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Makoto Tai
For Makoto Tai's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 24, 2016
Efforts a-hoof to preserve Japan's indigenous Taishu horse
Breeding of the Taishu, an ancient breed of horse that originated on Tsushima, a remote island in southwestern Japan, is gradually progressing under a program to preserve the endangered equine.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2013
Young bureaucrats plugging away at Kasumigaseki reform
A group of young officials in Tokyo's Kasumigaseki government district have been working on reforming the nation's central administrative system, which they say is too vertically segmented and has failed to produce internationally competitive policies.
JAPAN
May 28, 2010
Budget woes force cities into the 'cloud'
Growing numbers of local governments are turning to "cloud computing" to reduce administrative costs of such tasks as managing residential data, tax records and local finances.
JAPAN
Oct 11, 2007
Consumer gripes 'commercialized' into unique goods
The Fukui Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city of Fukui has been heeding consumer complaints with a view to developing their ideas into attractive products. Examples include umbrellas that repel more rainwater to protect clothing, eye glasses that shine in the dark for easy recognition and shoes with nonslip soles. Chamber officials said many of the complaints they receive contain the seeds of good ideas that could be developed to meet consumer needs, and hope financing new products resulting from such complaints helps stimulate local industries.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 2, 2007
Wild boars 'terrorize' Tsuruga plants
Host to seven power plants, Tsuruga, a finger of land that juts into the Sea of Japan, has been dubbed "the nuclear power peninsula." But some local residents are apparently more worried by the growing number of wild boars on the peninsula.

Longform

High-end tourism is becoming more about the kinds of experiences that Japan's lesser-known places can provide.
Can Japan lure the jet-set class off the beaten path?