Feb 15, 2013

Improve reconstruction efforts

As of mid-January, at least 316,000 people were still living away from homes affected by the 3/11 quake-tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster.

Feb 10, 2013

Nuclear power and press freedom

Japan's plunge in a global ranking of press freedom is attributed solely to poor access to information on the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

Jan 19, 2013

Concern for Fukushima people

I want to express my appreciation for The Japan Times’ coverage of Dr. Masaharu Tsubokura’s work monitoring internal radioactive contamination of people living in Fukushima, as reported in the Jan. 10 article “As radiation fears dwindle, so do checkups.” I think the work that ...

Jun 20, 2012

Sake makes a comeback

Japanese traditional sake had a resurgence in 2011, with drinkers consuming more than in 2010. After hitting a peak in the mid-1970s, consumption gradually fell to a third. Last year, though, saw a return of enthusiasm for sake as a way of supporting Tohoku, ...

Jun 16, 2012

A champion of independent media

Cancer took the life of lawyer and journalist Mr. Kazuo Hizumi on June 12 at the age of 49. Although he died young, he has left behind a persuasive analysis of contemporary Japanese society from the viewpoint of protecting and promoting freedom of expression ...

Apr 23, 2012

Tepco should accept woodchips

After a disaster, most Japanese companies apologize, make reparations and make changes to ensure the same problem does not recur. Tokyo Electric Power Co. appears to be the exception. Most recently, Tepco has declined a request from the timber industry in Fukushima Prefecture to ...