, in 2006, right as the recession...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=MBjqqs1S_mU:UV5ysrON0Dc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=MBjqqs1S_mU:UV5ysrON0Dc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=MBjqqs1S_mU:UV5ysrON0Dc:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=MBjqqs1S_mU:UV5ysrON0Dc:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=MBjqqs1S_mU:UV5ysrON0Dc:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=MBjqqs1S_mU:UV5ysrON0Dc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/MBjqqs1S_mU" height="1" width="1"/>
Peoria offering $1.2M in seed funding for biotech startups
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/Guerra_MaryAnn*100.JPG?v=1'>MaryAnn Guerra, the CEO of BioAccel, announced Thursday at the Arizona BioIndustry Association?s Expo that applications are now being accepted for $1.2 million in seed funding for biotech startups. Companies and entrepreneurs selected will be eligible for free or reduced lab and office space at Bioinspire, an incubator at 13660 N. 94th Drive in Peoria. The incubator is a partnership between BioAccel, The Plaza Cos. and the city of Peoria. The money is coming from the city?s budget. Each company...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=5QVQT6VBY-8:BkneIUVTZ_g:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=5QVQT6VBY-8:BkneIUVTZ_g:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=5QVQT6VBY-8:BkneIUVTZ_g:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=5QVQT6VBY-8:BkneIUVTZ_g:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=5QVQT6VBY-8:BkneIUVTZ_g:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=5QVQT6VBY-8:BkneIUVTZ_g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/5QVQT6VBY-8" height="1" width="1"/>


Sword-wielder lops off realtor's arm, wounds two others before capture
A 63-year-old Tokyo man was arrested Friday after chopping off the left arm of an Utsunomiya real estate agency head with a samurai sword and seriously wounding two others. (Japan Times)
Japan mayor: I wouldn't hire tattooed stars Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga
Even Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Lady Gaga would not be welcome to work for the Japanese city of Osaka because of their tattoos, its mayor said amid a backlash over his stance against body art. (MSNBC)
Gonorrhea superbug spreads in Japan <p>
Scientists have found a drug-resistant strain of gonorrhea in Japan they say could transform a once easily treatable infection into a global public health threat (sfgate.com)
Japan's emperor arrives in London for jubilee state visit
Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have arrived in London for a five-day state visit that includes celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. (CBS News)
Japan seeks 15 pct summer power savings in Kansai
Japan's government urged businesses and consumers in western Japan on Friday to make power savings of 15 percent this summer to cope with shortages due to the closure of all the nation's nuclear reactors after the Fukushima crisis, but stopped short of the mandatory limits imposed last year in eastern Japan. (Reuters)
Tsunami debris cleanup plan lacking
It's been 14 months since a massive tsunami swept over parts of Japan, but federal officials still lack a comprehensive plan for detecting and disposing of the resulting debris that is expected to make landfall on the West Coast by sometime next year, a Senate panel was told Thursday. (Seattle Times)
Japan whale ships leave for the Pacific
A pair of Japanese whaling vessels has left for the northwestern Pacific aiming to catch 260 whales for "scientific research", a fisheries ministry official says. (The Australian)
Nikkei rebounds on stock buybacks
Stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange bounced back Thursday, as mainstay issues of the benchmark Nikkei average attracted buybacks. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed up 75.42 points, or 0.86 percent, at 8,876.59. (Yomiuri)
Asakusa festival bans coats with gang names
The organizer of the Sanja Matsuri festival in Tokyo's Asakusa district has decided to ban members of organized crime groups from wearing hanten coats bearing their groups' names at the event, it has been learned. (Yomiuri)
British politician: Schools must learn from Japan
Stephen Twigg, shadow education secretary of Britain's largest opposition party, has proposed the country learn from Japan to improve its classroom teaching style, which he feels has remained stagnant for more than a century, the BBC reported online. (Yomiuri)
Osaka govt finds 110 tattooed employees
The Osaka city government has learned 110 of its employees have tattoos. The number includes 73 employees of the Environment Bureau, 15 of the Transportation Bureau and seven from the Public Works Bureau, suggesting sections involving fieldwork such as garbage collection and subway operation employ many tattooed workers, officials said Wednesday. (Yomiuri)
Japanese banks in Asia
There are two, potentially overlapping, ways in which Asia's export-driven economies could suffer from the euro crisis. One is from the slowdown in trade to Europe. The other is the drying up of finance, from trade credit to syndicated loans, extended by euro-zone banks. On neither score is Asia as vulnerable as it was after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, argued Iwan Azis of th (The Economist)
Japan storm over 'Beat' Takeshi anti-gay comments
Gay rights campaigners in Japan hit out Thursday at Takeshi 'Beat' Kitano after the award-winning actor-director compared same-sex marriage with bestiality. (AFP)
Lady Gaga sings at karaoke bar in Japan
Between performing sold-out shows for her "Born This Way Ball" tour in Japan, the "You & I" singer, 26, joined famed photographer Terry Richardson for a wild night out - that ended at a karaoke bar! (celebuzz.com)
Parts of Japan see record-high CO2 levels
The average monthly concentration of carbon dioxide has topped 400 parts per million in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, the first time this level has been reached in Japan, raising alarm about greenhouse gases that can cause global warming. (Yomiuri)
Japan launches commercial rocket business
Japan launched for the first time early Friday a rocket with a non-Japanese payload, fulfilling a spare-no-expense, two-decade quest to compete in the world's $4.3 billion commercial satellite-launch business. (Wall Street Journal)
Woman stabbed to death in Chiba apartment
A woman was stabbed to death in her apartment on Wednesday morning in an apparent robbery-murder, police said. (NewsOnJapan.com)
Japan melons fall short at 'only' $15,700 for two
A box set of two cantaloupe melons has been sold at auction in Japan for one million yen (S$15,750), but in a possible sign of the financial times, went for less than half the all-time record. (Straits Times)
Japan GDP Is best of a bad bunch
Japan's economy kicked off the year generating growth that puts most rest of the industrialized world to shame. Gross domestic product expanded at an annualized rate of 4.1% in the January-March quarter. (Wall Street Journal)
Man gets 17 years for child porn
The U.S. Federal District Court in Riverside, California, has sentenced a Japanese man to 17 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for conspiracy to advertise child pornography on the Internet, the Justice Department said Tuesday. (Japan Times)
Power saving reduced heat island effect
Last summer's energy-saving drive alleviated the heat island effect in Tokyo, with the temperature difference between central and suburban areas in the capital shrinking by up to 0.67 C compared with the previous year, researchers have found. (Yomiuri)
Imperial couple set out for British queen's fete
The Emperor and Empress departed for an official visit to Britain on Wednesday morning to attend events celebrating the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne. (Yomiuri)
DoCoMo to launch smart phones for elderly
Leading Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo on Wednesday unveiled its first smart phone specially designed for elderly users, as the company bids to tap into an ageing consumer population. (AFP)
Toyota rolls out redesigned Corolla
For four guys going golfing in Japan's picturesque countryside over the weekend, there's slim pickings when it comes to small fuel-economy vehicles big enough to fit clubs and all passengers. (Wall Street Journal)
Japanese 'island' claims dismissed by UN
Tokyo's bid to upgrade the status of a Pacific atoll into an island, and claim an exclusive economic zone around it, was dismissed by the United Nations. (China Daily)
Japanese lesbian can't wait for Disneyland 'wedding'
Like many Japanese women, Koyuki Higashi adores Tokyo Disneyland. So it was only natural that she would want to hold her wedding there, as many other couples have done. (Reuters)
Nikkei falls 0.9 pct, deep in 'oversold' territory
Japan's Nikkei average fell 0.9 percent on Wednesday as investors cut exposure to risky assets after the failure of Greek politicians to form a government raised the prospect leftists opposed to bailout terms could win new elections. (Reuters)
Japan penguin escapee 'spotted' in Tokyo Bay
A penguin which escaped from Tokyo's Sea Life Park has reportedly been spotted swimming in waters around the Japanese capital. (BBC)
3-yr-old boy, left home alone, falls to death from 11th-floor balcony
A three-year-old boy fell to his death from the balcony of his 11th-floor apartment in Adachi Ward on Tuesday after his parents left him home alone. (Japan Today)
Okada bets to win with fine dining and casinos
Kazuo Okada, the Japanese billionaire engaged in a fierce legal battle with Las Vegas casino tycoon Steve Wynn, is diversifying his pachinko company with a string of his own restaurants and is negotiating to build a casino resort in South Korea. (Reuters)
China, Japan, US to witness 'ring' solar eclipse
At sunrise in some parts of China and Japan and by sunset in the western United States, a partial solar eclipse is set to slink across a narrow swath of the Earth on May 20 and 21. (AFP)
BOJ misses JGB buying target for first time
The Bank of Japan fell short of its target for buying government bonds on Wednesday for the first time since introducing an asset-buying scheme in 2010, the latest sign it is pumping more cash than markets can swallow. (Reuters)
Japan trading houses target assets to meet catalyst demand
Japan's trading houses are targeting deals to secure platinum and palladium supplies to meet expected shortages later this decade, when tighter rules on auto pollutants and higher car sales boost demand for the metals used in autocatalysts. (Reuters)
Japan firms eye $4.4 billion stake in Australia LNG project
A group of Japanese firms is in talks to pay $4.4 billion for a stake in Australia's Wheatstone gas field that had been set aside for bailed-out nuclear operator Tepco, as the country looks to shore up long-term energy supplies, the Nikkei business daily reported. (Reuters)
Self Defense Force members suspended for ironing subordinate's rear end
Five members of the Japan Self Defense Force were disciplined for assaulting a subordinate by setting an iron to his rear end. (NewsOnJapan.com)
Residents ponder significance of Okinawa's reversion on 40th anniversary
Many Okinawa and mainland Japan residents pondered the significance of the return of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty on May 15, the 40th anniversary of the reversion. (Mainichi)
Aftershocks along Fukushima, Ibaraki borders may take over 100 years to subside
It may take at least 100 years before aftershocks from the March 11, 2011 quake along the boundaries of Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures subside, a recent study reveals. (Mainichi)
Woman in consultation with Sapporo police over stalking abducted and molested
A woman who was in consultation with police over a stalking case was abducted and molested by an unknown suspect, it has been learned. (Mainichi)
Eatery's buoy washes up in Alaska
A spherical buoy found on the coast of Middleton Island in the Gulf of Alaska after apparently being swept away in the March 2011 tsunami was one of several used for the sign of a restaurant in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, 5,000 km away. (Japan Times)
Meeting between Yonekura, Chinese minister canceled
A planned meeting between Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) leader Hiromasa Yonekura and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has been canceled, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. (Yomiuri)
Promoting computer literacy in Japan's disaster-stricken areas
Eighty per cent of businesses in Kamaishi city in Iwate Prefecture are believed to have resumed operations, some in temporary facilities. It is one of the coastal areas damaged by last year's earthquake and tsunami that is now showing signs of recovery. (Channel NewsAsia)
Mickey Mouse hosts gay weddings in Japan
Just days after US President Barack Obama came out in favour of gay marriage, another supporter of homosexual unions emerged in Japan: Mickey Mouse. Despite their having no legal status, same sex couples are able to hold fairytale wedding ceremonies at hotels inside the popular Tokyo Disney Resort, including at the Cinderella Castle, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday. (AFP)
Japan's loo with a view is world's largest too
A Japanese town has opened what is claims is the world's largest public lavatory - a single toilet in a glass cubicle surrounded by more than 2,150 square feet of carefully tended gardens. (telegraph.co.uk)
Cherry blossoms in Fukushima
The Hideyo Noguchi Memorial, a small brick building nestled by the limpid waters of Inawashiro Lake in central Fukushima prefecture, is dedicated to the extraordinary life and achievements of the region's most revered son. (New York Times)
Japan unlikely to land Watson despite arrest in Germany
The arrest of Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson in Frankfurt on Sunday is unlikely to lead to his arrest by Japan for a combination of reasons, one being that Tokyo does not have an extradition treaty with Berlin, according to Toru Chochi, a Japan Coast Guard official. (Japan Times)
The decline of Japan, Inc.
There are numerous examples of American companies performing badly this earnings season (hello, JPMorgan Chase!). But at least they're not doing as poorly as several formerly world-beating Japanese companies. (dailyfinance.com)
Nikkei falls to 3-1/2 month closing low
Japan's Nikkei share average fell 0.8 percent to a 3-1/2 month closing low on Tuesday, weighed by exporters with exposure to Europe after Greece struggled to form a coalition government, raising fears that it may exit the euro zone. (Reuters)
Shops selling legal drugs have now spread to 29 prefectures
Places selling legal herbs which have similar halucinagenic properties to marijuana have increased to 29 prefectures in Japan as of March, which is a much wider spread of an area in comparison to last January. (NewsOnJapan.com)
6-yr-old girl dies after car plows into schoolchildren in Osaka
Police said Tuesday they have arrested the driver of a car that plowed into a group of elementary school children, killing one girl, as they crossed a road in Osaka on Monday. <p> (Japan Today)
Sony, Panasonic eye next generation TV tie-up
Japan's cash-bleeding electronics giants Sony and Panasonic are looking to join forces to produce next generation televisions in a bid to claw back market from South Korean rivals, a report said Tuesday. (Japan Today)