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February 2014
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JAPAN

Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Feb 1, 2014
Paternity testing opens up a world of hurt for families — and family courts
The paternity test procedure can now cost as little as ¥30,000, which means it's affordable to anyone. Recently, an increasing number of Japanese men have been carrying out DNA testing on their children, usually because they suspect their wives of cheating.
Japan Times
War against stalkers broadens its aims
If you would, dear reader, please take a moment of your time today and let Prime Minister Shinzo Abe know that you'd like him to treat Japan's stalking problem seriously. Let him know that you'd like the Diet to make real laws that would protect the women who are subject to harassment, humiliation, injury...
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Feb 1, 2014
For Japan's foreign residents, the little things make such a big difference
American political ideals may be grander, European philosophy may be deeper, Islamic faith may be firmer than anything native to Japan — but Japan, perhaps uniquely, knows the value of small things.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 1, 2014
Fears widen over Kadena toxins
Just days after the commander of U.S. Kadena Air Base, near the city of Okinawa, promised parents their children's schools were safe from dioxin contamination, a further 50 chemical barrels have been unearthed from adjacent land and a retired U.S. Air Force major has come forward with claims the school...
Steamer surveys new island; Forces land on Hainan Island; Kyu Sakamoto profiled; Leftists suspected in shrine bombing
The N.Y.K. Bonin liner Chefoo, which returned to Yokohama yesterday, gave an interesting account of her exploration of the newly formed island near Minami Iwojima.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 1, 2014
Extinction threatens quarter of sharks, rays
A quarter of the world's sharks and rays are probably threatened with extinction, according to the most extensive assessment of the marine species.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 1, 2014
Hurdles stall peace efforts in Phillipines
The Philippine government faces challenges implementing an accord aimed at ending decades of conflict in resource-rich Mindanao, with the risk of violence from Muslim rebel groups not included in the deal and private armies in the area.

ENVIRONMENT

Japan Times
Japan: Why kill whales off Antarctica?
The Japanese whaling fleet — this year just a factory ship, three catchers and what is being called a "surveillance" vessel — left Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture in secret on Dec. 9, 2013 bound for the Southern Ocean and its annual hunt that will keep it away from home through March.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Feb 1, 2014
Defend dolphins, not a 'tradition'
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's argument that the force of tradition justifies the herding, capturing and slaughtering of dolphins is a flimsy one. It is an inhumane practice that should be stopped.
EDITORIALS
Feb 1, 2014
Harassment for acting like a dad
According to a Japanese trade union survey, more than one in every 10 working men have either been barred from taking childcare leave or harassed for even applying.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Feb 1, 2014
Can local voices derail the Super Shinzo Express?
Voters in Nago, northern Okinawa Island, threw down the gauntlet on Jan. 19 when they reelected as mayor the incumbent, Susumu Inamine, a staunch opponent of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the congested city of Ginowan in the south to the Henoko...
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 1, 2014
Climate change looks too big to ignore or fix
There are no global institutions even remotely capable of getting the world to reduce its energy consumption. So, unless we get a cheap, clean renewable, we're probably all going to be getting hotter.

Sports

Maru, Kajitani on verge of NPB stardom
As spring training camps for the 12 Japanese pro baseball teams opened on Saturday, let's take a look at a couple of young players on the verge of becoming two of the best in the Central League; Hiroshima Carp outfielder Yoshihiro Maru and Yokohama BayStars infielder Takayuki Kajitani.
BASEBALL / MLB
Feb 1, 2014
Yanks ask for help with Tanaka's visa
The New York Yankees have called on New York Sen. Chuck Schumer to speed up Masahiro Tanaka's visa application, so he will be on time for spring training, the New York Daily News reported in its online edition Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Feb 1, 2014
Hawks need more quality in starting rotation
The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks fielded a pitching juggernaut in 2011, the likes of which will be hard to replicate without the help of outside forces.
BASKETBALL
Feb 1, 2014
Pomare, Iwate sail past Ryukyu in OT
Gyno Pomare delivered a splendid performance for the Iwate Big Bulls on Saturday evening.
BASKETBALL
Feb 1, 2014
Ex-NBA player Brown parts ways with Sendai due to family emergency
Former NBA forward Andre Brown, whose acquisition was announced by the Sendai 89ers last week, has left the bj-league team before playing in a game.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Feb 1, 2014
Japan takes control in doubles
Japan took a 2-1 lead over Canada with a four-set victory (6-3 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4) in doubles on Saturday in their Davis Cup World Group first-round match.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / NFL NOTEBOOK
Feb 1, 2014
Game plans key for both Seahawks, Broncos
Now New Jersey is ready for Super Bowl Sunday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 1, 2014
Matsuyama moves up leaderboard
Hideki Matsuyama shot a 4-under-par 67 to temporarily move into fifth place, while compatriot Ryo Ishikawa missed the cut at the Phoenix Open on Friday.

LIFE

LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 1, 2014
Pursuit of happiness
The merry residents of Japan have long sought to attain the 'pleasantest of all diversions
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Feb 1, 2014
Tsuruga: truly a 'port of humanity'
The man in the black-and-white photograph wore a dark jacket with wide lapels. His hair was cut short and parted to one side. His eyes were directed toward the camera as if he were looking directly at me. I recognized him immediately: Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese vice-consul in Lithuania who helped...

CULTURE

CULTURE / Books
Feb 1, 2014
Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival
The title of "Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival" refers to an old Japanese proverb about making the best of a bad situation or transforming crisis into opportunity. Japan is no stranger to crisis, or to monumental "bending," but will the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 serve...
The Tattoo Murder Case
Still reeling from the effects of war, Tokyo, in 1948, was ripe with intrigue, not to mention men and women capable of plotting monstrous crimes. Akimitsu Takagi's crime mystery "The Tattoo Murder Case" was first published that year and his gritty scenes of the city are described with the authenticity...
CULTURE / Books
Feb 1, 2014
Fujisan
The haunting tales included in this collection of short stories by Randy Taguchi all take place in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
CULTURE / Books
Feb 1, 2014
Heart of a Samurai
Heart of a Samurai, Margi Preus, AMULET BOOKS

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY / Voices / OVERHEARD
Feb 1, 2014
Curiosity killed the cat
Elderly woman: The neighborhood cat's not here tonight. It's always sitting on the corner at this time.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji