archive

 
 
January 2020
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« DecFeb »

JAPAN

JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 4, 2020
Japan's bureaucrats take top news honors in 2019
A year ago, the big news story in Japan was former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn languishing in a jail cell while the media discussed whether he should be there, thus sparking an overdue discussion about the country's so-called hostage justice system. It was a nice discussion while it lasted. 
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jan 4, 2020
From hangover cures to prairie dogs, tabloids end 2019 with a bang
For their final issues of December, the weeklies — their covers trimmed in gold color (except for the Sunday Mainichi, which came out in yellow-orange) — typically publish two-week bumper issues with extra pages. This gives many of them leeway to write about lots of timely topics. For instance, journalist...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jan 4, 2020
Predicting Japan's digital trends of the next decade
Last year was all about looking back. Between the end of the Heisei Era (1989-2019) and the decade coming to a close, people appeared to go to extra lengths to reflect on the recent and not-so-recent past (this column included). Now that we’ve entered 2020, though, it’s time to leave the highlights...
Japan Times
Japan Times 1995: Powerful earthquake kills hundreds in Kansai
More than 1,600 people were confirmed killed and some 1,000 others listed as missing in the most catastrophic earthquake to hit the Kansai region in nearly 50 years.
The importance of defining organized crime in Japan
The definition of a crime is a critical part of law enforcement. After all, what constitutes a crime such as theft is fundamental to working out whether or not someone is ultimately guilty of committing the offense.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / ANALYSIS
Jan 4, 2020
Carlos Ghosn's escape ramps up pressure on foreign suspects and Japanese justice system
The Tokyo District Court let Carlos Ghosn post bail last March, overruling prosecutors' objections that he was a flight risk. After all, how could one of the most recognizable foreign people in the country flee while under round-the-clock surveillance?

ASIA PACIFIC

ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 4, 2020
11 North Korean defectors held in Vietnam released thanks to Europeans
A group of 11 North Koreans who were detained in Vietnam while seeking to defect to South Korea have been released thanks to the help of European institutions, a Seoul-based activist group said on Saturday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 4, 2020
Death toll in Jakarta flooding rises to 53; nearly 175,000 displaced
Nearly 175,000 people remain displaced in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta and nearby towns on Saturday after flash floods and landslides killed at least 53 people amid some of the heaviest rain since records began, authorities said.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 4, 2020
How Iran's Soleimani plotted to attack U.S. forces in Iraq
In October, Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani met with his Iraqi Shiite militia allies at a villa on the banks of the Tigris River, looking across at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
WORLD
Jan 4, 2020
Singular 'they' chosen as word of the decade in U.S.
American linguists on Friday chose "they" as their word of the decade, recognizing the growing use of third-person plural pronouns as a singular form to refer to people who identify their sex as neither entirely male nor entirely female.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 4, 2020
Four generations of British rulers mark new decade with rare portrait
Buckingham Palace has issued a new photographic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, her son Prince Charles, her grandson Prince William and her great-grandson Prince George to mark the start of the new decade.

BUSINESS

BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 4, 2020
U.S. limits exports of AI software in bid to keep tech out of rivals' hands
The Trump administration took measures on Friday to crimp exports of artificial intelligence software as part of a bid to keep sensitive technologies out of the hands of rival powers like China.

ENVIRONMENT

Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Jan 4, 2020
More than 1,000 traumatized Australian bush fire evacuees transfered to safety of Melbourne
Over 1,000 residents and vacationers who had been stranded on a beach by bushfires in southeastern Australia landed near Melbourne on Saturday after a 20-hour journey on two ships, relieved to escape terrifying smoke and fire.

Opinion

Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2020
What a decade of Netflix did to Hollywood
The rise of the streaming-video leader has spurred a rash of mergers that are transforming the industry.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2020
2019's best movies (for lessons in behavioral economics)
The annual Becons single out 'Luce,' a perfect example of 'motivated reasoning.'

Sports

Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jan 4, 2020
Brave Thunders extend win streak to 16; Golden Kings halt Brex's 15-game unbeaten run
The Kawasaki Brave Thunders built a big lead in the first half on Saturday against the visiting Toyama Grouses.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 4, 2020
India's Irfan Pathan announces retirement from cricket
Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of the game on Saturday, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career that included a World Twenty20 triumph.

LIFE

Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 4, 2020
The rapidly maturing market for Japan's artisanal cheeses
Few people associate Japan with artisanal cheese. But since the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement came into effect last year, Japanese cheese is gaining a global reputation for quality and innovative use of terroir.
Japan Times
A toast to mingei: 'The finest assemblage of Japanese folk crafts outside Japan'
Today, Jeffrey Montgomery's mingei (folk crafts) collection is well-known among international dealers and many of his pieces are of a quality rarely seen today, even in Japan; some are unique.
Japan Times
Taishu Sakaba Raincolor: Start the decade with the down-home and delicious
The first meal of the year is always important. When it's the first of the decade, though, it surely takes on even weightier significance. So what's it to be? Fine dining or casual? Traditional or contemporary? Homegrown Japanese, something from overseas or perhaps some nifty fusion? Wait, don't overthink...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 4, 2020
Mo'mugi: A Canadian take on Japan's barley tea
In Japan, mugicha (barley tea) is a ubiquitous and generally unremarkable drink. But for Janice Ishizaka, CEO and cofounder of The Canadian Barley Tea Company, the drink's lack of appreciation represents an opportunity to create a new, healthy, made-in-Canada beverage.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Jan 4, 2020
Krispy Kreme's new Year of the Rat doughnuts are cuter than you might think
How do you make Year of the Rat-themed sweets adorable? Look to the mouse, of course.

CULTURE

CULTURE / Books
Jan 4, 2020
The books and translations about Japan to watch out for in 2020
A new decade brings a whole host of translations from prize-winning Japanese authors and books about Japan, from detective fiction to geopolitical studies.
CULTURE / Books
Jan 4, 2020
Books to get you in the mood for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
In this grand year of Olympic celebration, here are the books that view sport authentically, acknowledging both the very best and worst of humanity.

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
Motoki Hirai: Spreading the power of music
As an 'artistic emissary for the Japanese government, pianist and composer Motoki Hirai travels the world to promote Japanese culture and heal hearts with music.
COMMUNITY / Voices / OVERHEARD
Jan 4, 2020
Good luck tax
'Do you know why they ring the temple bell 108 times on New Year?'

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