National Jul 6, 2021

School's out for the Tokyo Olympics as parents and teachers reconsider trips

Many schools have pulled out of a program intended to let hundreds of thousands of children see the world's best athletes compete.

National Jun 9, 2021

Sapporo unprepared for Olympics amid COVID-19 resurgence in Japan

Officials in the city say they still don't have key information, including how many athletes to expect and details on health facilities.

National | FOCUS Mar 24, 2021

Japan state-funded hotel deal pays rent to Myanmar Defense Ministry

The payments, starting in 2017, are not illegal but are potentially embarrassing for Tokyo given alleged human rights abuses by Myanmar’s military.

National Feb 19, 2021

How a student battled a culture of silence to help oust Tokyo's Olympic chief

In less than two weeks, Momoko Nojo's petition campaign gathered more than 150,000 signatures, galvanizing global outrage over sexist remarks by Yoshiro Mori.

National Feb 16, 2021

Dream of running Olympic torch relay now prompts feelings of guilt for Japan doctor

The Olympic torch relay is set to begin on March 25, even though Tokyo and nine other prefectures are set to remain under a state of emergency through March 7.

Business / Corporate Jan 31, 2021

No Plan B: Japan's sponsors shelve ads as mood sours over Olympics

Sponsors also worry that organizers have not told them what contingency plans there are in case the pandemic derails the games again this year.

National Dec 16, 2020

Suga under fire for year-end dinners as coronavirus cases mount

Suga's outings came after the government abruptly halted a government travel subsidy program he had long defended.

Asia Pacific Oct 28, 2020

South Korea's conscripted doctors feel like 'human shields' in virus battle

As the coronavirus pandemic began sweeping through South Korea late in February, Dr. Nam Ha-jong received an order to report overnight to Daegu, a city that was to become the epicenter of infections. With little formal training in treating virus victims and just two hours ...

Entertainment News Oct 8, 2020

Can K-pop superstars be exempt from military service?

Calls are mounting within South Korea for members of megaband BTS to be granted alternatives or delays to mandatory military service, with some lawmakers and fans arguing they are doing plenty for their country without wearing a soldier's uniform.