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August 2019
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JAPAN

Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 1, 2019
Japan to toughen eligibility standards for Japanese-language schools
The Immigration Services Agency said Thursday it will toughen eligibility standards for Japanese-language schools that can accept foreign students, effective Sept. 1.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 1, 2019
Over half of fatal child abuse victims in Japan less than 1 year old, health ministry report shows
Over half of fatal child abuse victims in Japan in fiscal 2017 were babies aged less than one year old, a report by a health ministry expert panel showed Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 1, 2019
Opposition lawmakers with severe disabilities make Upper House debut after steps taken toward creating barrier-free Diet
A special five-day Diet session following the July 21 Upper House election kicked off Thursday, marking a momentous occasion for two opposition lawmakers with severe disabilities, who entered the Diet building for the first time.
JAPAN
Aug 1, 2019
Nationwide test results highlight Japanese students' poor English speaking and writing skills
In the speaking section, many students struggled with improvised speech on randomly chosen topics.
JAPAN
Aug 1, 2019
Japan aims to boost disaster response with more efficient TEC Force
The land ministry is establishing a system to allow for the quick dispatch of workers with civil engineering and other expertise to areas hit by natural disasters, after a succession of torrential downpours and other large-scale calamities hit the nation in recent years.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 1, 2019
China-friendly Taipei mayor to form political party in challenge to Tsai Ing-wen
AFP-JIJI
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 1, 2019
North Korean soldier makes rare defection across the DMZ
In a rare direct defection across the heavily fortified frontier between the Koreas, the South Korean military detained a North Korean soldier who crossed the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates the two countries, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC) said on Thursday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 1, 2019
U.S. set to push security strategy as Chinese maneuvers rattle region
Recent incidents involving Chinese ships in Southeast Asian waters are testing regional faith in Beijing's sincerity about maritime peace, and aiding a renewed U.S. push to build alliances with countries unnerved by China's assertiveness.

WORLD

WORLD / Politics
Aug 1, 2019
Iran says U.S. sanctioning of top diplomat 'childish' as tensions rise
Iran accused the United States on Thursday of "childish behavior" driven by fear after Washington imposed sanctions on its foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, escalating tensions between two foes at loggerheads over Gulf shipping and Iran's nuclear program.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Aug 1, 2019
Kremlin foe's doctor skeptical after Alexei Navalny tests negative for poison at state hospital
A Russian state hospital said on Wednesday that opposition leader Alexei Navalny had tested negative for poison after falling ill in custody, but his personal doctor warned the findings were inconclusive and could be wrong.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 1, 2019
Boris Johnson's Belfast Brexit message leaves Dublin and EU in cold
Boris Johnson went a long way toward cementing his working majority in the U.K. Parliament with a visit to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, but did little to break the Brexit impasse with Dublin and Brussels.

BUSINESS

BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 1, 2019
Seven & I to scrap 7pay smartphone payment service in Japan after users hacked
The Tokyo-based retail giant and operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores said it will end the service on Sept. 30.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 1, 2019
U.S. Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for first time since 2008
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday the first interest rate cut since the financial crisis was to "insure against downside risks" but didn't signal the start of a lengthy easing cycle, drawing a sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2019
China and U.S. plan next round of trade talks for September
U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators have said they plan to meet again in early September, after the latest round of negotiations ended with few signs of concrete progress.
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2019
Tax on takeout food and nonalcoholic drinks in Japan to remain at 8 percent
Food eaten while walking or on public benches at amusement parks will be subject to a lower tax rate than food eaten in stores after the planned consumption tax hike in October, according to guidelines revised by the National Tax Agency on Thursday.
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2019
Defying pushback, Japan set to remove South Korea from 'white list' countries
South Korea had been the only Asian nation on Japan's “white list,” from which no entity has ever been removed.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 1, 2019
DiDi Mobility Japan starts taxi-hailing service in Aichi
DiDi Mobility Japan Corp. began offering its taxi-hailing service, used via smartphones, in Aichi Prefecture on Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2019
Asian business bloodlines on brink as lack of heirs pushes owners into arms of private equity
After 37 years in business, Shigeru Nagatomi handed over the keys in December last year. Nagatomi Pharmacy Corp., the Kyushu medical supplies shop bearing his family name, had grown to 23 dispensing pharmacies in Oita Prefecture .
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 1, 2019
Japan parts makers literally reinventing the wheel to keep up with shift to autonomous cars
The car industry is reinventing the wheel to prepare for autonomous vehicles.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2019
Facebook defeats appeal in U.S. claiming it aided Hamas attacks in Israel
Facebook Inc. on Wednesday defeated an appeal by American victims of Hamas attacks in Israel, who sought to hold the company liable for providing the group a social media platform to further its terrorist goals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2019
Ryanair tells ranks it has 900 more pilots and crew than needed
Ryanair has 500 more pilots and 400 more cabin crew than needed, and job losses will be announced in the coming weeks, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told staff in a video message vimeo.com/350780012/5abde31242.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Aug 1, 2019
The U.S. Federal Reserve cuts interest rates
The Fed's decision this week reduces its margin of error in addressing unexpected and expected developments, and increases the burden on other central bankers to be ready to step up as well.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 1, 2019
America is losing the battle of the Arctic
The Pentagon's new Arctic strategy isn't enough to counter Russia and China.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 1, 2019
Japan as No. 1: The 21st-century version
Japan never became the world's top economy, but it remains the global best in a number of critical categories.

Sports

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 1, 2019
Carp continue post-All-Star surge with one-sided victory over Giants
The Hiroshima Carp look like a team that's not quite ready to give up the Central League pennant they've held onto for the past three seasons — at least not without a fight.
Japan Times
Shibuya's Robert Sacre announces retirement
Robert Sacre, one of the top all-around centers in B. League history, has retired.

LIFE

Japan Times
Relaxing business lodging
Dormy Residences Ichigaya opened in the spring this year in the heart of Tokyo, a six-minute walk from JR Ichigaya Station that is easy to access from major stations such as Tokyo and Shinjuku.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Aug 1, 2019
Fall-flavored delights to look forward to
Taste the blessings of autumn at the Tokyo Station Hotel from Aug. 23 through November, when a robust range of fall produce stars at the hotel's bars and restaurants.

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