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April 29, 2024
 

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Minoru Matsutani

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Minoru Matsutani
For Minoru Matsutani's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / 'SUMMER DAVOS' SPECIAL 2013
Sep 10, 2013
Japan hopes to blow ahead in renewables with floating wind farm
The renewable energy sector plays a key part in Japan's growth strategy. Among options such as solar and geothermal, wind power may be the most suitable for Japan as it is surrounded by the ocean.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / 'SUMMER DAVOS' SPECIAL 2013
Sep 10, 2013
Young entrepreneurs go forward in 'New Japan'; deregulation can aid economy
Tokyo is becoming an incubator of venture businesses as many young people — seeing the success of other entrepreneurs, who in turn have created a network of mentors and investors — are taking on the challenge of having their own business, aided by an improving economy buoyed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic measures, dubbed Abenomics.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 1, 2013
Smoking, now too uncool for school
Kitsuen (喫煙, smoking) could become an obsolete habit in Japan in the near future, as youngsters apparently now consider smoking dasai (ダサい, uncool).
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 4, 2013
The latest gyaru-go: The top 10 words for gals on the go
The other day, I overheard two gyaru (ギャル, gals, i.e., fashion-conscious girls) talking, but I had no idea what they were saying.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2013
Japan Inc. backs Olympics bid: Cho
Corporate Japan is an active promoter of sports and is completely behind the effort to secure the 2020 Olympic Games for Tokyo, Toyota Motor Corp. Honorary Chairman Fujio Cho said Wednesday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jul 1, 2013
Voting for idols is bigger than politics
Elsewhere in the world, the kind of sōsenkyo (総選挙, general election) that fires up public interest and garners media attention is one where political parties compete for national office. In Japan, however, the sōsenkyo of aidoru gurūpu (アイドルグループ, idol group) AKB48 tends to grab far more attention than it deserves, which is ironic considering the indifference to real politics among young Japanese.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 19, 2013
Matsuno, American win Blue Planet Prize for eco-work
Blue Planet Prize, Asahi Glass Foundation, climate change
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2013
Supercomputer used to simulate disaster evacuations
University of Tokyo researchers have used the K supercomputer to develop a simulation for mass evacuations in case of tsunami.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 3, 2013
Shinto's kami and jinja seeking world acceptance
Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮, Ise Jingu Shrine) has recently published a sasshi (冊子, booklet) in English, titled "Soul of Japan — An Introduction to Shinto and Ise Jingu."
WORLD / TICAD V SPECIAL
Jun 1, 2013
Singer Misia help raise awareness about Africa
A powerful five-octave voice coming from a small frame is normally what describes Misia as a singer. The second hat she wears is as a philanthropic activist for Africa.
Japan Times
WORLD / TICAD V SPECIAL
Jun 1, 2013
The evolution of TICAD since its inception in 1993
TICAD, or the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, has continuously evolved since the first conference in 1993.
Japan Times
WORLD / EU SPECIAL 2013
May 9, 2013
The past, present, future of the EU; bloc's bilateral relations with Japan
The first seeds of the idea of the European Union were sown on May 9, 1950, by then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. Hence, the date is now celebrated as Europe Day.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 6, 2013
Plan to introduce TOEFL to universities has its merits
The media and kyōiku senmonka (教育専門家, pundits on education) have been voicing the pros and cons of the idea put forward by the Jiminto (自民党, the Liberal Democratic Party) to make TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) mandatory for entrance exams at all Japanese universities.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 1, 2013
It's all change at Shibuya Station for the Toyoko Line
On March 16, the platforms for the Tokyu Toyoko Line at Shibuya Station moved from the chiju014d nikai (u5730u4e0au4e8cu968e, second floor) to the chika gokai (u5730u4e0bu4e94u968e, fifth basement floor) to connect the Toyoko Line with the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 16, 2013
SAS bullish on Japan after logging best year ever in 2012, exec says
Scandinavian Airlines System has seen its business in Japan recover dramatically since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the upturn is continuing, according to an SAS executive.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2013
Protecting rights as a means to enhance development
Japanese manufacturers are generally shying away from applying for patents in ASEAN countries for reasons such as the "immatureness" of the judicial system in intellectual property (IP) trials and the low level of technology assessment by local IP authorities, said a representative of the Japan Intellectual Property Association.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 30, 2013
Lawmaker looks at risks of populism
Shizuoka Prefecture should hold a referendum for its citizens to decide whether the Hamaoka nuclear power plant should be restarted, assembly member Takuya Abe said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2013
Jan 23, 2013
Davos fosters the passion to overcome global challenges
Every year in late January, global leaders in business, politics, academia and other fields get together in Switzerland to discuss the various challenges faced by the world.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2013
Jan 23, 2013
Japan searches for growth areas to drive economy
While the media have highlighted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's large-scale government spending on public works, and high expectations for his so-called Abenomics drove share prices up and weakened the yen, the important question is; what industries does Abe's administration want to promote as driving forces of the economy?
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2013
Jan 23, 2013
Aiming to take Japan's best onto the global stage
Japanese leaders in business, culture, politics and other fields should look abroad and take what Japan can do best to the world, said Yoshito Hori, president of Globis University and managing partner of Globis Capital Partners.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
Raising kids in Japan as a single parent? It takes a village.
Making things work as a foreign, single mother in Japan isn't easy, but these tips and tricks can help you through the hardest parts.
JAL cancels international flight after captain gets drunk at Dallas hotel
A Japan Airlines' flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled last week after its captain got drunk at a local hotel.
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.
Putin’s war will soon reach Russians’ tax bills
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting in St. Petersburg on Friday.
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

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree
By Alex K.T. Martin

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