Japan

Japan-New Caledonia flight disrupted

Aircalin said the 179 passengers have been put up in hotels while efforts are underway to find alternatives for them to reach Noumea.

The airline's schedule is expected to have disruptions over the next two days.

Last year, Aircalin had repeated technical problems with its Airbus A330s.

It ordered two new such wide-body planes which will be delivered for 2019.

US returns land it's controlled since WWII to Japan amid local anger

But there's a catch.

As part of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the two countries, the United States is granted the right to certain defense facilities. In exchange for the land, the Japanese government built several new helipads for the US military to use on its southernmost island of Okinawa.

Yet the handover has done little to assuage the ire of activists, who've campaigned for decades, to remove US bases altogether from Okinawa.

PNG can expand Japanese tourism: PM

The Prime Minister made the statement while extending his best wishes and thanks to the outgoing Ambassador of Japan to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Morio Matsumoto.

“There is a lot of interest from Japanese tourists to come to Papua New Guinea.

“This is for cultural visits, and importantly, visits to memorials and resting places for Japanese military personnel who died in World War II.”

The PM says PNG will always extend its highest respect for Japan’s war dead and the monuments that have been erected to honour their memory.

Japan tracks dementia patients with QR codes attached to fingernails

A company in Iruma, near Tokyo, has developed a tagging system for members of the public at risk of getting lost.

The 1cm (0.4in) square stickers hold an address, telephone number and unique identity number for each user.

The free service, launched this month, is a first for Japan.

The initiative, which uses a system of QR codes, was set up to help reunite family members with their elderly loved ones in the event that they go missing, according to the Iruma welfare office.

US to return WWII land to Japan

The 9,852 acres of land on the island of Okinawa, part of a territory officially referred to as the Northern Training Area, is in a large US military base complex on the Pacific island more than 960 miles (1,550 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo.

The US had turned most of Okinawa over to Japan in 1972 after controlling it from the end of World War II in 1945.

This is the largest return of US-occupied land since then.

Japan’s Mami Ueno awarded Golden Boot

Ueno scored five goals overall in the tournament and assisted her team mates to score two goals.

She scored a hat-trick during Japan’s first win of the group round against Nigeria 6-0.

The 20 year old scored her fourth goal to help her team to victory against Canada 5-0 in the last match of the group round.

Ueno scored her fifth goal which was the only goal scored in the playoff against the United States 1-0 to help her team win the bronze medal.

PNG Loop's Breakfast Bites

Korea DPR did it!

http://www.looppng.com/content/korea-dpr-did-it

It is done! Korea DPR have achieved their goal in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

Harmony commits to K12m exploration program

http://www.looppng.com/content/harmony-commits-k12m-exploration-program

Japan takes out bronze at FIFA U20 WWC

They defeated the United States 1-0 in front of a crowd of 8098 supporters.

Japan's victory goal was scored by forward Mami Ueno three minutes to full-time.

After over 20 attempted goals through the 86 minutes of play, Ueno scored in the penalty box, sweeping a clear shot from the right and finding the top left corner of the net.

This was Ueno's fifth goal overall in the tournament.

Japan, in white and blue, dominated the game, having 63 percent ball possession.

FIFA U20 WWC finals underway

The bronze playoff kicked off at 4pm at the National Football Stadium under fine weather conditions in front of a sold out Port Moresby crowd.

Both teams remain scoreless at half-time.

Japan, in white and blue uniform, had more ball possession and made more attempts than their opponents.

The Asian side is led by top goal scorer and captain forward, Yuka Momiki.

USA, in black and blue, are led by captain Mallory Pugh.

Japan and USA set for bronze playoff

The match will kick off at 4pm today in front of an expected sellout crowd at the 15,000 seating National Football Stadium.

Japan and USA will come out strong, aiming to take home the bronze medal after missing out on qualifying for the final on Tuesday in the semis against France and Korea DPR respectively.

It will be a tough encounter between the Asian and North American sides after a hard-fought battle and going to extra time in the semis.

But it will be an exciting and entertaining match and fans will be out in numbers to support.