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April 29, 2024
 

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Michael S. Schmidt
For Michael S. Schmidt's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei poses with her gold medal after winning the women's 200-meter butterfly during the Tokyo Games.
OLYMPICS
Apr 22, 2024
Chinese doping case sends swimming world into uproar and exposes bitter rifts
The disclosure of an incident that had been a secret for more than three years has drawn strong reactions from athletes, coaches and others.
China's Olympic gold-medal winning 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay team celebrates on the podium at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 29, 2021. Zhang Yufei (third from left) is among 23 top Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in the lead up to the Games.
OLYMPICS
Apr 20, 2024
Top Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned drug, then won Olympic gold
The episode sharply divided the anti-doping world, where China’s record has long been a flashpoint.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani during a spring training game on March 12.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 15, 2024
Ohtani’s dizzying three weeks end in exoneration by authorities
At times, baseball’s biggest star seemed in danger of being tainted by a gambling scandal, before his longtime interpreter was charged with fraud.
Shohei Ohtani with then-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara during a news conference in Los Angeles in December
BASEBALL
Apr 12, 2024
Prosecutors say Ohtani’s interpreter stole $16 million from star
The account provided by authorities largely confirms what Ohtani told the public in late March.
Ippei Mizuhara (left) allegedly stole millions of dollars from Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani in order to cover gambling debts.
BASEBALL
Apr 11, 2024
Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, said to be negotiating guilty plea
By quickly pleading guilty, Mizuhara would increase his chances of receiving a more lenient sentence.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 18, 2022
The House Jan. 6 panel has set a high bar: Showing criminality
It is not clear whether the committee will follow through and take the largely symbolic step of issuing a criminal referral for former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 9, 2022
How Trump deflected demands for documents, enmeshing aides
The former president exhibited a pattern of dissembling about the material he took from the White House, creating legal risk not just for himself but also some of his lawyers.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 19, 2022
Despite growing evidence, a prosecution of Trump would face challenges
As House hearings highlighted testimony that could create more pressure to pursue a criminal case, former president tried out a defense that strained credulity.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 5, 2021
$5,800 whiskey bottle, a gift from Japan to Pompeo, is missing, U.S. says
The State Department is investigating the whereabouts the bottle, according to two people briefed on the inquiry and a document made public this week.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 3, 2020
As U.S. voting ends, battle intensifies over which ballots will count
Fight comes amid open efforts by President Donald Trump and the Republicans to disqualify votes on technicalities and baseless charges of fraud.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo
Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

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