TOKYO -- Buildings that store urns containing cremated ashes are growing in popularity as an alternative to traditional cemeteries in Japan, but laws are yet to be put in place to regulate where such facilities can be built, leading to protests from nearby residents. The number of such facilities, often called "indoor cemeteries" by operators, has increased about 30% in the past decade in urban areas, where traditional cemeteries are in short supply. Hidehiro Konno, who operates a pregnanc...

Yuriko Koike says now's the time to make her return to national politics Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo on Sept. 25. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara) TOKYO -- Japan's looming general election comes as no surprise to Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, who had been readying a new political party to give voters an alternative to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brand of leadership, she said in an interview Monday. Although she had previously denied having ambitions for re...

enator John McCain has said he cannot support his fellow Republicans' latest effort to repeal Obamacare, dealing it a potentially fatal blow. The Arizona senator, who is battling brain cancer, said he "cannot in good conscience" vote for the new plan, which President Donald Trump backs. Mr McCain said it was wrong to pass such far-reaching legislation without input from the Democrats. It is the second time he has thwarted his party leadership on the issue. President Trump, speaking i...