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November 2019
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JAPAN

JAPAN / Politics
Nov 22, 2019
G20 foreign ministers, including South Korea's Kang Kyung-wha, gather in Nagoya for Japan's last turn as host
Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies gathered in Nagoya on Friday, where they were set to discuss free trade, sustainable development and how to best assist rapidly growing economies in Africa.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 22, 2019
Japan must do more to fix China's image problem: Xi
In a statement likely to annoy some in Japan ahead of his visit planned for next spring, Chinese President Xi Jinping blamed the unpopularity of his country on Japanese bias and prejudice.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 22, 2019
GSOMIA survives as South Korea reverses decision to exit intel pact with Japan
The dramatic reversal just hours before the deadline came in the face of strong pressure from Washington and after Tokyo and Seoul reportedly narrowed their gap on trade.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2019
Japanese parents file liability lawsuit against state over joint custody rights
The 12 divorced parents want u00a512 million in damages for allegedly being denied the right to raise their children. They also want Japan to create a joint custody system.
Shuri Castle fire threatens Okinawa's tourism and traditional crafts industries
A predawn fire that destroyed much of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, has shocked the local tourism industry and associations of traditional Ryukyu Kingdom crafts, raising alarm about the loss of the historic attraction and potential harm to the prefecture's ability to promote its culture....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Nov 22, 2019
Massive increase in concentration of microplastics seen on beach facing Japan's Ise Bay
Some 60,000 particles of microplastics per square meter — meaning one particle per 16 square millimeters — are estimated to exist at Nasanohama beach on Toshi Island in Toba, Mie Prefecture, a study by Yokkaichi University professor Satoshi Chiba has revealed.
Japan Times
Hokkaido scholarships for foreign care workers draw nationwide attention amid labor crunch
Three municipalities, including Higashikawa in Hokkaido's Kamikawa subprefecture, and nursing care providers in the prefecture's north introduced in April a scholarship program for non-Japanese attending welfare services schools to encourage them to take up jobs at local nursing homes.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2019
Catholic priest in Nagasaki accused of sexual harassment
A woman in Nagasaki Prefecture has lodged a complaint with the police saying she was sexually harassed by a Catholic priest, it was learned Friday.
Less than a quarter of Kyushu municipalities have up-to-date flood risk maps
Production of flood hazard maps along rivers in Kyushu is lagging far behind other regions in Japan, with less than a quarter of municipalities required by law to create such maps having finished the work as of the end of March.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 22, 2019
Sake from Abe's home prefecture served at controversial Tokyo cherry blossom party
Dassai sake from Yamaguchi Prefecture, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's constituency is located, was used at the annual state-funded cherry blossom-viewing party that's now the subject of intense scrutiny, it was learned Friday.
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2019
In a show of resilience, arson-hit Kyoto Animation to continue training programs for aspiring animators
In a show of resilience following a deadly arson attack on one of its studios earlier this year, Kyoto Animation Co. has announced that it will continue to offer training programs for aspiring animators next year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2019
New Japan Justice Minister Masako Mori vows reforms to protect human rights
Justice Minister Masako Mori has pledged to prioritize the protection of human rights and support services for victims of crime in her new role.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 22, 2019
Sydney gasps for air as smoke from Australia's bush fires reaches record levels
The Australian state of New South Wales is gasping amid its worst levels of air pollution on record as smoke from bush fires causes a spike in hospital visits and reduces visibility for drivers.
Japan Times
As climate concerns mount, China set for massive coal expansion
China has enough coal-fired power plants in the pipeline to match the entire capacity of the European Union, driving the expansion in global coal power and confounding the movement against the polluting fossil fuel, according to a report.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 22, 2019
U.S. sends warships near South China Sea isles after Beijing demands it 'stop flexing muscles'
The U.S. Navy has sent warships on two occasions in recent days near islands claimed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea, the military told The Japan Times on Friday.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 22, 2019
Nine-year-old Belgian boy set to become world's youngest university graduate
As he cradles his young puppy in his arms, Laurent Simons looks much like any other 9-year-old boy. Then he starts describing his work at a university in the Netherlands, developing a computer circuit that will replicate a part of the brain.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 22, 2019
Study reveals music's universal patterns
From love songs to dance tunes to lullabies, music made in disparate cultures worldwide displays certain universal patterns, according to a study by researchers who suggest a commonality in the way human minds create music.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 22, 2019
Without better flood protection, Venice risks losing World Heritage status
Venice could lose its status as a World Heritage Site if it does not adequately protect itself from worsening flooding, UNESCO representatives have warned as they offered help after recent inundations.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2019
Three-quarters of U.S. kids killed in mass shootings were victims of domestic violence, study says
Three-quarters of U.S. children and teenagers killed in mass shootings over the past decade were victims of domestic violence and generally died in their homes, according to a study released on Thursday by the gun control group Everytown.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 22, 2019
Jeremy Corbyn has a radical Labour message. Can he sell it to Britain?
Jeremy Corbyn pulled no punches as he presented the country with his plan for a Labour government, the most radical proposed since 1983, when the party suffered its worst postwar defeat.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2019
House panel urges U.S. Supreme Court not to protect Trump financial records
A Democratic-led House of Representatives committee on Thursday urged the U.S. Supreme Court not to prevent President Donald Trump's longtime accounting firm from handing over his financial records that have been subpoenaed by lawmakers.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 22, 2019
Colombians march to keep wages and pensions intact as government warns against violence
Colombian unions, student groups and other protesters were marching on Thursday to insist the government maintain the minimum wage for young people and the universal right to a pension, even though the government says those are not part of reform plans.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2019
Serbia's president accuses Russia of massive spying but feels Putin is not in the loop
Serbian intelligence agencies have uncovered a wide-ranging intelligence operation involving Russian spies and members of the Serbian military, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 22, 2019
Sixteen migrants found in sealed container on France-to-Ireland ferry
The crew of a passenger ferry traveling to Ireland from France discovered 16 migrants stowed aboard in a sealed trailer on Thursday, a spokesman for the vessel's Swedish operator Stena Line said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2019
Trump ex-adviser Fiona Hill calls Ukraine election interference theory 'fictional narrative'
President Donald Trump's former Russia adviser, Fiona Hill, urged lawmakers in the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry on Thursday not to promote "politically driven falsehoods" that cast doubt on Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
Reborn Shibuya Parco hopes to regain iconic status amid tough times for brick-and-mortar stores
After a three-year renewal project, Shibuya Parco, an iconic shopping complex in the bustling central Tokyo district, is back in the game.
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
Slumping vehicle sales hit employment in Japan's auto sector
Slumping vehicle sales are starting to take a toll on the employment situation in the automotive industry.
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
Loss-making Japanese public-private farm fund may be dissolved
The finance and farm ministries will "thoroughly" review the operations of a struggling public-private investment fund aimed at supporting the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries, and may opt to dissolve it, sources with knowledge of the matter said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
Japan's ruling coalition begins discussions on tax reform
The ruling coalition started full discussions Thursday on tax system reforms for fiscal 2020, including proposed incentives for corporate investment and support for unmarried single parents.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
Propane shortage looms as strike at Canada's biggest railroad enters third day
Shippers scrambled to shift freight onto trucks on Thursday as a strike at Canada's biggest railroad, Canadian National Railway Co., entered its third day and left the critical fuel propane and other goods stranded.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
'Smart cities' urged to look beyond rich white men and target those in need
A growing push to put cities on a digital path to a greener future risks excluding groups like the poorest, disabled and elderly, and will fail to benefit those people unless technology is used to help meet their needs, rights advocates have warned.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 22, 2019
Bumble Bee files bankruptcy amid antitrust fines and lawsuits
Bumble Bee Foods LLC, the largest North American brand of packaged seafood, filed for bankruptcy amid criminal fines and civil lawsuits stemming from a federal price-fixing case with plans for its assets to be acquired by FCF Co. for about $925 million.
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
Boeing has settled more than half of Lion Air crash lawsuits, lawyer says
Boeing Co. has settled more than half of some 118 claims related to the fatal crash of a Lion Air flight on a 737 Max aircraft in October 2018, attorney Dan Webb said at a court hearing on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 22, 2019
Trump pledged to help small farms but aid is going to big ones
Donald Trump promised he would help embattled small farmers caught in the crossfire of his trade war with China. But big farms so far have been the main beneficiaries of the billions of dollars being distributed in aid payments.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2019
WeWork to lay off 2,400 employees globally in SoftBank revamp
WeWork said on Thursday it is laying off around 2,400 employees globally, as the office-sharing company seeks to drastically cut costs and stabilize its business after it transformed from a Wall Street darling into a pariah in a matter of weeks.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 22, 2019
U.S. labor market and manufacturing data point to slowing economy
The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits was unexpectedly unchanged at a five-month high last week, suggesting some softening in the labor market.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Nov 22, 2019
Still more unrest roils Iran
The growing tensions in Iran demand that all opportunities for diplomacy be explored.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 22, 2019
Japan and India — a special relationship
As the world's economic center of gravity shifts to Asia, it increasingly falls to these two countries to take up the baton to champion freedom, inclusivity, trade and other liberal values.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 22, 2019
Reversing the death of Venice
Today, the world is fretting over Venice's soaked and damaged urbs, but it has largely failed to recognize the extent to which the Venetian 'civitas' is in decline.

Sports

Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 22, 2019
Veteran Tochiozan clawing back to makuuchi in twilight of long career
After finishing five straight tournaments with a losing record, Tochiozan was demoted to the juryo division for the ongoing Fukuoka meet.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Nov 22, 2019
Japan's 3x3 squad for Tokyo 2020 takes shape
When 3x3 basketball's inclusion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was announced, longtime proponent Tomoya Ochiai was beside himself.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 22, 2019
Prolific winner Christophe Lemaire gears up for Japan Cup
Christophe Lemaire started his career as a horse racing jockey in 1999 in France, his home country.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 22, 2019
Japan Cup provides annual celebration of horse racing
When the entrance gates open at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, another chapter in the history of one of the world's most prestigious horse races will also open, and those passing through the gates on Sunday will experience the unique atmosphere that accompanies the running of the Japan Cup.

CULTURE

Japan Times
Ep. 23 'Friendship Between Men and Women'
I propose a very low-stakes drinking game for watching the recent episodes of "Terrace House" — you'll probably be parched by the end credits, though. Whenever Ruka appears on screen, take a sip of your beverage of choice. His appearances have become so rare lately that he's basically making cameos...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 22, 2019
Shintaro Sakamoto: The art of disappearing in plain sight
The former Yura Yura Teikoku frontman discusses his absence from the live music scene and how he feels singing in Japanese is no longer a barrier to international acclaim
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Nov 22, 2019
Bringing politics into Japanese clubs
Dance music has always had a political edge, but recent events in Tokyo show that clubs and politics are clashing on a more frequent basis

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