Japan is preparing itself if North Korea launches a nuclear attack.

About 9000 residents were ordered to evacuate their homes on Amami Oshima island.

Teacher vanished during Japan trip, without a trace - except for clue she left in suitcase

Japanese internees were being taken from Auckland to Australia for a prisoner exchange.

The 2017 World Masters Games were a success with more than $63m pumped into the economy.

Japanese brewers want to turn NZ into a nation of sake drinkers.

Researchers searching for signs of melted nuclear fuel in crippled Fukushima plant.

Japanese government data shows more than 10,000 people were restrained in one year alone.

Japanese campaign call for change after Kiwi died after being strapped to bed for 10 days.

The family of a young Kiwi who died in a Japanese hospital are demanding change.

She admitted poisoning her husband to inherit his money one month after they married.

Watch: Gruesome video filmed in Japanese store has shocked customers.

World Health Organisation warns of untreatable strains of sexually transmitted infections.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee: missile flew same distance as Wellington to New Plymouth.

Meet the men who shun real-life relationships in favour of rubber romance with sex dolls.

A cyclist almost killed in a Queenstown hit-and-run is still recovering from her ordeal.

Forget cat cafes - if you want to get up close and personal with animals, go here.

New Zealand seeks greater status with important Latin and South American bloc

Sake is a part of Japanese cuisine that foreign visitors mostly appreciate superficially.

Washington meeting will be third for NZ Trade Minister.

A restaurant stuffing up orders wouldn't normally seem like a success, would it?

Major Japanese alcoholic beverage companies are preparing to export gin.

Google's parent company Alphabet has sold Boston Dynamics to Japanese tech giant SoftBank.

US and Japan have taken part in a joint military exercise close to North Korea's coast.

Having ink could get you banned from this Japanese tourist attraction.

This little island is steeped in religious tradition including a ban on all women.

Some TPP provisions could still apply to the US, says Todd McClay.

The shrinking royal population has raised fears that the youngest prince may be the last.

Early implementation of 11-country trade deal is possible, says Bill English.

COMMENT: Prime Minister Bill English avoided hard questions and awkward handshakes.