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Elaine Lies
For Elaine Lies's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Gigi Chao, vice chair of Cheuk Nang Holdings, in Hong Kong on July 19
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 31, 2023
More LGBTQ rights could help Asian financial hubs draw global talent
In Japan, the only Group of Seven nation without legal protection for same-sex unions, corporations are seen as a key driver for change.
A tree lies uprooted on a street in Naha, Okinawa on Wednesday after Typhoon Khanun battered the area.
JAPAN
Aug 3, 2023
Typhoon Khanun kills two in Okinawa, injures at least 62
Roughly 25% of Okinawa Prefecture — around 166,000 households — had lost electricity as of Thursday morning
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 22, 2023
Riding on G7 success, Fumio Kishida eyes early election
Lower House elections aren"t until 2025, but the Prime Minister could strengthen his position in the LDP ahead of a leadership race next fall.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 19, 2023
Japan's G7 refugee balancing act: Door open for Ukrainians, but not many others
The country"s embrace of Ukrainian evacuees has been unusual for a nation notorious for its aversion toward immigrants, but the Ukraine war has sparked a rare outpouring of support.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 13, 2023
Rice into low-carbon plastic: bringing hope to a struggling Fukushima town
A toasted rice aroma hangs around the factory line, where rice is combined with small plastic beads, heated and kneaded before being extruded in thin rods.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 17, 2023
Thousands sign petition to save Tokyo's 'sacred' Jingu Stadium
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played at the legendary venue in 1934 as part of a Japanese tour, making the stadium only one of a handful remaining where Ruth played.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2022
Russia's ambassador to Japan pays respects at Hiroshima Peace Park
The envoy said he wanted to highlight Russia's efforts to reduce nuclear arms, while also criticizing a decision not to invite him to a commemoration on Saturday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 9, 2022
Elon Musk tweet on Japan doomed by low birthrate provokes anger — but not just at him
The flood of sarcasm and anger on Twitter was also directed at the Japanese government, which many said did little to address the issue.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 4, 2022
Coffee, tea and nagging at Japan's anti-procrastination cafe
The clean, well-lit place in western Tokyo has 10 seats reserved for writers, editors, manga artists and anybody else grappling with the written word and deadlines.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 2, 2022
Japan's low-cost soba noodles may become casualty of Ukraine war
A good part of the buckwheat that goes into the noodles comes from Russia, globally the top buckwheat producer.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2022
Reactor restarts could be 'best option' for Japan to ride out energy shortages, senior LDP lawmaker says
Joining a U.S.-led import embargo on Russian oil would hit Japan hard, but nuclear energy could help ease any blow, former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 2, 2022
Dozens volunteer to fight for Ukraine in pacifist Japan
As of Tuesday, 70 Japanese men u2014 including 50 former members of the Self-Defense Forces and two veterans of the French Foreign Legion u2014 had applied to be volunteers, the report said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2022
Going to space makes you 'obsessed with Earth,' billionaire Yusaku Maezawa says
The 46-year-old fashion magnate and art collector in December became the first space tourist on the International Space Station in over a decade.
Japan Times
SUMO
Dec 11, 2021
Young sumo wrestlers chase dreams of fame and fortune in Japan's ancient sport
Japan's Children's Sumo Association says some 40,000 children from ages 10-12 take part in the sport.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 19, 2021
Lack of unified vaccination passport and testing threaten Japan's reopening
If botched, the reopening could also prove costly for new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who faces an election in under two weeks.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 13, 2021
Japan's main opposition CDP focuses on progressive issues in party platform
The largest opposition party said it would stand for rights like supporting same-sex marriage and different surnames for couples, marking out differences with the conservative ruling LDP.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 28, 2021
LGBTQ groups hope LDP's leadership race may lead to same-sex marriage in Japan
Of the four candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership, Taro Kono and Seiko Noda have supported gay marriage. Within Asia, same-sex marriage is currently only legal in Taiwan.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 31, 2021
From despair to Olympic gymnastics debut: Japan's 'other Kohei'
Nobody was surprised when a Japanese gymnast named Kohei made it through to the men's apparatus finals. The shock was that it wasn't former Olympic champion "King" Kohei Uchimura.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 29, 2021
Pandemic takes toll on athletes' mental health at Tokyo Games
Some struggling to cope with the challenges posed by the coronavirus while carrying their country's hopes on the global sports stage.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 10, 2021
Olympic fan's bid to set world record spoiled by decision to ban spectators
Kazunori Takishima bought 100 Tokyo 2020 tickets, saving and planning for years in hopes of attending the most Olympic events ever.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world