Topic: Tokyo

Typhoons' destructive wake tests Taiwan, China, Japan

Two earthquakes – in Japan and the Indian Ocean – added to the punishing weather striking East Asia.

Direct talks with N. Korea ahead? Not likely.

Secretary of State Clinton reaffirms commitment to six-party talks. One-on-one dialogue with Kim Jong-il's regime would validate the rogue nation, analysts say.

Bill Clinton's 'rock star status' delivers in North Korea

The former president succeeded in securing the release of two American journalists partly because he brought Pyongyang the prestige it craves.

'Beach' in the city offers respite for ordinary Parisians

In a working-class area of Paris, a multiethnic crowd gathers along a canal to kayak, practice tai chi, and enjoy the summertime.

Japan's ruling LDP lays out its campaign platform

Prime Minister Aso's long-ruling party is under fire as polls indicate strong support for the opposition Democratic Party of Japan. The vote is Aug. 30.

In space, no one can complain about your month-old underwear

With Uighurs' Kadeer on the road, China goes on the attack

China takes a page from its "stop the Lama" playbook as it tries to prevent lobbying by Uighur nationalist.

Japan's embattled ruling party sets date for election

The Aug. 30 vote could end its nearly uninterrupted half century in power.

South Korea says attackers used IP address in 5 nations

South Korea said Friday it had identified and blocked five IP addresses used to distribute computer viruses that caused a wave of Web site outages in the U.S. and South Korea.

In election season, Japan's voters more skeptical of 'hereditary' candidates

Amid recession woes, some politicians see an opening in a system long tipped toward political families.

With Michael Jackson, the end of the megastar?

Media fragmentation – and a public that's seen it all – makes it harder for today's artists to achieve global superstardom.

Opinion: Why China might turn on North Korea

As Beijing strives to become a responsible great power, the costs of staying allied with North Korea may come to surpass the costs of abandoning it.

What the future of the auto industry will look like

Surging demand for cars in rapidly growing nations will mean a robust car industry in 20 years. The US will have a piece of it – though smaller than today – and the models it turns out will be much greener as the iconic industry reinvents itself.

Air France crash: Probe into two other A330 incidents

Two recent Airbus A330 flights may have had similar computer malfunctions to those suspected in AF Flight 447, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

Outpouring over Michael Jackson unlike anything since Princess Di

Nostalgia for a musical prodigy seemed to trump the pop star's dark side, as albums sold out and fans swamped social media with tributes.

NASA resets shuttle launch for Wednesday

The delayed launch of Endeavour – caused by a fuel tank leak similar to one that delayed the shuttle Discovery in March – also bumps the launch of a moon reconnaissance mission to Thursday.

Vanished Smile

The true story of the stranger-than-fiction heist of the Mona Lisa in 1911.

Opinion: Don't fall for North Korea's trap

Rogue states are using US reporters as pawns. Only swift retribution will stop the cynical game.

The summer of staying close to home

For cash-strapped vacationers, time off this years means exploring ... locally. A report from Europe, Japan, and the US on the return of the road trip, backpacking with a burro, and growing beets.

Review: 'Departures'

Quirky Japanese film follows a cellist's inadvertent career change to corpse dresser after his orchestra disbands.

The Monitor's View: Why Obama can't be soft on North Korea

Japan and South Korea already see him as eroding the US military posture in Asia.

Emboldened North Korea pushes neighbors to seek self-defense

South Korea joined a US-led program to block shipments of nuclear material. In Japan, a lawmaker urged first-strike capability.

Opinion: Shanghai's 2010 Expo: the 'Economic Olympics'

World Expos have been a snooze in the West for decades. But China's first one ever next year will be a wake-up call.

At Cannes, vivid and violent films figure prominently

While the famed festival kicks off with Disney-Pixar's 'Up,' other titles are far less fanciful.

Why China is acting aggressively on swine flu

While its efforts may appear excessive, China is determined to be above reproach in the wake of its failures to address SARS quickly six years ago.