Japan
Japan's defence minister to inspect US missile battery on Guam
Japan's defence minister Tomomi Inada is this week expected to visit Guam and inspect the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.
Japanese whaling organisation stands by deal
The Japanese organisation overseeing whaling operations in the Southern Ocean says it stands by a deal to avoid confrontation with Sea Shepherd.
Main Japanese whaler 'nearby' - Sea Shepherd
Conservation group Sea Shepherd has found four Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Ocean, but is still looking for the Nisshin Maru.
Latin Lolitas
One of the most notable fashion movements to come out of Japan is an uber feminine take on 19th century clothing called the Lolita style. The main version of Lolita is often very light colours like… Audio, Gallery
Japan By Rail
Shaun D Wilson travels around Japan, from Tokyo to Sapporo in the north and back again - all via rail. In Tokyo, after struggling to find his hostel, Shaun visits Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a… Audio, Gallery
Japan's PM makes historic Pearl Harbour visit
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a symbolic visit to Pearl Harbour, commemorating World War Two dead and pledging that Japan would never wage war again.
Safety measures for Pacific fishing observers agreed
The Pacific Tuna Commission has voted to improve safety for observers who work on fishing vessels in the region. The observers play a critical part in the management and conservation...
Sound Archives: Sarah Johnston
A "date that will live in infamy" - that's how US President Franklin Roosevelt described the 7th of December 1941. Today is the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the US naval base at Pearl… Audio
Noodle discount for Japan's elderly drivers
Japanese police are encouraging elderly drivers to give up their licences by offering a discount at a popular noodle chain.
Snow falls in Tokyo
It has not snowed in the Japanese capital in November for more than 50 years.
Japan rocked by powerful offshore quake
Japan has lifted the tsunami advisories issued after a powerful earthquake struck off its eastern coast.
Japan quake just 9 days after Kaikoura quake
Japan and New Zealand had major earthquakes just nine days apart, both on the Ring of Fire, both on the Pacific Plate. Checkpoint asked Greg Beroza if they were connected? Video, Audio
7.4 quake triggers tsunami warning in Japan
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Northern Japan this morning generating a tsunami advisory in the same region devastated by a tsunami in 2011. Anna Fifield joins Checkpoint. Video, Audio
Hawke's Bay quakes connected to Kaikoura quake
Earthquakes in Hawke's Bay, most sharply a 5.4 beneath Porangahau at 1.19 this afternoon, are likely to be connected to last week's Kaikoura quake, GNS scientist Kelvin Berryman says. Video, Audio
Japan coastal residents flee after 7.4 magnitude quake
People living on the coast in Japan fled for higher ground after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck this morning. New Zelanders, and others living there, share their experiences. Audio
Kaikoura earthquake - Wellington apartments
What will become of Wellington's inner city dwellers? Audio
Fukushima earthquake
Memories of 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami with another quake striking in the Fukushima prefecture this morning.Seisomologist John Ristau talks about whether that one is related to the Kaikoura… Audio
Quake Rocks Japan
A tsunami warning has been issued after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan. The quake hit this morning, 67 km northeast of Iwaki and at a depth of 10km, the US Geological Survey… Audio
Huge sinkhole swallows street in Japan
A giant sinkhole has swallowed a five-lane street in the centre of one of Japan's biggest cities.
Nelson to re-sign sister city relationship with Miyazu, Japan
Nelson is to renew its sister city relationship with Miyazu, Japan despite questionable commercial gains. Audio
