For Philip Brasor's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Domestic papers turn their attention to the plight of foreign residents, while we hand out gongs for Japan’s media personalities of the year.
About half of all respondents to a 2014 survey said they were worried about how much the Games would cost. A lot has changed since then.
The business community wants the government to allow them to hire more foreign workers, but some members of the public are anxious about allowing more foreign people to live in Japan.
Japan’s lawmakers each receive ¥1 million per month to help pay for things such as postage and transportation, regardless of how many days the recipient works.
Cash-strapped news outlets are increasingly asking staff to do more and more work, some of which has nothing to do with journalism.
Prisoners in Japan are currently informed of their impending executions one or two hours before they are carried out.
Toyota has been stubborn about trying to extend the life of the internal combustion engine as long as possible while other automakers are pushing electric models.
A new documentary film titled “Fanatic” explores the world of K-pop fandom. Can it also teach us something about the fans of J-pop stars?
The term "oyagacha" is widely used for the idea that "you can't choose your parents." When you're born into a political dynasty, however, that's not such a bad thing.
Many young bureaucrats are working late to make leading party lawmakers look good, and it’s taking a toll.
