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.
National Sep 30, 2013
State, broadcasters promote export of TV programs
To counter the growth of TV programs from South Korea and China, the government and broadcasters are coming together to promote exports of Japanese TV programs mainly to Asia. The Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan, launched last month, will work to secure airtime ...
Editorial Sep 7, 2013
An anime icon retires
The retirement of anime director Hayao Miyazaki is well-earned, but he will be sorely missed.
National Sep 6, 2013
Miyazaki vows he won't be idle in retirement
by Tomohiro Osaki
Hayao Miyazaki, the retiring czar of Japanese animation, said Friday that while he will no longer be at the forefront of creating feature-length animated movies, he will be a “freed man” pursuing his own interests as long as he can. “I know I made ...
Events Outside Tokyo Sep 5, 2013
Lupin III still looks good at 40
by Edan Corkill
One of Japan’s most popular manga and anime series, Lupin III gets the exhibition treatment at the Kawasaki City Museum this month. “Lupin III — 40th Anniversary of the Anime” coincides with the 25th anniversary of the museum and, somewhat belatedly, the 40th anniversary ...
Events Outside Tokyo Sep 5, 2013
Manga fans to gather in Kyoto for annual fair
by Magdalena Osumi
Kyoto is well-known for temples, geisha and other pieces of Japan’s past. This weekend, though, the city will be abuzz with the country’s present treasured artifacts. The annual Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (also known as KYOMAF) will be held Sept. 7 and 8 ...
National Sep 2, 2013
Animation master Miyazaki to retire; fans in disbelief
by Tomohiro Osaki
The abrupt announcement about film director Hayao Miyazaki’s decision to retire triggers tributes and disbelief.
National Sep 1, 2013
Miyazaki retiring, says Studio Ghibli chief
Famed director and anime master Hayao Miyazaki is retiring after a four-decade career, the head of his production company announces in Venice.
Voices | VIEWS FROM THE STREET Aug 26, 2013
Tokyo: How much TV do you watch each week, and what do you watch?
by Mark Buckton
From "none" to "watching TV is pretty much all I do," Tokyoites explain their diverse viewing habits.
Culture | Culture Smash Aug 13, 2013
Otakon celebrates 20 years of anime fandom in the U.S.
by Roland Kelts
The American anime convention, Otakon (“Otaku Convention”), begins with a costume parade before it officially opens. Last week I had a bird’s-eye view of the spectacle from my 14th-floor hotel room in Baltimore, Maryland. An endless army of imaginary characters trudged across the elevated ...
Openings in Tokyo Jul 31, 2013
'Evangelion Exhibition'
by Alisa Yamasaki
The hit anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion” has expanded its franchise far and wide since it was first aired in 1995, to include films, novels, comic books and plenty of merchandising. In anticipation of the final of its current film series, Matsuya Ginza is ...
National Jul 25, 2013
Hayao Miyazaki: Leave Constitution alone
by Jun Hongo
Anime master Hayao Miyazaki blasted the government’s push to revise the Constitution, saying that politicians without any understanding of history “shouldn’t be messing” with the foundation of the country. In a magazine published last week by his production company, Studio Ghibli, the award-winning director ...
Culture | Culture Smash Jul 9, 2013
Can METI's ¥50 billion fund unfreeze 'Cool Japan'?
by Roland Kelts
Naysaying is almost always risk-free, especially if you do it online. If you’re a cynic, you’re usually right, and if you’re wrong, you can just delete those errant tweets and posts and join the party. So last month, when Japan’s Upper House rubber-stamped a ...