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JAPAN

JAPAN
Jan 23, 2019
Nursing skill tests for new visa expected to start in Vietnam and Philippines
The government is considering holding the first skills tests for foreign nationals hoping to work in the Japan's nursing sector under new visa categories in Vietnam and the Philippines, sources with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2019
Story of Iwao Hakamada, boxer who spent 48 years on death row, to become manga series
The story of Iwao Hakamada, a former professional boxer and death-row inmate, 82, who continues to battle to clear his name over a 1966 quadruple murder, will be adapted into a manga series, supporters of the convict announced Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2019
First-time, short-term visitors to Japan hit record 27 million in 2018, making up 98% of arrivals
The number of new, short-term visitors to Japan hit a record high of 27.05 million last year, according to data showing arrivals from overseas by their visa status released by the Justice Ministry for the first time.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 23, 2019
What #MeToo? Dealmaking in escort bars thrives in corporate East Asia, including Japan
In Tokyo's Ginza, Seoul's Gangnam and Beijing's Chaoyang financial district, a familiar scene plays out almost every night of the work week. As dusk falls, businessmen flock to karaoke and hostess clubs to close deals and build relationships in the liquor-lubricated intimacy of young women.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 23, 2019
U.S. top envoy Pompeo expects 'good marker' with North Korea before next Trump-Kim summit
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday there remains "an awful lot of work to do" to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea but he anticipates further progress by the end of next month, when the U.S. and North Korean leaders are expected to meet for a second summit.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019
Germany's Merkel and France's Macron seek to unite European defense industry as U.S. support wanes
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are pushing for a more united defense industry, citing renewed ties between the two nations as a way to bolster the safety of the European Union in the face of flagging American support.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2019
To avoid feared no-deal Brexit, Parliament may force May to ask EU to delay departure date
The U.K. Parliament is moving closer to a plan to delay Brexit in order to stop the country dropping out of the European Union with no deal and avoid the risk of an economically damaging divorce.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019
As Taliban talks gather pace, Afghan women fear turning back of the clock
Eighteen years ago, at the height of the Taliban's power in Afghanistan, Roshan Mashal secretly taught her daughters to read and write alongside a dozen local girls who smuggled school books to her house in potato sacks.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2019
Huge Afghanistan attack with massive death toll shows Taliban strength at outset of talks
The Taliban, carrying out one of the deadliest attacks of Afghanistan's 17-year insurgency just hours before new peace talks began, has rammed home its message that it intends to reach any settlement from a position of strength on the battlefield.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 23, 2019
Latest Trump line about global warming makes a chilling mistake
With an Arctic blast chilling the northern states, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted over the weekend that it "Wouldn't be bad to have a little of that good old fashioned Global Warming right now!"
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019
New U.S. intelligence strategy warns that Russia and China are seizing on global turmoil
Russia and China are taking advantage of changes in the "strategic environment" that has prevailed for almost a century to gain influence and undermine American objectives, according to a new strategy document issued by U.S. intelligence agencies.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2019
U.S. Supreme Court again mum on Trump's 'Dreamers' appeals
The U.S. Supreme Court closed the door at least for now on President Donald Trump's effort to end protections for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants dubbed "Dreamers," with the justices again silent on Tuesday on three related appeals.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2019
Trump seeks to move ahead with State of the Union speech despite Nancy Pelosi's shutdown misgivings
President Donald Trump on Tuesday attempted to move ahead with planning for a State of the Union speech to the U.S. Congress on Jan. 29 despite pressure from Democrats to delay it due to the government shutdown, as his immigration proposal suffered a blow from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2019
Rudy Giuliani compounds Trump's Russia woes with conflicting interviews
A lawyer's job is to make a client look innocent, if not to prove it — something President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has been struggling with in recent days.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019
Ship in deadly Black Sea blaze was turned away from Russia port over U.S. sanctions
Two ships ablaze in the Black Sea region, leaving at least 10 crew dead, caught fire while transferring fuel midsea after one vessel was barred from using its usual port in southern Russia due to U.S. sanctions risk, two sources told Reuters.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2019
Abe calls for rebuilding of trust in international trade at World Economic Forum meeting in Davos
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took the stage at the World Economic Forum's 2019 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, where he stressed Japan's commitment to enhancing a free, open and rules-based international order.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 23, 2019
Latest trick for Sony's Aibo robotic pooch: Acting as watchdog
Sony Corp. on Wednesday showed off the latest tricks of its signature robotic dog, Aibo, including a new security capability of patrolling inside a house.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2019
Toyota and Panasonic to launch joint venture to make electric vehicle batteries by end of 2020
Toyota Motor Corp. and electronics giant Panasonic Corp. said Tuesday they will jointly establish a new company to make batteries for automobiles, including electric vehicles, by the end of 2020.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2019
Renault convenes board to turn page on Carlos Ghosn era
Renault has called a board meeting to replace Chairman and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn, in a move that may begin to ease tensions with alliance partner Nissan in the wake of Ghosn's arrest in Japan for alleged financial misconduct.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2019
Trump won't soften hard line on need for China reforms to make trade deal, advisers say
As much as U.S. President Donald Trump wants to boost markets through a trade pact with China, he will not soften his position that Beijing must make real structural reforms, including how it handles intellectual property, to reach a deal, advisers say.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2019
Striking teachers reach deal with Los Angeles school district
A week-old strike by more than 30,000 Los Angeles teachers that has disrupted classes for nearly half a million students neared an end on Tuesday as the teachers' union and the second-largest U.S. school district reached a contract deal.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2019
British billionaire James Dyson to move vacuum giant HQ to Singapore, but firm denies Brexit is a factor
James Dyson, the billionaire Brexit supporter who revolutionised vacuum cleaners with his bagless technology, is moving his corporate office and tax registration to Singapore from Britain to be closer to his fastest growing markets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2019
A century on, Basra's British-era shipyard going strong via vintage machinery
Begun in 1918 by British troops, Basra's shipyard is surviving into old age with little maintenance, relying on its vintage machinery and the skill of its workers to keep going.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2019
'Star Wars' missile defense remains a dangerous fantasy
The 'Star Wars' missile defense system's goals still exceed the capabilities of existing technology and threatened an arms race between the U.S. and its adversaries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2019
Reform education to produce true leaders
Greater involvement by families and local communities can stimulate the curiosity of young potential leaders and cultivate their spirit of adventure.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2019
Putin doesn't have the clout to get a deal with Abe
Resolving a dispute from WWII would require giving up territory, but that would be deeply unpopular in Russia.

Sports

Japan Times
SUMO
Jan 23, 2019
Sumo 101: Trading cards
With a sport as ancient as sumo, trading cards aren't the first things that spring to mind when you think of memorabilia.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 23, 2019
Japan fails to shift attack into gear
"Defense wins championships," as the old saying goes.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jan 23, 2019
Armed with inner peace, Naomi Osaka hungry for more success
Having tasted her first Grand Slam success at the U.S. Open last year, Naomi Osaka says she now has a "weird" feeling of wanting more after progressing to her first Australian Open semifinal on Wednesday.

CULTURE

Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2019
88rising's quest to find a Japanese hip-hop sensation
Japanese music hasn't made many inroads into Western markets this decade. Save for some brief viral flashes and niche success, the country's artists have mostly been overlooked. However, Sean Miyashiro, founder of media company 88rising, thinks Japan still holds one big advantage.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2019
'Divine Justice': The surprises behind closed doors
Love hotels feature in many Japanese films, including those, like Ryuichi Hiroki's "Kabukicho Love Hotel" and Izuru Kumasaka's "Asyl: Park and Love Hotel," that make such establishments a central focus. Typically guests drop their social masks within their walls, while employees get an up-close view...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2019
'The Relative Worlds': A rough ride across two universes
The concept of parallel universes is a fascinating one. What if there was another you out there, making the big bucks, fighting in a war or writing bad poetry? And what would happen if you and your alternate self were ever to meet up?

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Jan 23, 2019
Waxing philosophical in English class with 'Thinking Experiments'
If you've ever taught English at a Japanese school, you'll likely be familiar with a certain kind of silence — pervasive and tinged with teenage ennui. Authors Alexander Dutson and James Hill want to recommend breaking the ice with philosophy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Jan 23, 2019
Trying out a lesson on traditional notions of gender
I teach a class of 38 at Hamamatsu Higashi Senior High School in Shizuoka Prefecture, and earlier this month I tried out a gender-themed lesson from Alexander Dutson and James Hill's "Thinking Experiments."

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan