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JAPAN

JAPAN / Politics
Jan 20, 2020
In policy speech, Abe vows to establish 'new era of Japanese diplomacy'
The prime minister Monday focused his speech on foreign policy, delivering a notable change in phrasing regarding South Korea.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2020
Blind tours at Saitama temple teach about lifestyles of visually impaired
Every month, a unique event is held at a temple in Saitama Prefecture to help people get a better understanding of visual impairment by having them walk through the temple wearing eye masks and depend more on their senses of hearing and smell.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 20, 2020
Carlos Ghosn's exoneration hopes rest on Lebanese safety net
Moments before launching into his raucous news conference in Beirut earlier this month, Carlos Ghosn was enthusiastically greeted by a throng of local journalists who crowded around his lectern, taking turns to embrace the fallen automotive titan and snapping souvenir selfies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Jan 20, 2020
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to be named for black Pearl Harbor hero
In an honor usually reserved for presidents, the U.S. Navy said Sunday that it would name a future Ford-class aircraft carrier after Doris "Dorie" Miller, the African American mess attendant who heroically leapt into combat — despite limited training — during Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor....
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2020
Japan ranked 15th worldwide for social mobility: World Economic Forum report
Japan has the 15th highest level of social mobility in the world, according to a report published Monday by the World Economic Forum.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2020
Japan mulling legislation to ban smuggling of wagyu genetic materials
The agriculture ministry will propose a new law aimed at preventing the smuggling to other countries of genetic materials, such as fertilized eggs and semen, related to wagyu cattle.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 20, 2020
Hong Kong leaders rebuff protest demand as violence persists
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's government again pushed back on a key demand of protesters as a downtown rally turned violent, showing the unrest that began last June still has no end in sight.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 20, 2020
Australia boosts emergency funding for bush fire-affected businesses
Australia on Monday boosted emergency grants and loans for small businesses hit by bush fires that have ravaged the country during the peak tourist season, as firefighters used cooler weather to prepare for a return of hazardous fire conditions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 20, 2020
Search for four South Korean trekkers and guide trio missing in Nepal avalanche could take weeks
A search and rescue operation for the four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides missing after being struck by an avalanche in northwest Nepal could take weeks due to bad weather, rescuers said on Sunday.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 20, 2020
Iran will pull out of NPT if nuclear issue is referred to U.N., top diplomat says
If Iran's nuclear file is sent to the United Nations Security Council, then Iran will withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday, according to the official IRNA news agency.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 20, 2020
'Sad' Prince Harry says no other option but to end royal role
BBritain’s Prince Harry spoke on Sunday of his sadness at being forced to give up his royal duties in a deal with Queen Elizabeth II and senior Windsors that will see him and his wife, Meghan, exit official roles to seek an independent future.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 20, 2020
Candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders try to move past feud as early voters sound alarm
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders attempted over the weekend to tamp down a weeklong disagreement over whether Sanders told Warren in a 2018 private meeting that a woman could not beat Republican President Donald Trump in 2020.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 20, 2020
Democrat candidate Michael Bloomberg vows to narrow wealth gap for black Americans
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg on Sunday pledged to narrow the wealth gap between black and white Americans by boosting black ownership of homes and businesses and investing in poor neighborhoods.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
From anime to reality: Mobile 25-ton Gundam robot to be built in Yokohama
What was once thought limited to the realm of animation is set to become reality in Yokohama this fall when an 18-meter mobile Gundam robot steps into action.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
Global survey finds capitalism is apparently doing more harm than good
A majority of people around the world believe capitalism in its current form is doing more harm than good, a survey found ahead of this week's Davos meeting of business and political leaders.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 20, 2020
Toshiba Machine shares surge 19% on Murakami's surprise bid
Toshiba Machine Co.'s share price soared Monday after the company said Japan's best-known activist investor, Yoshiaki Murakami, plans a tender offer.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 20, 2020
Shin Kyuk-ho, founder of Lotte business dynasty, dies at 97 in Seoul
Shin Kyuk-ho, a wartime migrant to Japan who returned home to build a little-known chewing-gum maker into the Lotte Group, South Korea's biggest retailer, has died. He was 97.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
Nomura hiring dozens to expand wealth-management drive to rest of Asia
Nomura Holdings Inc. plans to hire dozens of private bankers in Hong Kong and Singapore in a bid to extend its wealth management push from Japan and mainland China to the rest of Asia.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
U.N.'s decarbonization target for shipping to cost over $1 trillion, study says
At least $1 trillion of investment in new fuel technology is needed to enable the shipping industry to meet U.N. targets for cuts in carbon emissions by 2050, a study published on Monday showed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
China unveils plan to reduce single-use plastic by 2025
China's top economic planner said it would cut the production and use of plastic over the next five years, helping reduce one of the world's biggest sources of plastic pollution.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Davos Special 2020
Jan 20, 2020
WEF gathering in Davos strives for solutions amid global instability
In 1971, the inaugural European Management Symposium was held in Davos, a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, the event a precursor to what would later become the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.
Japan Times
Creativity and perseverance for a sustainable future
The pollution caused by marine plastic litter has generated global attention in recent years. At the G20 Osaka Summit in June, countries agreed to take strong action to prevent and significantly reduce discharges of plastic litter and microplastics to the oceans, having adopted the "Osaka Blue Ocean...
Islands of abundant nature spoiled by ocean waste
Situated in the Sea of Japan and wedged between the Kyushu region of southwestern Japan and the Korean Peninsula, Tsushima is a group of islands with a resident population of 30,000 people. The blue, clear ocean waters encircling Tsushima are a popular spot for fishing and marine sports, while on the...
Local initiatives keeping the 'Singing Sands' alive
A beach of pure white sand extending for as far as the eye can see... Such a landscape is one fine example of particularly Japanese natural scenery. Kotohiki Beach, which has long been known as a place of picturesque scenery seems like something out of a painting. Many visitors reach the beach in Kyotango, part of Kyoto Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan.
Wood and paper surpass plastic
Japanese companies are addressing the global issue of plastic waste with traditional techniques, novel ideas and a strong desire to help bring about a sustainable, recycling-oriented society.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Davos Special 2020
Jan 20, 2020
How Japan can leverage its long history of stakeholder capitalism
The concept of stakeholder capitalism has long been familiar in Japan. Businesses have been aware of the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders and acting for the good of society since the Edo Period (1603 to 1868) and the Meiji Era (1868 to 1912).
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
Climate activists dressed as koalas set off on mountain hike to Davos
Climate activists set off on a three-day hike from Landquart in eastern Switzerland to the ski resort of Davos on Sunday to draw attention to global warming at the World Economic Forum this week.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2020
Tesla moves step closer to opening first European factory with German property deal
U.S. electric car pioneer Tesla has agreed to buy a property on the outskirts of Berlin, bringing it a step closer to opening its first European factory, local authorities said on Sunday.

Opinion

COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 20, 2020
The state of the Japan-U.S. alliance at 60
Over the longer term, the alliance must cope with a growing sense of fatigue among the U.S. public about overseas engagements.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 20, 2020
Why think tanks matter in Japan
Ideally Japan's think tanks should be able to help steer the best and brightest young people into government service.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 20, 2020
Trump is putting the credibility question to test
The longstanding academic debate over reputation and foreign policy is having real-world effects.

Sports

SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 20, 2020
Legendary Futabayama set standard for sumo greatness
Yokozuna Hakuho's incredible 43 championships, 15 perfect titles and numerous other records and achievements rightly see him often referred to as the greatest rikishi in the history of sumo.
BASKETBALL
Jan 20, 2020
Yudai Baba shines for Legends in rout
Yudai Baba had his best all-around game in the NBA G League on Saturday.

LIFE

Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 20, 2020
Chocolate is getting weirder by the day
Infusing chocolate with unusual ingredients keeps the old-school confection on the rise while others are dying out.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jan 20, 2020
Handmade in Japan with love
From horizontal vases to panty-clad glasses, Japan's handmade market can offer some extraordinary gift ideas for Valentine's Day.

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Jan 20, 2020
Pele is one pup you'll want on your team
Regular readers of The Japan Times may remember Pele. This handsome dog was featured here more than three years ago when he was just a pup at 1 year old. Sadly, he's still sitting in the shelter waiting for the right person to come along and give him a real home.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jan 20, 2020
Remain calm when stopped by the police in Japan
Non-Japanese residents face a pretty high chance of being randomly stopped by the police. Make sure you know your rights ahead of time.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jan 20, 2020
Once upon a time ... in Azabu Juban
Police harassment is a fact of life for some people in Japan, which makes the occasional flash of progress all the more rewarding.

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan