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August 2019
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JAPAN

JAPAN / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
Abe pledges to push Japanese investment in Africa but steers clear of target at TICAD
A three-day conference on African development kicked off Wednesday in Yokohama, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to aggressively promote private-sector investment in Africa in his opening speech but failed to set a new numerical target on funds to be funneled to the continent.
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2019
Japan's Defense Ministry to redo surveys for Aegis Ashore deployment after flawed data revealed
The Defense Ministry presented a detailed plan on Wednesday for new surveys at candidate sites for the deployment of the Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system.
Japan-South Korea relations: Where did it all go wrong?
More than half a century has passed since the normalization of Japan-South Korea ties in 1965. Ahead of the 55th anniversary in 2020, the relationship between the two countries has hit rock bottom.
Japan Times
Tokyo's decision to bring dispute into economic arena ruined ties
No matter how many historical or political issues exist between Japan and South Korea, friendly relations were maintained through economic ties, but such ties were severely harmed when Japan imposed trade restrictions on South Korea in July.
Japan Times
Moon's anti-Japanese policy at the root of fractured relations
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, whose distorted perception of Japan has led to the current deterioration in bilateral ties, has stepped up his administration's harsh anti-Japanese policy since Tokyo decided to implement stricter export controls on its neighbor.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Aug 28, 2019
Trump's de facto blessing of North Korea's missile tests sends ominous message to Japan
U.S. President Donald Trump may not mind North Korea's repeated tests of short-range missiles, but his not-so-begrudging acceptance of the North's actions is sending an unmistakable message to Asian allies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2019
JR East and Tokyo Metro to debut special IC cards aimed at tourists
From Sunday, visitors to Japan will be able to go cashless while traveling across the country, with major rail operators set to release new rechargeable prepaid transportation IC cards for tourists.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
U.S. hopes South Korea and Japan can rebuild ties from 'rock bottom'
The United States has expressed concern over South Korea's recent military drills on Sea of Japan islands claimed by Tokyo, a senior State Department official said Tuesday, adding that the U.S. hopes the row between the two allies does not worsen.
JAPAN
Aug 28, 2019
Narita Airport's electronic customs gates open to foreign visitors
Tokyo Customs on Tuesday started to make electronic customs declaration gates at Narita International Airport available to foreign nationals visiting Japan.

ASIA PACIFIC

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
Hong Kong protesters denounce Cathay Pacific for firing cabin crew
Hundreds of people protested in Hong Kong on Wednesday to denounce Cathay Pacific Airways for dismissing crew taking part in or supporting anti-government rallies that have swept the Chinese-ruled city for weeks.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 28, 2019
As maritime rows resurface, Duterte readies to raise South China Sea ruling with Xi
When Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte visits China this week, he'll need to salvage something from a "pivot" to Beijing that has left him empty-handed and exposed his neighbors to a new level of brinkmanship in the South China Sea.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society / FOCUS
Aug 28, 2019
Thailand may become first in Southeast Asia to allow same-sex unions
In Thailand, the ruling coalition and opposition lawmakers don't agree on much. Yet within both camps there's growing support for legalizing same-sex unions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 28, 2019
'Now or never': Hong Kong protesters say they have nothing to lose
Exasperated with the government's unflinching attitude to escalating civil unrest, Jason Tse quit his job in Australia and jumped on a plane to join what he believes is a do-or-die fight for Hong Kong's future.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 28, 2019
As the climate shifts, Central America confronts a deadly dengue outbreak
Central America is grappling with its worst outbreak of dengue fever in decades — and scientists say the disease is likely to spread and become more frequent in the future due to climate change.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
Italy inches closer to new government amid party haggling
Tense talks aimed at forming a new Italian government inched forward on Wednesday as two major political parties, struggling to bury years of hostility and avoid snap elections, agreed to re-install Giuseppe Conte as prime minister.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 28, 2019
Syrian rebels push back against Russia-backed regime forces' advances in Idlib
Syrian rebels on Tuesday launched a wide-scale attack against a five-month Russia-backed Syrian army campaign aiming to take back the opposition's last major bastion, opposition officials, rebels and residents said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
Trump team taps FEMA, Coast Guard and cybersecurity funds to cover immigration crackdown agenda
The Trump administration is shifting $271 million earmarked for disaster aid and cyber security to pay for immigration-related facilities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a leading congressional Democrat said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Aug 28, 2019
Deutsche Bank says records sought in Trump congressional probe include tax returns, without elaborating
Financial records related to U.S. President Donald Trump and three of his children that congressional Democrats have requested from Deutsche Bank AG include tax returns, the bank disclosed in a court filing on Tuesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
Brazil's neighbors call for meeting and Amazon pact as fires rage
Peru and Colombia called on Tuesday on fellow Amazonian countries to attend a presidential meeting next month on the forest fires raging in Brazil and Bolivia and to forge a pact to protect the world's largest tropical forest.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 28, 2019
Fearing invasion by Erdogan's forces, Syrian Kurdish YPG to withdraw from strip along Turkish border
The Kurdish YPG militia will pull forces and heavy weapons from a strip along Syria's border with Turkey under U.S.-Turkish deals, an official in the YPG-led alliance said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Aug 28, 2019
Burundi plans to repatriate 200,000 refugees from Tanzania, sparking fears of forced returns
Burundi said on Tuesday it would start repatriating 200,000 of its refugees from neighboring Tanzania in October, sparking fears of forced returns among those who have crossed the border to escape violence.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 28, 2019
Macron must take back 'insults' for Brazil to accept G7 Amazon fire aid, Bolsonaro says
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday he wants French President Emmanuel Macron to withdraw the "insults" made against him before he considers accepting a $20 million offer from the G7 nations to help fight forest fires in the Amazon.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2019
With changes to phone sales in Japan threatening its bottom line, Apple hits out at 'unfair' rules
Government-mandated changes to the discounts mobile carriers can offer on handset devices starting in October could put an end to Apple's dominant market share.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 28, 2019
Toyota and Suzuki to form capital alliance as auto industry undergoes dramatic shift
Toyota will acquire 5 percent of Suzuki shares for about u00a596 billion, while Suzuki will get a smaller holding valued at about u00a548 billion in Japan's biggest automaker.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2019
Japan credit card firms may apply discounts to monthly payments to ease impact of tax hike
Major credit card companies are considering deducting points earned during purchases from the balance requiring payment, under a government rebate program intended to cushion the impact of the consumption tax hike planned for October, it was learned Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 28, 2019
Japanese government becomes top shareholder of Shinsei Bank
The government has effectively become the top shareholder of Shinsei Bank Ltd., with a stake of about 19 percent in terms of voting rights, replacing U.S. investment fund J.C. Flowers & Co.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 28, 2019
Purdue Pharma discussing up to $12 billion offer to settle over 2,000 opioid claims and filing for bankruptcy
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP and its owners, the Sackler family, are in discussion to settle more than 2,000 lawsuits against the company for $10 billion to $12 billion, two people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Aug 28, 2019
Protecting the interests of freelancers
Measures need to be implemented to ensure that freelancers are treated fairly by their corporate clients.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 28, 2019
Japan's war crimes, colonialism and apologies
Both Japan and South Korea must aim for objectivity and impartiality in their grasp of their history.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 28, 2019
The real problem in Hong Kong is inequality
The failure of the government to address the problem stems from the electoral politics to which the protesters are so committed.

Sports

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 28, 2019
Japan slow to offer support to women's sumo
"It's not only boys who can practice and enjoy sumo. There are girls that like sumo too. I hope someday women can become pros."
SOCCER / From the Spot
Aug 28, 2019
Fernando Torres retires with positive J. League legacy
After a night of pomp and circumstance, Fernando Torres' professional career came to a close on Friday as he played his last game wearing the neon blue and pink of Sagan Tosu.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Aug 28, 2019
Former Japan stars praise growth
Former Japan men's basketball players Takehiko Orimo and Kei Igarashi are grateful the team's current iteration has raised its level in order to compete on the global level.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 28, 2019
French investigators focus on Dentsu partner in sports corruption probe
French authorities investigating corruption in international sports believe a Swiss partner of Japanese advertising giant Dentsu Inc. played a "central and essential role" in deals used to embezzle sponsorship money and have asked Switzerland to raid its office and seize evidence, according to a person...

CULTURE

Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 28, 2019
Haruhiko Arai: Still pushing boundaries after 40 years in film
In a four-decade career, Haruhiko Arai has become an acclaimed scriptwriter with credits that include "Vibrator" (2003), "It's Only Talk" (2005) and "Kabukicho Love Hotel" (2014), three of the best films by his frequent collaborator, the director Ryuichi Hiroki.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 28, 2019
'Mugen Foundation': When adolescence becomes too much
The seishun eiga (youth film) is not exclusive to Japan — plenty of films from elsewhere deal with the joys and agonies of adolescence — but this popular genre has acquired certain only-in-Japan quirks.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 28, 2019
'Ni no Kuni': Two worlds but little life to be found
Two things about "Ni no Kuni." 1) It features a protagonist who uses a wheelchair, an admirable display of diversity and inclusion in a medium that rarely features characters with disabilities. 2) There isn't much else to like about the film.

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Aug 28, 2019
It takes a village to raise an Olympic hopeful
Deborah Grow reflects on her journey as a 'judo mom' and her son Sanshiro's dream to become an Olympian.
Japan Times
Community and deals at the Oi Racecourse Flea Market
Oi Racecourse Flea Market is a mismatch of stalls and sellers that is a surprisingly exciting insight into a different side of Tokyo.

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