Latest from Japan

No upgrade to embassy in Japan - McCully

Japan's seijin no hi festival

This nationwide 'coming of age day' celebration is held each year on the second Monday in January to congratulate those who have reached the nice round number of 20. The tradition goes back well over a thousand years to a time when young princes marked the beginning of their second decade by switching to wearing adult clothes and hairstyles.

Japan: Dressed up to break out

In Japan on one day a year 20-year-olds pull out all the stops for a big, noisy, colourful public party, notes Ian D. Robinson.

Don't miss: Nebuta Festival

Every night of this spectacular annual festival, huge, colourful lantern floats are wheeled through the streets.

Japan: What to do in Kyoto

From biking, braving local delicacies and touring temples, Ann Newbery discovers there’s plenty to do in Kyoto, Japan.

Japan: Maid to measure in Tokyo

Nicholas Jones enters a weird world of dress-ups.

Sony posts $2.5 billion loss

Rugby: Forbes says sevens pressure a test

Hockey: Black Sticks face daunting task against Holland

North Pole confirms Santa on his way

Potentially radioactive muttonbirds nesting in NZ

Radioactive muttonbirds could be on their way to NZ after the birds were found feeding near Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant.

Hiroshima: Monster-hunt turns into a pilgrimage

Dom Joly visits Hiroshima 66 years after his father witnessed the devastation wrought by the atomic bomb firsthand.

Paul Holmes: Year of joy, sorrow, triumph and tragedy

Japan accused of using tsunami fund to protect whalers

Golf: Lee excited to be back on tour

Devastating Japan tsunami was two waves combined

Greens call for protester protection as whaling fleet sets sail

Supercars' outing ends in $4m smash (+ video)