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JAPAN

JAPAN / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
Reiwa: Japan reveals name of new era ahead of Emperor's abdication
In a much-awaited moment that heralded the approach of a new chapter in Japan's history, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced Monday that the new Imperial era will be named Reiwa, in one of the final steps toward initiating the nation's first Imperial succession in three decades.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2019
New Reiwa era name draws positive public responses across Japan
“It was unexpected, but I'm especially happy that they used u2018wa' in the name,” says an Osaka shopkeeper.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2019
Japan's Imperial era names are societal bookmarks for politics, history and culture
In modern Japan, every emperor's era has its own name — appearing in places such as coins, official paperwork and newspapers — and with a rare abdication coming at the end of April, there was much speculation about what the new gengō would be.
JAPAN / Explainer
Apr 1, 2019
Imperial era names — once coined by emperors, now by the Cabinet
Japan will usher in a new era, Reiwa, when Crown Prince Akihito ascends to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 — a day after Emperor Akihito abdicates.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2019
Top secret: A look at how Japan's new era name, Reiwa, was picked and kept under wraps
When Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga unveiled that Reiwa would be the name of Japan's next Imperial era on Monday, it was a moment that finally put an end to months of fierce media competition to get the scoop before the official announcement.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2019
Twitter has its say about Reiwa, Japan's new era name
Twitter erupted in a flood of posts Monday morning as the Japanese government revealed the country's new era name, Reiwa u4ee4u548c, which is set to go into effect starting May 1. Keywords and hashtags related to the revelation captured most of the top trending spots on the social-media network.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
Simultaneous elections unlikely to be held in both Diet houses this summer, Japan's top government spokesman says
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Sunday he believes that simultaneous elections for both chambers of the Diet are unlikely to be held this summer.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2019
LIVESTREAM: Japan announces name of new era
In a much awaited moment heralding the opening of a new chapter in Japan's history, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga is to announce Monday the name of the new Imperial era, taking one of the final steps toward initiating the nation's first imperial succession in three decades.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2019
Tokyo taxis show off true colors to make ride-hailing easier
With the Olympics — and an anticipated influx of even more foreign tourists — a little more than a year away, local companies are finding more ways to get in on the act of showcasing Japanese know-how and enhancing the overall experience of visitors.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
Moon hopes North Korea responds positively to U.S.-South Korea efforts
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday that he hopes North Korea responds positively when he meets U.S. President Donald Trump this month as part of efforts to restart denuclearization talks with the North.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 1, 2019
Taipei blasts 'provocative' Chinese fighter jet incursion across Taiwan Strait line
Taiwan has protested what it called a "reckless" and "provocative" flight by two Chinese fighter jets across the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait, the country said late Sunday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
China reveals details of key Xi speech on overcoming West's long-term economic and military superiority
Developed Western nations have long-term economic, technological and military advantages over China and the Communist Party has to realize that some people will use the West's strong points to criticize socialism's failings, President Xi Jinping said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 1, 2019
Philippines alarmed by roughly 200 Chinese ships spotted near disputed South China Sea isle this year
Some 200 Chinese ships have been spotted near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the South China Sea since the start of the year, triggering alarm in the Philippine military.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
Thai king's rebuke of Thaksin points to junta-backed regime taking office
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn issued a rare rebuke of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra about a week after an inconclusive national election, making it more likely that a pro-military party would form a government.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
Trump's sale of F-16 fighters to Taiwan seen making China nervous politically
The U.S. may finally sell Taiwan the warplanes it has sought for more than a decade to defend against China. Their arrival would deal more of a political shock than a military blow to Beijing.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 1, 2019
Turkish leader Erdogan's ruling AK Party loses control of Ankara; Istanbul results disputed
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffered a severe setback as his ruling AK Party lost control of the capital, Ankara, for the first time in a local election and he appeared to concede defeat in the country's largest city, Istanbul.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Apr 1, 2019
Pope hits leaders who build walls to keep migrants out, saying they ultimately imprison themselves
Pope Francis said on Sunday that political leaders who want walls and other barriers to keep migrants out "will end up becoming prisoners of the walls they build.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Apr 1, 2019
Border row pitches noninterventionist Mexican president into deep water with Trump
Donald Trump's threat to shut the U.S. border if Mexico does not halt all illegal immigration has exposed the limitations of the new Mexican government's strategy of trying to appease the U.S. president as he gears up for re-election.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 1, 2019
Murdered South Carolina student may have thought car was her Uber ride, say police
A South Carolina man has been charged in the murder of a University of South Carolina student who may have gotten into her killer's car mistakenly believing that it was her Uber ride, police said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Apr 1, 2019
Trump aides repeat threat to shut down U.S.-Mexico border on 'melting point' migrant crisis
The Trump administration on Sunday doubled down on its threat to shut down the southern border with Mexico, a day after it cut aid to Central American countries which President Donald Trump accused of deliberately sending migrants to the United States.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 1, 2019
Carlos Ghosn and Nissan CEO Saikawa considered adding fourth partner to alliance, email shows
Last September, two months before his arrest in Tokyo, then-Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn and the carmaker's chief executive officer considered bringing in a new partner for the alliance with Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp., according to an email.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 1, 2019
Bank of Japan should avoid pushing rates further below zero, head of lenders' association says
The new head of the nation's main banking lobby is warning the Bank of Japan against deepening negative interest rates, signaling that such a move could spur risky investment and put further pressure on lenders' profits.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2019
China will continue to suspend extra tariffs on U.S. vehicles and auto parts
China's State Council said on Sunday that the country would continue to suspend additional tariffs on U.S. vehicles and auto parts after April 1, in a goodwill gesture following a U.S. decision to delay tariff hikes on Chinese imports.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Apr 1, 2019
Bidding goodbye to Heisei; saying hello to Reiwa
As it prepares to usher in the new era, Japan faces a host of challenges that could shake up the future course of the nation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 1, 2019
An economic policy agenda for the Reiwa Era
The Reiwa Era is poised to become a great one for Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 1, 2019
The most famous person you've never heard of
Tokyo needs a strategic thinker/planner like the late Andrew W. Marshall and politicians who listen to his or her analyses.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2019
How Japan can help Africa escape China's 'debt trap'
Japan should export its profitable public transport business model to help African countries repay Chinese infrastructure loans.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2019
Europe must do more than ban plastic forks
A new law outlaws some disposable products, but doesn't curb the EU's huge exports of waste.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2019
What if zero interest rates are the new normal?
Excessive monetary finance is hugely harmful, and it is dangerous to view it as a costless way to solve long-term challenges.

Sports

Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 1, 2019
With first-ever MMA event, ONE CEO hopes to secure foothold in Japan
It was only one event. And there was no guarantee of continued success for a long time into the future.

LIFE

Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 1, 2019
Take your Japanese to the point where you can even use 'sae' and 'made' correctly
The particles u307eu3067 and u3055u3048 both emphasize degree, the former expressing the limits of time, space, quantity and so on. By attaching it to a noun (X), the construction Xu307eu3067 can translate to “until X”
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 1, 2019
Heisei it ain't so! An era of great vocabulary is ending
In the beginning there was the word. More precisely, the prefix. When the Heisei Era officially started, on Jan. 8, 1989, Japan's economy was still merrily bubbling along. That must have been one reason for the popularity of 超 (chō, hyper-). The prefix itself is anything but new, but the idea to make...

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