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February 2020
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JAPAN

Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020
Japan issues guidelines to prevent rush on hospitals as COVID-19 cases surge
The health ministry releases guidelines on how people should react if they fear infection with the coronavirus.
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020
Haneda flight noise louder than in a pachinko parlor
In test flights for new low-altitude flight paths using Tokyo's Haneda Airport conducted by the transport ministry between Jan. 30 and Wednesday, noise in Kawasaki ran as high as 87 to 94 decibels, louder than inside a pachinko parlor, according to data released by the ministry.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 17, 2020
Abe apologizes for yelling at CDP lawmaker in Japan's Diet
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologized Monday for a recent incident in which he heckled an opposition lawmaker, and promised not to make irregular remarks in the Diet.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020
As some head home after COVID-19 ship quarantine, one slams U.S. 'flip-flopping'
While some Americans aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, quarantined in Yokohama port, left Monday on chartered flights back home, others opted to stay.
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020
Health hotlines in Japan flooded with coronavirus test requests
As the new coronavirus threatens to spread through Japan, hotlines for virus-related consultations are being flooded with requests from concerned people who want to be tested.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 17, 2020
Osaka referendum: Merger gets second chance, but are voters on board?
Five years after voters in the city of Osaka narrowly voted down a referendum on consolidating its 24 wards into five with more autonomy and eliminating the municipal assembly and mayor, another referendum is set for later this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020
Fears over coronavirus prompt surge in telecommuting across Japan
The NTT group, Yahoo Japan and GMO Internet are among the companies trying to reduce the risk of their employees contracting the COVID-19 virus.

ASIA PACIFIC

ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 17, 2020
Macao casinos to resume operations Thursday after suspension over virus fear
Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, will allow casinos to resume operations Thursday after authorities imposed a two-week suspension to keep the coronavirus in check, according to public broadcaster TDM.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 17, 2020
Malaysia to choose 5G partners based on own security standards
Malaysia's own security standards will dictate which companies take part in its planned 5G rollout this year, its communications minister said as the United States pushes countries to exclude China's Huawei.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 17, 2020
India's use of facial recognition tech during protests stirs criticism
When artist Rachita Taneja heads out to protest in New Delhi, she covers her face with a pollution mask, a hoodie or a scarf to reduce the risk of being identified by police facial recognition software.

WORLD

Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 17, 2020
Anti-pipeline protests derail Trudeau's trip to Barbados
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has canceled his planned trip to Barbados for a regional conference to help resolve widespread rail disruptions caused by indigenous rights activists opposing the construction of a natural gas pipeline, his office said Sunday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 17, 2020
Khamenei loyalists likely to tighten grip in Iran elections
Hard-liners are set to tighten control of Iran this week in a parliamentary election stacked in their favor, as the leadership closes ranks in a deepening confrontation with Washington.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Feb 17, 2020
Climate change to open up 'frontier' farmland, but experts urge caution
Kenya’s livestock herders planting chile peppers, Pakistan’s mountain farmers rearing fish and tropical fruits being grown in Sicily — farmers around the world are already shifting what they grow and breed to cope with rising temperatures and erratic weather.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 17, 2020
U.K. to spend $1.6 billion on world's best climate supercomputer
The U.K. said it will spend £1.2 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) on developing the most powerful weather and climate supercomputer in the world.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Feb 17, 2020
From SARS to COVID-19, cities plagued by inequality bear brunt of outbreaks
As the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the new coronavirus, becomes the latest urban center to face a deadly disease outbreak, city planners and physicians say such densely packed hubs are particularly vulnerable and may need a redesign.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 17, 2020
Crisis puts Lebanon's survival at stake, Hezbollah warns
Lebanon may not survive if its new government fails, the powerful Hezbollah warned on Sunday, urging the country's divided politicians not to obstruct the Cabinet as it seeks to address an unprecedented economic and financial crisis.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 17, 2020
Gay candidate Pete Buttigieg says he won't be lectured on morality by Rush Limbaugh
Openly gay Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg pushed back Sunday against recent homophobic comments from conservative radio personalities as he rises to become a 2020 front-runner.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 17, 2020
Trump takes limousine lap before Daytona 500 auto race
President Donald Trump took a loop around the Daytona 500 racetrack on Sunday in the presidential limousine known as "The Beast," drawing cheers from fans at NASCAR'S most prestigious race.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Feb 17, 2020
Over 1,000 ex-Justice Department officials call on U.S. Attorney General William Barr to resign
More than 1,000 former U.S. Justice Department officials Sunday called for Attorney General William Barr to resign over his handling of the trial of a longtime adviser of U.S. President Donald Trump.

BUSINESS

BUSINESS / Markets / CURRENCY MARKET
Feb 17, 2020
Dollar firms above ¥109.80 in Tokyo trading
The dollar crept up to exceed ¥109.80 in Tokyo trading Monday, attracting real demand-backed buying.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 17, 2020
Sharp unveils Japan makers' first 5G-ready smartphone
Sharp Corp. unveiled its first 5G smartphone model Monday, ahead of the ultrafast network service launch scheduled for March.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 17, 2020
Parts shortage has Sony struggling to price upcoming PlayStation 5
A shortage of components has pushed manufacturing costs for Sony Corp.'s next PlayStation to around $450 per unit, forcing a difficult price-setting decision in its battle with Microsoft Corp., according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2020
Sustainability disclosures by European firms generally poor, study says
European corporate disclosures on climate change and other sustainability issues are generally poor, a study Monday showed, as regional policymakers mull toughening up the rules.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 17, 2020
Nintendo faces shortage of Switch consoles for U.S. and Europe due to COVID-19
Nintendo Co. is likely to struggle to supply sufficient Switch consoles to its U.S. and European markets as soon as April due to a production bottleneck caused by the coronavirus outbreak, according to sources with knowledge of the company's supply chain.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 17, 2020
Japan recession fears grow as GDP shrinks at 6.3% rate with COVID-19 hit to come
The contraction in the annualized gross domestic product for October-December was the worst in five quarters.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2020
Global economic policy hinges on China's next move amid coronavirus
The broad policy direction for many of the world's central banks and governments now hinges on one question: How will the Chinese government respond to the economic shock caused by the coronavirus?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2020
German court delays Tesla Berlin factory preparation amid environmental challenge
Elon Musk's plan to build an electric car plant in Germany has run into legal trouble after a court said clearing a forest near Berlin for a new Tesla Inc. factory must stop immediately while it considers a challenge by environmentalists.
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2020
Bayer, now with BASF, faces more Monsanto pain after trial loss
The first U.S. trial over the dicamba herbicide has landed Bayer AG and its German rival, BASF SE, with another potentially multi-billion-dollar problem.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2020
China battery recycler GEM to make disinfectants in virus ground zero
China's GEM Co. Ltd., best known as a recycler of batteries for electric vehicles and producer of cobalt chemicals used in them, said on Sunday it had been given a four-month licence to make disinfectant in coronavirus-hit Hubei province.

Opinion

Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 17, 2020
A new place for Tokyo on the international stage
The problems of international relations and foreign policy are too great to be left to governments alone.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 17, 2020
The first offer is the best offer in negotiations
Japanese policymakers nee to pay continuous attention to the changing situation in the Middle East.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 17, 2020
Strong liberal arts education is key to success in Society 5.0
A liberal arts education is crucial to the development of the skills required for success in Society 5.0.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2020
Yes, Ukraine matters to the U.S.
Now that impeachment is over, we can get back to why keeping Russia at bay is a key element of foreign policy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2020
Turkey-Syria crisis points to risky post-American Mideast
Washington's withdrawal might usher in yet more bloodshed and uncertainty, particularly if the region's most powerful countries continue to believe they can often achieve as much with military action as by negotiation.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2020
Impeachment energizes Trump, drains Democrats
The Democrats' impeachment effort has successfully energized Trump's base and fundraising but not their own.

Sports

MORE SPORTS
Feb 17, 2020
Tokyo Marathon canceled for 38,000 runners over COVID-19 fears
Participation in one of Japan's biggest annual sporting events will be limited to elite runners and wheelchair competitors.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 17, 2020
University program boosts number of coach developers
Faculty behind the Nippon Sport Science University Coach Developer Academy (NCDA) program are confident that the "athlete-centered" culture it is fostering has made positive international progress since its 2014 inception.

LIFE

Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Feb 17, 2020
Fresh ideas for old-school crafts
As many of Japan's traditional crafts and industries hope to adapt to survive, more young designers are offering their creative help
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / CHILD'S PLAY
Feb 17, 2020
Purrfect: Kids, cats and cookies
Quiet green lanes, low-rise wooden houses, generations-old tofu stores, atmospheric temples, cycling grannies, small creative ateliers — and cats. Lots of cats.

COMMUNITY

Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Feb 17, 2020
Bureaucrats are to blame for copy-happy hotel clerks
With data privacy being a huge issue, you may feel uneasy about hotels photocopying your passport. However, Colin P.A. Jones says the rule is more about bureaucratic culture than privacy.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Feb 17, 2020
Shy Sue is ready to form a bond with a special person
Sue and her two siblings were rescued one rainy day as kittens more than two years ago. The three of them still currently call ARK home.

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