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JAPAN

Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2018
Mr. Bean arrested? Twitter meme trends after scandal envelops Nissan chairman
As news surrounding Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn’s arrest on suspicion of having understated his income dominated social media in Japan, a curious phenomenon was emerging on Twitter: Mr. Bean, the goofball lead character played by Rowan Atkinson in the namesake British sitcom, was trending...
JAPAN / FOCUS
Nov 19, 2018
Wrangling over planned shake-up of Japan's immigration control law intensifies after government admits to data errors
A ruckus in the Diet over erroneous statistics leaves the government's Dec. 10 deadline for passage of new legislation in doubt.
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2018
Last thing quake-prone Japan needed was the KYB data-rigging scandal
In disaster-prone Japan, earthquake resistance is vital to prevent buildings from collapsing when a powerful temblor hits, and builders and seismic reinforcement providers have repeatedly given assurances about the safety of their structures.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Nov 19, 2018
Don't eat Jiro persimmons, drink them, town in Mie urges
Members of the Nippon Bartenders Association's branch in Mie Prefecture have created original cocktails that make use of typhoon-damaged Jiro persimmons — a local specialty of the town of Taki that is now in harvest — that cannot be shipped for sale.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2018
Probe launched as electric wheelchair accidents surge at rail crossings nationwide
Following a surge in the number of fatal accidents involving electric wheelchairs getting stuck at rail crossings, the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) has started an investigation.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 19, 2018
Before a packed court, three Hong Kong Occupy leaders plead not guilty to public nuisance charges
Three leaders of Hong Kong's 2014 pro-democracy Occupy movement, which paralyzed parts of the Chinese-ruled city for nearly three months, denied public nuisance charges on Monday as international criticism of the erosion of civil liberties grows.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 19, 2018
APEC's relevance called into question after forum fails to reach deal on communique amid Sino-American clash
The "C" in APEC stands for Cooperation. But when the two biggest members are fighting a trade war and using the forum to attack each other's policies, it was always going to be hard work delivering on that.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 19, 2018
Chinese city urges those 'poisoned by extremism' and who follow conservative Islam to confess to crimes
A city in China's far-western Xinjiang region has ordered people who are "poisoned by extremism, terrorism and separatism," in contact with overseas terror groups or act in a conservative Islamic manner, to turn themselves in to authorities.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 19, 2018
Cambodian leader Hun Sen says he won't allow any foreign military bases in his country
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday there would never be a foreign military base in his country, following a news report that China was lobbying for a naval base in southwest Koh Kong province.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 19, 2018
North Korea's new 'tactical' weapon test highlights military modernization
North Korea's claim last week that it had tested an unidentified "ultramodern tactical weapon" highlighted its desire to upgrade its conventional arms and reassure its military even as talks are underway to end its nuclear program, analysts said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 19, 2018
Two years after Philippines 'divorced' U.S., President Rodrigo Duterte still waiting on China dividend
Two years after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a divorce with old ally the United States in return for bumper business ties with China, he doesn't have much to show for it.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 19, 2018
U.S. vice president's sharp China attacks fuel Asia's fears of a new Cold War
Since the Soviet Union fell in the early 1990s, Southeast Asia has sought to avoid getting caught in a fight between major powers. The Trump administration is making that position look increasingly untenable.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Nov 19, 2018
After finding no takers, Rohingya repatriation, relocation plans pushed back to 2019
Bangladesh's plans to tackle the Rohingya refugee crisis have been stalled until the new year with repatriation and relocation programs only likely to be revisited following year-end general elections, a top Bangladeshi official said on Sunday.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 19, 2018
May faces day of reckoning on Monday, lawmaker says
British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a day of reckoning on Monday as mutinous lawmakers try to trigger a no confidence vote over their opposition to her draft European Union divorce deal, a rebel member of her Conservative Party said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 19, 2018
Yemen's Houthis halt missile attacks on Saudi coalition after foes put brakes on offensive
Yemen's Houthi movement said on Monday it was halting drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their Yemeni allies, responding to a demand from the United Nations.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 19, 2018
New Salvadoran migrant caravan forms, swells as hundreds wait at U.S.-Mexico border
At least 150 Salvadorans set off on Sunday from their impoverished Central American country in a U.S.-bound caravan, ignoring their likely rejection at the U.S.-Mexico border where a larger caravan of mostly Hondurans has been stalled for days.
WORLD
Nov 19, 2018
Syrian army advances against Islamic State holdouts in southeastern desert
Hundreds of Islamic State militants withdrew from the heart of a rugged area in southeastern Syria after holding up for over three months against a major campaign by the Syrian army and its allies to crush them, rebels and residents said on Sunday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 19, 2018
Trump would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker moves to curtail Robert Mueller's Russian meddling probe
President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday he would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker, his acting U.S. attorney general, moved to curtail special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 19, 2018
Regional banks' profit woes could damage financial system, Japan's central banker warns
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda warned Monday that declining profits at regional banks could hurt the economy by potentially destabilizing the financial system.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 19, 2018
China launches probe into Australian barley imports as trade tensions simmer
China is starting an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Australian barley, sending a signal the world's top commodity buyer may be increasing scrutiny of one of its most important suppliers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 19, 2018
SoftBank's new robot Whiz skips the chit chat, gets to work mopping office floors
SoftBank Group Corp. is introducing a new robot that, unlike the talkative Pepper, skips the chit chat and just mops the floor.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / INSIDER REPORT
Nov 19, 2018
Sōgō shōsha: Understanding Japan's super suppliers and distributors
As mentioned before, the sōgō shōsha have two fundamental business models: Their traditional, core business model as trader, supplier, wholesaler and distributor of a vast array of goods and materials upstream and downstream in the supply or value chain, and as an organizer of large-scale infrastructure...
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2018
Art of the upper hand: Entrepreneur helps China firms battle Trump's $250 billion trade war
U.S. President Donald Trump's $250 billion economic battle with China has run into a one-man obstacle. A trade-war whisperer working for the other side.
BUSINESS
Nov 19, 2018
44% of German firms expect growing trade strains with U.S., survey finds
Forty-four percent of German firms expect a further escalation of trade tensions between Europe and the United States, which is likely to continue to dampen new investments, the RND newspaper chain reported, citing a survey by the IW economic institute.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Nov 19, 2018
Agreement eludes APEC
The APEC breakdown makes clear the widening gap in visions of regional order. Choices will have to be made, and soon.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 19, 2018
From entertainment sushi to pension sushi
It is much easier to globalize economic systems, but it is still very difficult to globalize the minds of human beings.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 19, 2018
The environment and economy have become great power pawns
The new cold war has spread far from the geopolitical arena.
Japan Times
Reconjuring the vision of the Meiji Centennial
Japan has thus far succeeded in preserving its national character while fulfilling its growing responsibility toward the international community.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 19, 2018
The prolonged torture that is Brexit
The only force that could save Theresa May's deal is the Labour Party, but hopes are very thin.

Sports

Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 19, 2018
Sumo 101: Ozeki
Yokozuna are the stars of sumo.

LIFE

Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Nov 19, 2018
Two words that seem completely similar to one another — how do you tell the difference?
The words 'sokkuri' and 'sukkari' are used to show resemblance, but one can be used in entirely different situations.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Nov 19, 2018
Government to urge companies to curb use of microplastics
New measures are being taken to help clean our seas, but are they too little too late?
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Nov 19, 2018
'The Year Book of the Contemporary Society' celebrates the Japanese buzzwords that will lead us into the new year
What's that word, the one for when you like a person but are too shy to say so? Or how about the one you use when you visit Tokyo Disney? Well, one book has all the answers.

CULTURE

CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 19, 2018
Saitama city's Kaparu beats out organized voting to win grand prix title at annual mascot contest
Kaparu from Shiki, a city in Saitama Prefecture, won the 2018 Yuru-kyara Grand Prix (Soft Character Grand Prix) title in the regional division on Sunday.

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
Sharp foresight coupled with penchant for precision
For Chris Hill, CEO of WeWork Japan, the day begins at 5:00 a.m. with meditating in the bath.

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