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Francesco Bassetti
An activist in Seoul protests Japan’s plan to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
PODCAST / deep dive
Sep 7, 2023
Anger at Fukushima’s wastewater; hope in its renewables
Good news and bad news out of Fukushima.
Children learn about nature on one of Odyssey's fishing trips in 2022.
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET
Sep 6, 2023
After 3/11, an environment education rethink takes shape in Japan
The thinking behind Odyssey is that interacting with nature will foster an ability to think critically about current socioenvironmental issues.
Nestled behind a seawall on the Pacific coast are the Minamisoma Mano-Migita-Ebi solar power plant and the Manyo no Sato wind farm. The 2011 tsunami struck this portion of the coast with a wave that is reported to have been around 18 meters high.
ENVIRONMENT / Energy / OUR PLANET
Sep 5, 2023
How a nuclear disaster turned Fukushima into a renewables leader
Following 3/11 — and the cratering of support for nuclear energy — Fukushima positioned itself at the forefront of Japan’s low-carbon transition.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Apr 1, 2023
Ainu culture at the heart of Hokkaido’s mindful tourism pivot
As Hokkaido looks to promote responsible, community-based tourism centered on Ainu culture and traditions, questions remain as to who stands to gain.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / Longform
Mar 6, 2023
Can urban farming play a key role in food security?
From small orchards to high-tech vertical farming, producing food in Japan's urban areas could help address key social and environmental issues.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 14, 2023
The Setouchi islands eager to get stuck between a rock and a hard place
Locals hope the boulders and cliff faces overlooking the Seto Inland Sea can bring a breath of fresh air to struggling rural towns.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Oct 29, 2022
Koichi Yamashita: ‘My art is about expressing the reality beyond emotion and thought’
A critic told Koichi Yamashita to 'use color,' but the artist prefers to reflect the 'dignity and strictness' of Japan's mountains through black-and-white representations.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / Longform
Apr 18, 2022
Japan’s ‘hydrogen economy’ runs the risk of being powered by coal
The government-led drive to boost hydrogen energy and lower emissions may end up giving coal-fired power plants a new lease on life.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Feb 9, 2022
The rise and fall of Japan's ski industry
Japan Times contributor Francesco Basetti joins Deep Dive to discuss the rise and fall of the Japanese ski industry, and how resorts are faring with so few people able to enjoy them.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / Longform,Longform
Jan 24, 2022
With international tourists still absent, Japan’s ski resorts dig deep
The ongoing pandemic could be the final blow for operators as memories of the ski boom — and bust — of the 1980s still linger.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Longform
Apr 19, 2021
The female brewers shaking up Japan’s sake industry
Bringing a fresh perspective to the brewing process, women are increasingly producing inspirational new interpretations of the nation's traditional alcoholic drink.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / Longform
Mar 27, 2021
Unearthing Japan’s home-grown solutions to urban greening
Urban greening not only boosts biodiversity and lowers air temperatures, it also provides a much-needed link to the natural world.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 13, 2021
Climbing gyms and athletes look to regain footing after Tokyo 2020 delay
The pandemic has put the aspirations of Japanese competition climbers on hold, and affected the operations of climbing gyms they rely on for training.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 25, 2020
The Ainu language and the global movement for indigenous rights
With the Ainu language considered to be on the brink of extinction, global connections are breathing new life into revitalization efforts.

Longform

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo is a popular place to foster curiosity in the natural sciences.
Can Japan's scientific community rebound from a Nobel nosedive?