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JAPAN

JAPAN
Dec 29, 2019
Funeral prep for Emperor Hirohito began seven years before his death: declassified documents
The Foreign Ministry began funeral preparations for Emperor Hirohito seven years before his death, holding secret talks with the Imperial Household Agency on the matter in 1982, recently declassified ministry records show.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 29, 2019
LDP and Komeito mark 20th anniversary of alliance as policy clash on Constitution awaits
In a partnership that stretches back two decades, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, have deepened their reliance on each other.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Help Wanted?
Dec 29, 2019
Student's death reveals dark side of Bhutan-Japan exchange program
A year has passed since the lifeless body of a Bhutanese exchange student was discovered hanging from a tree in a public park in Fukuoka.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 29, 2019
Japan's immigration chief optimistic asylum and visa woes will improve in 2020
With Japan expecting to welcome a record 40 million visitors in 2020, including for the Summer Games, immigration authorities are strengthening security to manage the influx and prevent abuse of their policies.

ASIA PACIFIC

ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 29, 2019
China's Xi turns to financial experts to tame economic risks
As China struggles to deal with the slowdown of the world's second-largest economy, it has embarked on a new strategy of placing financial experts in provinces to manage risks and rebuild regional economies.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 29, 2019
Who's who among China's rising financial czars
Since 2018, China's President Xi Jinping has installed 12 former executives from government regulators or state-run financial institutions to top leadership posts across the country's provinces, regions and municipalities.
Samoa ends six-week state of emergency over measles
The South Pacific island nation of Samoa has lifted a six week-state of emergency after the infection rate from a measles outbreak that has swept the country started to come under control.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 29, 2019
Bell of London's famed Big Ben will ring on New Year's Eve
Britain's Big Ben bell in Parliament's landmark clock tower will ring at midnight on New Year's Eve, marking the start of a year for the first time since its new face was revealed from under scaffolding halfway through restoration work.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 29, 2019
Biden says he would testify at impeachment trial if subpoenaed
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden clarified his position on a suggestion he wouldn't comply with a potential subpoena to testify at President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 29, 2019
World's richest gain $1.2 trillion in 2019 as Jeff Bezos retains crown
The leveraging of a giant social-media presence, a song about sharks and a collection of junkyards are just a few of the curious ways that helped make 2019 a fertile year for fortunes to blossom around the world.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 29, 2019
Nintendo's Tokyo store isn't large enough for its fan base
Just before Christmas, a trip to Nintendo Co.'s flagship store in Tokyo would have required an hour's wait just to get in and buy a plush Mario toy or a set of chopsticks bearing Luigi's face.
BUSINESS
Dec 29, 2019
Protesters shut down Iraq's Nassiriya oil field
Protesters broke into Iraq's southern Nassiriya oil field on Saturday and forced employees to cut off electricity from its control station, taking the field offline until further notice, a security source and two oil sources said.

ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT
Dec 29, 2019
Bangladesh cold wave leaves at least 50 dead
At least 50 people have died in Bangladesh as cold weather continues to sweep across the country, officials said.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Dec 29, 2019
Delays and cost overruns at Henoko
The government needs to assess whether the Futenma replacement project — with the substantial delays, cost overruns and local opposition — is still a viable project.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 29, 2019
Negotiating while the world burns
The stunning technological progress during the 2010s makes it possible to cut emissions at a cost far lower than everyone dared hope a decade ago.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 29, 2019
How Instagram has changed the way we shop
It has also transformed the way we brag about what we bought.

Sports

Ryosuke Kikuchi joins list of players to hit wall in posting system
Musing about whether or not certain players will get posted is fairly commonplace in discussions about the top NPB players these days.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Dec 29, 2019
Sunrockers dominate Diamond Dolphins through full-squad effort
All 12 Sunrockers Shibuya players who dressed for Sunday's home game against the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins had a hand in the team's first-half scoring.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Dec 29, 2019
Yuki Kawamura and Kubema Joseph Steve power Fukuoka Daiichi to second straight Winter Cup
Fukuoka Daiichi added another crystal Winter Cup to its trophy shelf on Sunday with a dominant performance.

CULTURE

Japan Times
Looking back at the most influential Japanese songs of the 2010s
Given how Japanese music takes time to receive widespread recognition, what gems would the kids of the 2040s unearth from the decade that just passed?

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
Offbeat career driven by desire to continue learning
Moneytree has been a 'game changer' for Japan's digital banking environment, according to Chief Executive and founder Paul Chapman.

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