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November 2019
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JAPAN

JAPAN / Politics
Nov 21, 2019
Japanese parliamentary session unlikely to be extended
The government and ruling camp are planning not to extend the current extraordinary session of the Diet, which is scheduled to end on Dec. 9, sources in the administration said Thursday.
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2019
With visit to Japan, Pope Francis will fulfill decades-old dream of teaching the faith in Japan
Pope Francis' trip to Japan this weekend might fulfill a wish he gave up on decades ago as a young man in South America.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2019
'World class' Tokyo Aquatics Centre and Ariake Arena unveiled ahead of 2020 Olympics
Organizers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games unveiled the inside of two major venues to the media Thursday as they near completion, touting them as world-class facilities.
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2019
Hibakusha cardinal who broke silence after pope's 1981 visit pins high hopes on Francis in Hiroshima
Many Japanese are looking forward to Pope Francis' visit to Japan on Saturday, including Shoji Fukahori, an 82-year-old Christian priest and hibakusha in Hiroshima.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 21, 2019
Abe's push to change Japan's Constitution hits roadblock as parties scrap Diet discussion
LDP sources have said the party has all but given up hope of passing the bill this year, reports have said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 21, 2019
Hopes for 11th-hour deal dim as deadline for Japan-South Korea intel pact looms
As the clock ticks closer to the deadline for renewing the pact, Tokyo and Seoul appear no closer to bridging significant gaps.
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2019
Japan aims to offer subsidies to elderly drivers for cars with safety systems
The government plans to subsidize the purchases of cars with extra safety functions for those age 65 or over as part of steps to reduce traffic accidents, sources have said.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 21, 2019
Australian bush fires spread to Victoria state
Firefighters battled nearly 200 bush fires across Australia on Thursday as authorities issued a Code Red alert for parts of Victoria state and Sydney was blanketed in hazardous smoke for the third consecutive day.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Nov 21, 2019
Hong Kong students' escape via snake-infested sewers thwarted
Some anti-government protesters trapped inside a Hong Kong university on Wednesday tried to flee through the sewers, where one student said she saw snakes, but firemen prevented further escape bids by blocking a manhole into the system.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 21, 2019
Pentagon denies report U.S. mulls pulling up to 4,000 troops from South Korea
The United States has denied a South Korean news report that it is considering withdrawing up to 4,000 troops from South Korea if Seoul does not pay more for maintaining the 28,500-strong U.S. contingent deterring North Korean aggression.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 21, 2019
Amid impeachment drama, Senate helps Trump move U.S. courts to the right
The impeachment drama unfolding in the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives has not stopped President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans who control the Senate from helping him build on one of the biggest achievements of his presidency: making the federal judiciary more conservative.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 21, 2019
Iran's President Rouhani claims victory over unrest that Amnesty says left at least 106 dead
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declared on Wednesday that street unrest had been put down in a victory over foreign enemies, after a wave of violent demonstrations swept the country following a hike in fuel prices last week.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 21, 2019
Greener cities lower rates of premature death, research shows
City dwellers tend to live longer if they are in leafy neighborhoods, according to a study published earlier this week that linked green areas to lower rates of premature death.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 21, 2019
Trudeau reshuffles Cabinet amid anger in Canada's energy-rich west
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday made major changes to his Cabinet, making several ministerial appointments in a bid to help stave off increasing unhappiness in the energy-producing west.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 21, 2019
Trump camp prepares to send asylum seekers stopped at Mexico border to Guatemala
The Trump administration has begun an effort to send some asylum seekers encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border to Guatemala, a move that promises to transform the U.S. asylum system, according to three officials briefed on the initiative and related training materials.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 21, 2019
Trump debuts aggressive impeachment response with new hires, but allies fear he will trip himself up
The White House is engaging in a more aggressive and organized response to Democrats' impeachment inquiry after hiring two new aides, though his congressional allies say the effort remains handicapped by President Donald Trump's own unpredictable reactions.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 21, 2019
FBI has contacted Ukraine whistleblower's lawyers in probe
The FBI has contacted lawyers for the whistleblower whose complaint about President Donald Trump's July call with Ukraine's president helped kick-start the House impeachment inquiry.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 21, 2019
Aide claims Mike Pence never discussed Bidens or Ukraine company with Gordon Sondland
Vice President Mike Pence's office, responding to testimony on Wednesday by U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, said the two men had not discussed tying the release of U.S. aid to Ukraine to "potential investigations" during a September trip to Poland.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 21, 2019
Israel launches retaliatory airstrikes in Syria; Damascus says two killed
Israel said its aircraft struck dozens of Iranian and Syrian military targets in Syria on Wednesday in retaliation for rockets fired toward Israel a day earlier.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 21, 2019
Zelenskiy unveils restored bridge in conflict-torn eastern Ukraine ahead of peace summit
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday unveiled a rebuilt bridge that was blown up in eastern Ukraine in 2015, among several confidence-building measures before a summit next month meant to end a conflict with Russian-backed separatist forces.

BUSINESS

BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2019
Sony in talks to buy stake in Indian TV network
Sony Corp. is in talks to acquire a stake in the Indian television network controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, as the Japanese giant seeks to tap booming demand for content in the South Asian nation, according to people familiar with the matter.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 21, 2019
Japan Post to resume marketing of savings products after suspension due to irregularities
Japan Post Co. said Wednesday that it will resume marketing activities for savings products offered by Japan Post Bank Co. on Monday, following a suspension due to sales irregularities involving Japan Post Insurance Co.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
Los Angeles Auto Show's green emphasis is no coincidence in climate-minded California
Batteries and big price tags are all the rage at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show.
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
Sales of French Beaujolais Nouveau begin in Japan
This year's Beaujolais Nouveau wine, produced in the Bourgogne region of France, went on sale in Japan on Thursday.
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
Japan's ruling bloc calls for ¥10 trillion to boost typhoon recovery and slowing growth
Analysts have doubts about the ability to spend such a large amount given the government debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 21, 2019
Japan's FSA proposes revamp of Tokyo Stock Exchange and Topix
The Financial Services Agency proposed on Wednesday realigning the Tokyo Stock Exchange into three trading markets from the current four.
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
SoftBank in talks with Japanese banks as it seeks loans to bail out WeWork
SoftBank Group Corp. is in talks with partner financial institutions including Mizuho Bank to secure loans totaling ¥200 billion to ¥300 billion to support The We Co., operator of the WeWork office-sharing business, sources with knowledge of the matter said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
Japan to allow tax-free shopping at vending machines that recognize faces and passports
The government and ruling coalition are planning to allow tax-free shopping for purchases at specific vending machines in a bid to spur spending by foreign tourists, sources said Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 21, 2019
Google won't give election advertisers data on political leanings or voting records
Google will stop giving advertisers the ability to target election ads using data such as public voter records and general political affiliations, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
GM sues Fiat Chrysler, alleging union bribery scheme cost it billions
General Motors Co. on Wednesday filed a racketeering lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, alleging that its rival bribed United Auto Workers (UAW) union officials over many years to corrupt the bargaining process and gain advantages, costing GM billions of dollars.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 21, 2019
Talks continue to end strike at Canada's biggest railway as factories slow output
Talks to end a strike by thousands of workers at Canada's biggest railroad, Canadian National Railway Co., continued on Wednesday, as industrial plants slowed output of products cut off from their markets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019
Hitler's top hat, Evan Braun cocktail dress up for auction in Germany
Nazi memorabilia including Hitler's top hat and a cocktail dress worn by his companion Eva Braun is going under the hammer at a German auction house, drawing calls from the Jewish community to stop a sale it deems immoral.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Nov 21, 2019
Sri Lanka returns an authoritarian to power
The return to power of the Rajapaksa clan could redirect the country's geopolitical orientation toward China, a potentially important shift given the island's location astride vital sea lanes.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 21, 2019
Japan's global leadership in the G-Zero world
How should and how can Japan navigate the world's emerging transformative and chaotic landscape?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 21, 2019
Asia's twin curse: Dams and droughts
A proliferation of upstream dams is beginning to impose costs across much of Asia.

Sports

Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 21, 2019
Relatively light Takanoyama paid his dues in lower ranks
About five years ago a sumo video went viral online and was widely shared on websites dedicated to other fighting sports.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Nov 21, 2019
Wizards' Rui Hachimura off to successful start to NBA career
Centuries before basketball was invented, William Shakespeare reflected on the subject of greatness. The Great Bard once summed it up this way: "Be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."

LIFE

LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Nov 21, 2019
Seasonal treats against a sparkling backdrop
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is pulling out all stops as the year — and decade — reach their celebratory conclusion, presenting an end of year buffet running daily from 7 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 28 to Dec. 28.
LIFE / EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Nov 21, 2019
European artworks on display
An exhibition showcasing artworks from museum collections in Hungary will be held at the National Art Center, Tokyo, in Roppongi, Minato Ward, from Dec. 4 to March 16.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / Nikko Special
Nov 21, 2019
Commemorating 20 years of UNESCO status
On Nov. 21 and 22, the city of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture will host the 6th World Heritage Summit coinciding with the commemoration of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko being added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage list. The summit will...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / Nikko Special
Nov 21, 2019
30 hours of wonder: Shrines, temples and hot springs
The city of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is one of the brightest lights in the Japanese sightseeing firmament, which is apt, given that its name literally translates to "sunshine." With some amazing attractions from World Heritage sites dating back to the eighth century to picturesque hiking trails and...

CULTURE

Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 21, 2019
Julia Roberts once floated for role as African-American slavery hero Harriet Tubman
A Hollywood movie studio executive once suggested that Julia Roberts could play Harriet Tubman, the 19th century escaped slave who is seen as an African-American icon.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 21, 2019
'The 47 Ronin in Debt': Samurai revenge plot by the numbers
Yoshihiro Nakamura's 'The 47 Ronin in Debt' aims to humanize 'Chushingura,' Japan's best-known samurai story, by weaving in period financial figures
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 21, 2019
'Earthquake Bird': A solid adaptation, but no high flyer
An adaption of a 2001 novel by Susanna Jones, 'Earthquake Bird' looks at Tokyo in 1989 and tells the story of an explosive love triangle
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 21, 2019
Juliette Binoche: 'There's something in the present that's more real'
The French actress discusses her love of Japan and her work with Japanese film directors, as well as her recent stint as a performing arts judge

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