William Hollingworth - The Japan Times

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William Hollingworth

For William Hollingworth's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

JAPAN

May 6, 2008

Ex-soldier who reconciled with British sparks fond memories

Tributes have been paid to a former Japanese soldier who while living in Britain played a crucial role in fostering reconciliation between men who were previously wartime enemies.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 28, 2008

Japanese funds go to restore U.K. potter's studio

The workshop of a celebrated British potter who drew much of his inspiration from Japan and led the craft pottery movement in Britain has been restored to its former glory and opened to the public after a massive fundraising effort.

JAPAN

Mar 28, 2008

Blackman's parents split on Obara appeal trial

The appeal against the acquittal of Joji Obara on charges of murdering Lucie Blackman is dividing the parents of the slain Tokyo bar hostess. While her mother, Jane Steare, supports the Tokyo High Court appeal trial by prosecutors that started Tuesday, her ex-husband and Lucie's father, Tim Blackman, does not believe there is "anything further to be gained" through this legal move.

JAPAN

Mar 22, 2008

Japanese expats fret Britain's English requirement

The Japanese community in Britain is hoping the government will rethink plans for a new English language requirement for foreign nationals coming to work in the country. The Japanese Embassy in London has expressed "serious concern" at initial government plans to ensure that all skilled workers from outside the European Union seeking work visas have an "acceptable" level of English language proficiency.

JAPAN

Feb 28, 2008

Oversupply, falling birthrate threaten implosion in higher education system

Japan's higher education system faces "an implosion" due to oversupply and a falling birthrate, according to research from a British academic. Roger Goodman, a Japan expert from Oxford University, said the situation will make it increasingly difficult for the less prestigious and smaller establishments to remain operating.

JAPAN

Feb 13, 2008

Conservationists pan Tokyo talks on saving bluefin

Environmentalists trying to preserve endangered stocks of bluefin tuna in Europe do not think an upcoming international conference in Tokyo will alleviate the crisis. They believe the meeting of industry figures in March will merely paper over the cracks because it will not address what they call generous fishing quotas in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Atlantic.

JAPAN

Dec 29, 2007

'Anti-Japanese' documentary riled late Prime Minister Fukuda in '70s

The late Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda was infuriated by an "anti-Japanese" TV documentary that cast his nation's companies in a bad light as they considered setting up bases in Britain, according to official documents from 1977 released Friday. The controversial program, "Eastern Promise," which used a war scene and portrayed Japanese businessmen as samurai warriors, led to an "outburst" from Fukuda, who demanded British Charge D'Affaires Sydney Giffard be summoned for an official dressing down.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Dec 4, 2007

U.K., Japan share notes on ways to curb bullying

Bullying differs in British and Japanese schools, but both countries can learn from each other in countering the problem, according to academics and other experts.

JAPAN

Nov 24, 2007

Europe aquariums boycott Japan goods in whaling protest

A chain of aquariums in Europe has removed Japanese goods from its stores to protest Japan's latest whaling expedition. The group Sea Life is also calling on Europeans to boycott all Japanese products in the runup to Christmas in an attempt to change Tokyo's mind over its contentious whaling program.

JAPAN

Nov 16, 2007

Japan tourism effort zeroes in on British families

Japan is promoting itself at this year's World Travel Market in London as the ideal destination for a family holiday. After last year's promotion, which focused on young adults, Japan is now using the growing popularity of Japanese pop culture in Britain and Europe to attract children and their parents.

JAPAN

Nov 10, 2007

Diplomat removed from U.K. in '70s after woman's death in car accident

Japan removed one of its diplomats from Britain in the mid-1970s after the possibility he could be charged with causing the death of a woman by dangerous driving, official papers in the British National Archives recently revealed. The diplomat, Setsuo Matsuzawa, a first secretary at the embassy in London, denied the accusation in police interviews. But Tokyo decided he should return home and its embassy pay compensation to the victim's family, the documents claim.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Nov 7, 2007

Japan urged to lobby to save Mediterranean bluefin stocks

European environmentalists are calling on Japan, the biggest consumer of Mediterranean bluefin tuna, to support a drastic reduction in annual catches to preserve the long-term future of the fish.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 27, 2007

U.K. affinity for Japan pop fuels language interest anew

The popularity of contemporary Japanese culture in Britain is helping to fuel a growing number of applications to study Japanese at universities, academics said.

JAPAN

Oct 16, 2007

BNG set to start shipping radioactive waste again

A series of shipments containing highly radioactive waste will leave Britain for Japan next year, with possibly more consignments afterward if Japanese electricity companies agree to a deal offered by the British government, according to a source in the Japanese power industry. Approximately 127,500 liters of waste, the result of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, will be sent to the Rokkasho nuclear facility in Aomori Prefecture from British Nuclear Group Ltd. in Sellafield, northwest England, the source said.

JAPAN

Sep 28, 2007

Japan studies in U.K. to get funding boost

In response to concerns about a lack of funding for Japanese studies at British universities, a major cash injection will be announced next month in the form of new teaching posts. In October, the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and the Nippon Foundation will announce which universities have successfully won grants from a special fund that will be used to establish 13 full-time teaching and research posts.

JAPAN

Aug 31, 2007

Sushi chefs in Europe slam fish-freezing regulation

Japanese chefs in Europe who serve up sushi and sashimi are criticizing a law requiring them to deep-freeze their produce prior to preparation, arguing the quality of the end product is suffering. They say the regulations, designed to ensure diners are not exposed to poisoning from roundworm larvae and parasites, are ineffectual because the freezing process doesn't kill off all the potential bugs.

BUSINESS

Aug 18, 2007

Organic Japanese food hot items in U.K., Europe

Demand for organic Japanese food has grown "phenomenally" over the last few years as more Europeans opt for healthier diets, according to a major importer who was recently commended by the Japanese government for his efforts.

JAPAN

Aug 15, 2007

Parents irked at Hawker slaying manhunt gone cold

The father of murdered Briton Lindsay Ann Hawker said Monday it was "disgraceful" that police did not arrest suspect Tatsuya Ichihashi when they first called at his apartment in Chiba Prefecture following his daughter's disappearance. Her mother, Julia, also said she was "disappointed" with the police investigation, claiming they failed to follow up leads and keep the family fully informed of developments.

JAPAN

Aug 11, 2007

British academic to write account of 1985 JAL crash

A British academic is to write the first comprehensive account in English of Japan's worst aviation accident, hoping to put a fresh perspective on a tragedy that has interested people for the last 22 years. Christopher Hood is looking into all aspects of the crash of Japan Airlines flight 123, in which 520 passengers and crew members died, and will explore how the disaster reflects wider aspects of Japanese society.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 7, 2007

Anglicans ordain first Japan woman

LONDON (Kyodo) Ikuko Williams has made history by becoming the first Japanese woman ordained as a minister in the Church of England.

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

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

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