author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 05, 2025
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Twitter

@sakmurakami

Sakura Murakami
Reuters
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2018
In wake of World Cup loss to Belgium, Japanese fans look back on unexpected run
Fans of the national soccer team were reflective on Tuesday after Japan's loss to Belgium in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, with many looking back fondly on their better-than-expected performance in Russia.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2018
Japan's interest in World Cup spikes after Samurai Blue's surprise win over Colombia
Japanese fans were reveling in victory Wednesday, a day after their team's surprise win against Colombia in its first match in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 18, 2018
Japan's criminal justice reforms aim to enhance transparency of interrogations — are they working?
The National Police Agency said in early June that interrogations of crime suspects were fully recorded in 81.9 percent of all the 3,197 cases tried by lay judges in fiscal 2017, up from 72.8 percent the year before.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 11, 2018
High court rejects decision to reopen 1966 Hakamada quadruple murder case
The Tokyo High Court on Monday overturned the Shizuoka District Court's decision to reopen the 1966 murder case involving former professional boxer Iwao Hakamada, who was convicted of killing four people, despite recent DNA evidence that undermined his prosecution.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2018
Tokyo District Court holds first hearing on expats' right to vote on Supreme Court justices
Five Japanese living abroad claimed at the Tokyo District Court on Monday that their inability to participate in national reviews of Supreme Court justices was unconstitutional.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2018
Web service allows Japan's harassment victims to send anonymous warnings to alleged perpetrators
In the wake of high-profile sexual harassment cases involving a top Finance Ministry bureaucrat and a mayor in west Tokyo, a website was launched last week to allow victims of harassment to send anonymous warnings to the perpetrators.
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2018
Tokyo opens free 24-hour multilingual call center to help tourists get around language barrier
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government opened a call center Friday for foreign visitors to improve communication with businesses and other organizations of interest.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 31, 2018
Japanese-style plea bargaining debuts but authorities fear spread of false testimony
Japan on Friday introduced a bargaining system as part of an overhaul of its criminal investigation and trial systems, while battling concerns the new practice could encourage suspects or defendants to make false statements that lead to miscarriages of justice.
MORE SPORTS
May 25, 2018
Nihon University president Kichibe Otsuka offers apology for dirty tackle scandal
Kichibe Otsuka, president of Nihon University, addressed reporters at a news conference held in Tokyo on Friday, saying that he felt "responsibility" regarding Nihon University's handling of the dirty tackle scandal, and that he "couldn't apologize enough" to the victim.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 18, 2018
Tokyo High Court upholds ruling calling city of Saitama's refusal to publish pacifist haiku 'unfair'
The Tokyo High Court on Friday upheld a district court ruling that called "unfair" the city of Saitama's refusal to publish a haiku which referred to the Constitution and carried a pacifist message in its local newsletter .
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 8, 2018
Heatstroke campaign looks to raise awareness among foreign tourists and residents
Every year the Japan Weather Association stages a public campaign aimed at reducing heatstroke victims during the hot, humid summer.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 4, 2018
Tokyo-based startups look to link consumers with restaurants to curb food waste
In affluent Japan millions of tons of still-edible food waste are thrown away each year, evoking a sense of guilt for many. According to the agriculture ministry, 6.46 million tons of untouched food were discarded in 2015.
BUSINESS
May 1, 2018
Japan's retailers hope to boost sales by capitalizing on Cool Biz
With temperatures soaring higher than average this year, retailers are hoping to boost sales of apparel by capitalizing on the government's annual Cool Biz campaign, which started Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Deep Dive
Apr 19, 2018
Dual citizenship in Japan: A 'don’t ask, don’t tell' policy leaves many in the dark
Do you have to renounce citizenship? Do you switch passports at the airport? Has anyone ever been punished? Dual nationals tell their stories.
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2018
New definition of beer gives Japanese breweries license to change
Japan will change its legal definition of beer on Sunday, allowing its lager-laden breweries to finally diversify and reinvigorate the stale market.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 26, 2018
Peak season + tourism boom = long lines at Narita airport
Japanese airports are known for their cleanliness and clockwork efficiency, but the surge in tourists and foreign students entering the country has been creating hourlong lines at Narita airport's border control.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 12, 2018
Lawsuit challenges Japan's ban on dual citizenship
Plaintiffs sue Japan over its ban on dual nationalities, claiming they were unconstitutionally deprived of their Japanese citizenship upon becoming citizens of foreign countries.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 7, 2018
Japan fails to shine in annual report on women's participation in politics
As the world marks International Women's Day on Thursday, an annual report shows again that Japan lags far behind other countries for women's participation in politics.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2018
Futuristic, traditionally attired superheroes selected as Tokyo 2020 mascots
Tokyo 2020 organizers unveiled Wednesday the official mascots for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, based on a futuristic vision of the world with the two characters decked out in traditional blue-checkered and a pink cherry-blossom-theme attire, respectively.
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2018
Sports expo spotlights high-tech ways to better train athletes ahead of 2020
With Japan riding high after its best showing ever in a Winter Olympics, a recent trade show drew attention to state-of-the-art technologies that could one day help train future Olympians.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

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
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Ishii Iron Works remakes self for workers, new energy
Ishii Iron Works remakes self for workers, new energy

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER