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JAPAN

JAPAN
Jan 21, 2020
As foreign tourists to Japan increase, so do their consumer gripes
As visitors to Japan increase ahead of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, so have cases of tourists becoming embroiled in consumer problems.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2020
Merger of Japan opposition parties remains elusive as DPP lawmakers balk at immediate action
An endeavor to merge the two largest opposition parties in Japan ground to a halt Tuesday, after the Democratic Party for the People failed to reach internal consensus ahead of a deadline on consolidation the previous day.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2020
Drop in South Korean tourists to Japan continues amid frayed ties
The number of tourists visiting Japan from South Korea continues to decline amid soured relations between the two countries, dealing a serious blow to destinations popular with South Korean visitors.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2020
Japan's new visa system on track to fall far short of target
The government is likely to fall far short of its target of issuing work permits under a new visa system to 340,000 non-Japanese over the next five years to alleviate acute labor shortages in 14 sectors.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2020
Wipe out: Japan's ski slopes suffering worst winter in decades
Japan's ski resorts are suffering through one of the worst snow seasons on record, disappointing locals and foreign tourists, and jeopardizing the country's budding reputation as an international ski destination.

ASIA PACIFIC

Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 21, 2020
In similar move to Japan, South Korea to deploy anti-piracy unit to Middle East amid U.S. pressure
South Korea’s military will send an independent contingent to the Middle East to help guard oil tankers amid rising regional tensions rather than participating in a U.S.-led coalition, the Defense Ministry in Seoul announced Tuesday, taking a page out of the Self-Defense Forces’ playbook.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 21, 2020
Deadly coronavirus finds a breeding ground in China's food markets
Leaning over a metal cage stuffed with live hens in Shanghai, Ran looked for just the right specimen for her chicken soup. The 60-year-old was shopping at one of China's wet markets, where sales of freshly slaughtered, unpackaged meat have become the focus of an investigation into an outbreak of a potentially...
Japan Times
Australia to screen some flights from China, but warns coronavirus difficult to stop
Australia will begin screening passengers arriving from a Chinese city in a bid to stop the spread of a new coronavirus, the country's chief medical officer said Tuesday, although authorities warned that an outbreak would be hard to prevent.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2020
Get ready for 'peak decade,' strategists tell peers at Davos
Amid the Alpine peaks of the Swiss resort of Davos this week, politicians, investors and executives are busy debating whether we are witnessing peaks in multiple key drivers of the world economy.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 21, 2020
Climate change is killing alpine skiing
At the northern edge of the Alps, ski runs near the foot of Germany's highest mountain snake down the greenish-brown slopes in narrow white ribbons of artificial snow.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2020
U.K.'s Johnson defeated on Brexit legislation for first time since election
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government was defeated in Parliament on Monday for the first time since a December election, with the upper chamber voting in favor of a move to protect the rights of EU citizens in Britain after Brexit.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2020
Four NTT group companies and two others to set up Japanese esports firm
Six Japanese companies, including four under the wing of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., will establish an esports joint venture on Jan. 31, the firms said Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 21, 2020
Japan considering fee system for 5G networks to subsidize launch of services in rural areas
The communications ministry is considering introducing a system to charge internet users a fee so that fiber-optic infrastructure for 5G wireless networks can be constructed and maintained across the country, informed sources said Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 21, 2020
Yoshiaki Murakami fund launches ¥25.9 billion hostile bid for Toshiba Machine
City Index Eleventh Co. said it will offer u00a53,456 per Toshiba Machine share to buy up to 43.82 percent of the molding machine company.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2020
Japan's central bank keeps monetary policy steady, lifts growth forecast on receding global risks
The Bank of Japan on Tuesday kept monetary policy steady and nudged up its economic growth forecasts as the government's stimulus package and receding pessimism over the global outlook took some pressure off the central bank to alter course.
Tokyo stocks tumble amid new coronavirus fears
Stocks in Tokyo turned sharply lower Tuesday in the wake of heightened fears over the spread of a new coronavirus battering Chinese shares.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 21, 2020
Subaru to raise amount of electric, plug-in hybrid vehicles it's selling to 40% in 2030
Subaru Corp. is aiming to raise the proportion of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in all of its automobiles sold across the globe to 40 percent in 2030.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 21, 2020
Netflix to stream Studio Ghibli anime globally — except in Japan and North America
Netflix Inc. will start streaming animated films from director Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli globally, excluding the United States, Canada and Japan, starting next month.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 21, 2020
Alphabet CEO backs temporary ban on facial recognition but Microsoft boss disagrees
The European Union's proposal for a temporary ban on facial recognition technology won backing from Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai on Monday but got a cool response from Microsoft Corp. President Brad Smith.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2020
Macron and Trump declare a truce in digital tax dispute
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he had a "great discussion" with U.S. President Donald Trump over a digital tax planned by Paris and said the two countries will work together to avoid a rise in tariffs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2020
Boeing seeks to borrow $10 billion or more amid 737 Max crisis: CNBC
Boeing Co. is in talks with banks about borrowing $10 billion or more amid rising costs after the two fatal 737 Max crashes, CNBC reported on Monday citing people familiar with the matter.

Opinion

COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 21, 2020
Japan going the wrong way in English-education reform
English-language education in Japanese schools should focus on reading and writing rather than conversation to build a strong foundation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 21, 2020
Time for Japan to take on a new role
Japan must successfully hedge itself between a less engaged America and a more aggressive China.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 21, 2020
Where India fits in Japan's Indo-Pacific strategy
The South Asia giant has grown increasingly prominent in Japan's regional strategy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 21, 2020
Cambodia is criminalizing democracy
The international community must not allow Prime Minister Hun Sen to use fabricated treason charges to suppress the leading opposition party.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 21, 2020
Putin is more dangerous than ever
Ruling for life gives the Russian leader strategic-planning advantages over the West
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 21, 2020
U.S. has long been a master at meddling in Russia
When the U.S. worries about Russia messing with its internal politics it sounds a lot like psychological projection. Or just desserts.

Sports

SUMO
Jan 21, 2020
Kotoshogiku experienced brief but memorable time in spotlight
There are eight active wrestlers who have spent time at sumo's second-highest rank.

LIFE

Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 21, 2020
The great (and not-so-great) escapes of 2020
Whether it's Carlos Ghosn escaping the country, Prince Harry and Meghan escaping the royal family or someone trying to escape a bad party, there are a lot of ways to describe getting out of a situation in Japanese.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 21, 2020
At least 'semete' can help you describe the bare minimum in Japanese
The adverb 'semete' can mean 'at least' in English, but there's a nuance that goes with it that further specifies how it can be used.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Jan 21, 2020
The Times picks Shinjiro Koizumi as someone to watch in 2020
A Kyodo article looks at the attention Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is receiving overseas.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 21, 2020
Let's discuss the casino controversy
A scandal concerning casinos has everyone placing bets on how much trouble the initiative may cause.

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