Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Editorial Sep 9, 2013
Strengthening research ethics
In view of a series of irregularities in scientific research that have recently come to light, scientists and research institutes need to strengthen their ethical standards.
Editorial Sep 7, 2013
An anime icon retires
The retirement of anime director Hayao Miyazaki is well-earned, but he will be sorely missed.
Editorial Sep 7, 2013
Crackdown on 'black' companies
At long last, the labor ministry has begun a crackdown on the abusive employment practices of so-called black companies.
Editorial Sep 6, 2013
Belated justice in inheritance cases
It is unfortunate that it took so long for the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional a Civic Code provision that discriminated against children born out of wedlock.
Editorial Sep 6, 2013
Vacant houses pose a problem
The number of vacant houses improperly managed is increasing as the nation grows grayer and some areas experience depopulation.
Editorial Sep 5, 2013
No quick fix for Fukushima leaks
Despite the government's decision to directly involve itself in managing the Fukushima nuclear crisis, fundamental solutions are no closer at hand.
Editorial Sep 5, 2013
A path for fuel cell electric vehicles
Fuel cell electric vehicles are a pillar of the Abe administration's economic growth strategy, but obstacles remain in the way of their commercial success.
Editorial Sep 4, 2013
Slash wasteful government spending
The Liberal Democratic Party has not learned from its past policy reliance on pork-barrel projects, which caused the national debt to soar.
Editorial Sep 4, 2013
Conflicts of interest in drug research
Oversight of pharmaceutical companies' corporate donations to universities, and the roles played by their employees in university drug research, must be strengthened to prevent conflicts of interests from tainting the results of clinical research.
Editorial Sep 3, 2013
America's unfinished business
There is no mistaking the progress that has been made in the United States in the half century since Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. But there remains a long way to go.
Editorial Sep 2, 2013
Net addiction a growing problem
Steps must be taken to combat the problem of Internet addiction, which is affecting a growing number of children and adults.
Editorial Sep 1, 2013
New disaster warning system
The Meteorological Agency on Aug. 30 started a system to use a "special warning" designation for natural disasters that are very likely to cause heavy damage.