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Atsushi Kodera
For Atsushi Kodera's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jan 3, 2014
Economy faces headwinds in 2014
The first stage of the sales tax hike next April will likely put a major drag on growth this year, although the nation will avert an outright recession, economists say.
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2013
Free Chinese-made software poses security risk
Japanese-language input program Baidu IME — potentially installed on millions of computers, including at government agencies — sends every character typed to the software provider's server without user consent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 23, 2013
Automated driving tech comes to the fore
In November, a prospective customer was at the wheel of Mazda Motor Corp.'s new sport utility vehicle during a demonstration in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture. With a sales rep in the passenger seat, the 38-year-old man drove the car toward a urethane mat hanging 7 meters ahead to test the collision avoidance feature, which is supposed to activate the brakes when sensors detect an imminent collision.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2013
English education set to get serious
Junior high school English teachers should conduct classes exclusively in English and be periodically tested on their skills, and formal English instruction should start in the fifth grade from 2020 under education reforms.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2013
UNESCO honor gives traditional fare boost
UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage designation of “washoku” has the government and food industry hoping for a boost in its appeal, both overseas and at home.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHARITY DRIVE 2013
Dec 5, 2013
NICCO driven to continue Afghan aid
Members of the Kyoto-based nonprofit organization Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (NICCO) defied danger and entered Afghanistan as soon as the brutal Taliban government had fallen. They have since continued their difficult humanitarian support activities for more than 10 years.
JAPAN / CHARITY DRIVE 2013
Dec 5, 2013
Father's mission: helping schoolkids in Cambodia
Between 1981 and 1994, Father Fumio Goto fostered 14 Cambodian child refugees, and since 1995 has built 17 schools in the country. Now, at 84, his passion to support Cambodia's disadvantaged children shows no sign of waning.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2013
Tokyo Motor Show still green, tries to spark pizazz
Japanese and foreign car manufacturers offered a glimpse of the future as they unveiled their latest eco-friendly and unique next-generation concept cars as the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show was opened to the media Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2013
For first time, NHK seeks Caucasian actress to star in morning drama
Wanted: A female aged 25 to 40 who grew up in the West and boasts a better than average singing voice to star in a NHK drama about Rita Taketsuru.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 14, 2013
Japan economy grows for fourth straight quarter but at slower 1.9%
The economy grew an annualized 1.9 percent in the July-September period, marking a fourth consecutive quarter of growth but sharply down from the previous quarter as consumption slowed and exports fell, casting a cloud over "Abenomics."
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 7, 2013
Robots walk the walk, fix 'bento' at Tokyo show
Robots that can build cars side by side with humans on an assembly line or precisely place pieces of chicken into "bento" boxed lunches, even those capable of dancing or creating nail art are just some of the highlights of the International Robot Exhibition that got under way Wednesday at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward.

Longform

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces