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April 28, 2024
 

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Steven L. Kent
For Steven L. Kent's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Dec 3, 2022
To bestselling gaming franchises, what are voice actors worth?
When a voice actor took to Twitter to complain about low wages, it was only the beginning of a drawn-out controversy.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / ON: GAMES
Oct 29, 2022
This Halloween, play dead with some made-in-Japan horror games
You don't have to trudge to the movie theater this Halloween to get your share of screen screams.
Reader Mail
Jul 13, 2008
LPG conversions cost too much
I would like to think I am an environmentalist. Japan is one of the leading countries in recycling and reducing emissions. I am proud to live here.
Reader Mail
Mar 28, 2007
One goose step closer
Another way to view the exercise of the censorial power that Debito Arudou boasts about in his March 20 article, "Demise of crime magazine historic," is as a goose step closer to thought control. The publication (Gaijin Hanzai) has a few racial slurs, some misinformation and specious logic, and lots of tasteless graphics beginning with the cover -- among many reports that are mostly factual and boring. It would take a sizable goon squad with retirement benefits to keep materials with similar faults out of bookstores and libraries.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Nov 23, 2005
For giant-slayers, getting there is half the battle
Let's talk about "Shadow of the Colossus" and "Punch-Out!!" -- two masterful games that are remarkably similar and yet have nothing in common.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
May 19, 2005
Big names, big games, big show
The real "Bond . . . James Bond" is coming to video games. Electronic Arts has signed Sean Connery to reprise his role as British agent 007 in the video game version of "From Russia with Love."
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Apr 21, 2005
Fast, furious -- and frustrating
In "Meteos," a new puzzle game for the Nintendo DS handheld, the denizens of the universe greet you with a plea (in earnest, broken English): "We want you, save our planet!"
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Mar 24, 2005
The spy who stayed in the dark
When mankind becomes an endangered species due to the actions of an Indonesian terrorist, super secret uber-spy Sam Fisher is called in to make things right. Fisher is not a spy after the suave James Bond manner, with pretty women and luxury cars at his beck and call; he's more of a ninja for the 21st century.
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Mar 10, 2005
A tip of the hat to a venerable series
The kingdom of Hyrule is in trouble. But then, the kingdom of Hyrule is always in trouble, and so is its legendary princess -- Zelda.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Feb 24, 2005
A game darn near too scary
If you are looking for the biggest jolt video gaming has to offer, and you don't mind having nightmares, take a deep breath and try "Biohazard 4."
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Feb 10, 2005
A treasure for the Game Boy
"Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories," a new role-playing adventure from Square- Enix for the Game Boy Advance, is an astounding achievement by Game Boy standards.
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Jan 27, 2005
Wonderfully easy on the eyes
Sony launched its new PlayStation Portable in Japan in December. According to Sony, it is slated to launch in the United States by the end of March. Who knows about Europe.
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Jan 13, 2005
Adult fun and gore galore
Here's my dirty little secret: Despite my reputation as a hardcore moralist, truth be told I love the "Mortal Kombat" games. When it's late at night and the kids are in bed, I'll sometimes pull out whichever is the latest title in the series -- surely the bloodiest of the bloody fighting games -- and play until my fingers go numb.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Dec 30, 2004
An FPS for the thinking man
"Metroid Prime 2: Echoes," a first-person shooter from Nintendo for the GameCube, is both fun and a pain at the same time. It keeps you on your toes, even when it makes you perform the same tasks over and over again.
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Dec 2, 2004
The biggest game of the year
I look at "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," a new urban crime role-playing game for the PlayStation 2, about the same way I might view gorgeous graffiti painted on my front door.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Nov 18, 2004
Best game yet for the Xbox
How do you top a battle between marines and an alien religious cult fighting to the death on a giant corona in outer space?
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Nov 4, 2004
Nintendo DS: A wacky winner
Let's discuss the hard facts first.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Oct 21, 2004
Playing God, designing people
Playing "The Sims 2" the way I played it is like touring the major countries of Europe and only visiting the bowling alleys.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Oct 7, 2004
A prince in time saves nine
When a young prince steals a magic dagger, he inadvertently empowers an evil magician with dark powers. In "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," a three-dimensional adventure game from Ubi Soft finally making it into the Japanese market, the eponymous prince must find his way through his ruined palace to set things right.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME
Sep 23, 2004
High-octane crash and burn
What's the big complaint about video games these days? Lack of innovation.
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.
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.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
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.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
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.
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.
Top U.S. and China diplomats talk tough amid warnings of new ‘downward spiral’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday

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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