![Ex-US deserter to North Korea dies](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1691.jpg)
Ex-US deserter to North Korea dies
A freed US army deserter to North Korea who married a Japanese abductee dies at 77.
read more![Japan to levy departure tax from 2019](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1693.jpg)
Japan to levy departure tax from 2019
Japan plans to impose a ¥1000 ($9) departure tax starting 2019.
read more![Heavy snow slams Sea of Japan coast](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1692.jpg)
Heavy snow slams Sea of Japan coast
Heavy snow and strong winds hammer Sea of Japan coastal regions as a winter pressure mass covers Japan.
read more![App finds train seats for expectant moms](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1695.png)
App finds train seats for expectant moms
Pregnant women who want to sit on crowded trains? There's an app for that.
read more![Forging the perfect shears](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1696.png)
Forging the perfect shears
A 650-year-old blade-making tradition in northern Japan is finding new fans worldwide.
read more![Panda-monium goes postal](/englishnews/user_images/pandapostalstill.jpg)
Panda-monium goes postal
Panda-monium reaches new highs with a panda postbox and commemorative line of stamps unveiled in the run-up to the debut...
read more![Tradition returns to Tokyo streets](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1697.jpg)
Tradition returns to Tokyo streets
Two new ambassadors travel to the Imperial Palace in tradition and in style by horse-drawn carriage to present their cre...
read more![Driverless cars could transform rural Japan](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1698.png)
Driverless cars could transform rural Japan
Panasonic conducts Japan's first real-world tests of driverless cars with the aim of reshaping life in a small country t...
read more![North Korean vessel tries to escape](/englishnews/user_images/s3conv_img_1699.jpg)
North Korean vessel tries to escape
A North Korean wooden vessel that was found near an uninhabited island in southern Hokkaido late November tries to escap...
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