Renton-based Joshua Woodcock's first feature is an intimate, character-driven story that takes place over a single night in the capitol of Japan.

Decontaminated but slightly radioactive soil from Fukushima was delivered Saturday to the Japanese prime minister’s office to be reused in an effort to showcase its safety. This is the first soil to be used,

The success of new political parties focused on wages, immigration and an unresponsive political elite highlights the frustrations of many working-age people in Japan.

Exit polls suggest Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition is likely to lose a majority its majority in the smaller of Japan’s two parliamentary houses in a key election.

TOKYO, July 21 (Reuters) - Japan's ruling coalition lost control of the upper house in an election on Sunday, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power even as he vowed to remain party leader, citing a looming tariff deadline with the United States.

Yokohama’s Chinatown is the largest in Japan and is surrounded by 10 ornately decorated gates. It’s tempting to get lost in the maze of dim sum and fortune tellers, under red paper lanterns swinging over tiny alleys. “I love going there for the casual atmosphere,” says Makoto. "Chinatown feels the same as it did when I went 30 years ago.”

Japan’s ruling coalition is likely to lose its majority in the upper house, exit polls showed after Sunday’s election, potentially heralding political turmoil as a tariff deadline with the United States looms.

The loss on Sunday left the Liberal Democrats a minority party in both houses of Parliament, while two new nationalist parties surged.

Japan’s prime minister refused to step down despite losing his majority, thanks in part to a surge in hard-Right support.

Japan has worked hard to attract foreigners to boost its sluggish economy but now the perception there are too many has prompted the creation of a new task force, as competition for votes heats up ahead of Sunday’s national election.