National | FOCUS Nov 12, 2020

Biden likely to push Japan to do more to combat climate change

After taking office in mid-September, Suga vowed in a policy speech last month to reduce Japan's net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050.

National | FOCUS Oct 24, 2020

As the honeymoon ends, Suga faces test of his communication skills

New prime minister hopes to rally public support rate in speech before lawmakers that could affect any decision on when to hold the next general election.

Business / Tech Aug 29, 2019

ZMP's food delivery robot ready to pick up the slack in graying Japan

Mix the rise of e-commerce in Japan with a chronic labor shortage and a graying society and what do you get? An autonomous home delivery robot with a cartoon character voice and big inquisitive eyes. "I'm delivering delicious food," announced CarriRo Deli, a robot the size ...

Business Jan 10, 2019

With her edible organic roses, Saitama entrepreneur tastes success at an early age

The life of 25-year-old Ayaka Tanaka is busy, to say the least. As head of a fast-growing organic rose producer, Tanaka routinely checks her farms on the outskirts of Tokyo, picks rose petals herself at harvest time and meets prospective clients during her days in ...

National Dec 8, 2018

As Japan enacts law opening door wider to foreign labor, experts warn of challenges with integration

Experts say new government policies to facilitate the integration of foreign workers into Japanese society will be necessary if the new visa system is to succeed.

Film Jun 20, 2018

Embracing difference, 'Shakespeare in Tokyo' is the picture of inclusion

The scene: Tokyo. The plot: An Australian fan of Shakespeare with Down syndrome sets out on a solo adventure to escape the watchful eyes of his domineering older brother and discover the city. "Shakespeare in Tokyo" is the latest film by Australian director Genevieve Clay-Smith, ...

National / Social Issues Apr 25, 2017

Tokyo movie house caters to the visually impaired, and everyone else

Listening without watching — that is what Chihoko Hiratsuka describes as essential for understanding the concept of her tiny movie house in Tokyo. The theater, Cinema Chupki Tabata, opened last September near JR Tabata Station in Kita Ward as a "universally accessible theater," allowing people ...

Art Mar 1, 2017

'Art Brut' exhibition in Tokyo to shine light on creating inclusive society

"Polka-Dot Princess" Yayoi Kusama illuminated the links between creativity and mental illness with her arrival on the New York pop art scene in 1957. More recently the wave of artistry, called art brut, is catching on in Tokyo, where a number of artists with intellectual ...

Lifestyle Jan 18, 2017

American aspires to fulfill childhood dream as geisha in Japan

In modern times joining the fascinating yet cloistered world of a geisha — even for young Japanese girls — is rare indeed. But if you weren't born Japanese and still harbor aspirations of becoming one of the traditional teahouse entertainers, though it's probably easier than ...

National | FOCUS Jul 10, 2016

Amid day care shortage, parents inspired by anonymous blog vote for change

A 41-year-old working father of two recalled the frustration he felt when he was unable to get his younger daughter into any of the nursery schools his family applied to since moving to Tokyo's Koto Ward last year. While the family found a nursery school ...