The Japan Times presents the first installment of a monthly 12-part series that looks back at the leading issues of the past three decades.

On May 2, the Cabinet Office removed the posts on its Government Monitor System (GMS) website, a place where citizens offered comments on government policy. The system was established in 1962 to solicit opinions from the public about government policy, but until 2012 it ...

With its story of life-like robots in a Wild West-themed amusement park becoming sentient, and the complications that arise as a result, the television show “Westworld” has attracted a dedicated following over the past couple of years.

Kake Gakuen, one of two school entities at the center of favoritism allegations involving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, denied Saturday that its head met with him in February 2015 as indicated by a recently disclosed document. But its latest denial clashes with yet another confirmation ...

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to talk about starting economic projects on the disputed isles but might touch on North Korea as well.

In handcuffing powerful movie producer Harvey Weinstein on Friday, U.S. justice officials appeared to confirm that no one escapes the long arm of the law in the United States. But celebrity and wealth help provide a better outcome for the accused, especially in sex cases. That ...

Vladimir Putin said on Friday he would respect the Russian Constitution, which bans anyone from serving two consecutive presidential terms, meaning he will step down from his post in 2024 when his current term expires. His remarks, made to reporters at an economic forum in ...

U.S. efforts to sustain and possibly intensify its "maximum pressure" campaign on North Korea are entering a perilous phase as a potential breakdown in diplomacy with Pyongyang raises fears that China may loosen its enforcement of international sanctions. With the fate of a summit between ...

The people of Ireland are set to liberalize some of the world's most restrictive abortion laws by a landslide, two exit polls from a referendum showed on Friday, as voters demanded change in what two decades ago was one of Europe's most socially conservative ...

Just a day after abruptly pulling out of a planned summit with North Korea's leader, U.S. President Donald Trump held out hope Friday that the talks could still be held — possibly even on the scheduled June 12 date in Singapore. "We are having very ...

Through DNA samples in online genealogy databases, police have a powerful tool to find the guilty — and exonerate the innocent.

In conversation with Bashamichi Taproom, Smokehouse and Hatos Bar, three of the OGs of Japan's barbecue scene.

Brazlian primatologist on her research methods, where to soak in a hot spring like a Japanese macaque and ecotourism.

It was only after lunch was fully served and I was sipping on my digestif that I noticed the name on the painting hanging on the wall beside me: Yoshimoto. The watercolor next to it, a neat recreation of Le Mont Saint-Michel, bore the ...

Just behind Nakatsu Station, there's an old residential pocket located within a warren of narrow alleyways. Here, change is in the air. There is the sound of construction, old houses are being transformed into cafes, restaurants and hip little boutiques, and new ventures seem to ...

Chefs for the Blue and its partners, NGO Sailors for the Sea Japan and consulting firm Seafood Legacy, are part of a small but growing movement to promote sustainable seafood in Japan.

"This Great Stage of Fools" offers a collection of Alan Booth's uncollected journalism and writings between 1979 and his untimely death in 1993. Booth is be considered one of the greatest writers on Japan of his generation.

Pick up this small chapbook for a double dose of classic Japanese short fiction from Yuko Tsushima.

"Cult X" is a fast-paced thriller that shows off Nakamura's ability to explore the lives of those on the fringes of Japanese society at its best.

Top-seeded Japan beat host Thailand in Saturday's final to capture its first Uber Cup women's team badminton championship since 1981. The Thais were surprise finalists after they upset powerhouse China in Friday's semifinals, but singles wins by Akane Yamaguchi and Nozomi Okuhara, and a doubles ...

For the second time in three days, Matt Dominguez powered Chiba Lotte to a come-from-behind win as the Marines beat the Orix Buffaloes 6-3 on Saturday afternoon. The 28-year-old, who spent most of his time in the majors with the Houston Astros, tied the game ...

Russian Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova received an Akita puppy Saturday from a group preserving the Japanese dog breed at a presentation ceremony in Moscow attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Zagitova plans to name the red-haired female Akita dog Masaru, meaning victory in ...

The ongoing scandal surrounding the Nihon University football team has embarrassed many of its present and former players. The Japan Times reached out to a couple of former players for the Phoenix to ask their feelings on Thursday, and they spoke — on condition of ...

Yokozuna Kakuryu defeated sekiwake Tochinoshin on Saturday to take sole lead of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with just one day remaining. Kakuryu (13-1) is now one win ahead of Tochinoshin (12-2) in the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, while yokozuna Hakuho (11-3) suffered ...

The Kwansei Gakuin University football team believes the dirty tackle at the heart of an ongoing scandal was ordered by Nihon University's coaches, and has decided to cancel its traditional exhibition game against Nihon University indefinitely, the Hyogo Prefecture-based school announced Saturday. Nihon University defensive ...

Rookie sensation Shohei Ohtani went hitless in three at-bats as the Los Angeles Angels were defeated 2-1 by the New York Yankees on Friday. The 23-year-old Ohtani, batting fifth in the lineup as a designated hitter, was struck out by Luis Severino in his first ...

Championships are won with well-orchestrated teamwork. The Alvark Tokyo did just that and played a polished, patient but aggressive game on Saturday. They showcased flashy plays but mostly stuck with their bread-and-butter offense, moving the ball and taking shots in players' comfort zones. Smart plan. Conversely, ...

Japan's men reached the Thomas Cup badminton tournament final on Friday with a hard-fought 3-2 win over defending champions Denmark. Kento Momota opened Japan's campaign with a convincing 21-17, 21-9 victory over reigning world champ and world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen in the singles. Former ...

J. League side Vissel Kobe welcomed marquee signing Andres Iniesta in a ceremony at the club's home ground on Saturday. The Barcelona legend delighted more than 8,000 cheering fans at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, walking a red carpet onto the pitch before demonstrating his juggling ...