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May 14, 2025
 

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EDITORIALS
Jan 12, 2006
Turbulent times for Mr. Bush
For U.S. President George W. Bush, 2005 turned out to be an unusually tough year. Having won re-election -- something his father had failed to achieve, Mr. Bush had started out on his second term as a historic second-generation president of the United States. But the initial euphoria proved short-lived....
EDITORIALS
Jan 11, 2006
Integrate decentralization efforts
This is likely to be a watershed year in the government's drive toward decentralization. The challenges are many, including "second-phase" reform of central and local government finances, debate on streamlining the prefectural system (designed to create larger administrative zones), and development of...
EDITORIALS
Jan 10, 2006
A vacuum in Israel
A massive stroke has felled Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Recovery is uncertain, and most observers believe his political career is over regardless. The loss will be felt not only by Israel but also by Palestinians and the world. For all his shortcomings, Mr. Sharon has been a leader with a vision,...
EDITORIALS
Jan 9, 2006
Obstinacy vs. national interest
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement at his New Year news conference has added stress to Japan's already strained relations with China and South Korea. He defiantly criticized the two neighboring countries for refusing summit talks with Japan because of his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine....
EDITORIALS
Jan 8, 2006
A bear who's aging well
Eighty years ago this year, a stuffed bear was brought downstairs by a small English boy named Christopher Robin -- "bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head" -- to be introduced to the world in the first of two books starring the amiable, slow-witted creature. The world got one look at Winnie-the-Pooh...
EDITORIALS
Jan 7, 2006
Plug the fundraising loopholes
Political funds flowing into the coffers of political parties and political organizations nationwide in 2004 totaled 290.8 billion yen, down 9.8 percent from 2003. Of that amount, revenue collected by local party chapters and organizations came to 152.7 billion yen, a decrease of 16.3 percent from the...
EDITORIALS
Jan 6, 2006
Japan's economic upturn
Last year saw a gradual upswing in the Japanese economy. The stock market revived and many Japanese corporations earned record profits. The average stock price at the Tokyo Stock Exchange has risen by about 40 percent in the past year. Toward the end of 2005, it topped 16,000 for the first time in more...
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2006
Barriers to U.S. force relocation
An interim report for U.S. base relocation in Japan, prepared by the Japanese and U.S. governments last October, has met stiff opposition in various parts of the country affected by the relocation plans. As things stand now, prospects for a final agreement look uncertain at best.
EDITORIALS
Jan 4, 2006
Fading image of safety
Japan was once thought to be one of the safest countries to live in by residents as well as visitors. But a series of incidents the past year suggest that this is no longer the case. Crimes and accidents have cost people their lives, while the shirking of responsibility and business ethics on the part...
EDITORIALS
Jan 3, 2006
Asian democratic tide ebbs
Personal and political freedom is expanding around the globe. Freedom House, a U.S.-based nongovernmental organization that tracks these developments, reports that more people enjoy civil liberties than ever before. As is to be expected, the gains are uneven. Sadly, some of the worst abuses of freedom...
EDITORIALS
Jan 1, 2006
The certainty of more unknowns
In a Zen-like moment, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld produced the following pearl of wisdom: "There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. There are known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we...
EDITORIALS
Dec 31, 2005
A year of battered dreams
The year 2005 is likely to be remembered as a bitter one in which many dreams were battered and many cherished ideals tarnished. For sure, there were high points, but they were overshadowed by the many disappointments.
Transport ministry issues warning to Haneda Airport operator
The operator of Tokyo's Haneda Airport has been warned by the government over its inappropriate transactions.
Xi defiance pays off as Trump meets most China trade demands
Then-Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visits a school in South Gate, California, in February 2012. Experts say Xi won big in his standoff with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Nissan shares surge as carmaker set to cut 20,000 jobs in huge overhaul
U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on cars and car parts imported to the U.S. have been painful to most global brands, but crippling in Nissan’s case.
Japan might be playing long game in U.S. tariff talks
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House earlier this year. Ishiba said Monday that farmers won't be sacrificed for automakers in Japan's tariff negotiations with the U.S.
More details emerge about stabbing near Tokyo University metro station
Yoshitaka Toda, the suspect in Wednesday's knife attack at Todaimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line, leaves a police station in the Japanese capital the same day for a pre-detention medical examination.
Japan set for bigger role in Philippines after SDF’s debut in key drills
Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Michael Logico, who was involved in managing the latest iteration of the Balikatan U.S.-Philippine drills, told The Japan Times that he expects military ties with Japan to surge even further once Tokyo ratifies a key visiting-forces agreement with Manila.
In China’s ‘Michelin Guide,’ Tokyo leads overseas listings with 30 entries
China's Black Pearl Restaurant Guide held its award ceremony overseas for the first time, picking the dining capital of Singapore to promote its brand to an international audience.
Who could become Japan's next prime minister?
Clockwise from top left: Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi
With a new Shibuya studio, Apple Music bets big on Japan
Apple Music personalities (from left) Ebro Darden, Kentaro Ochiai, Zane Lowe and Mino came together for a special recording in late April to discuss music and celebrate the newly opened Apple Music studio in Tokyo.
Escalation fears rise in Japan following Chinese moves near Senkakus
A Japan Coast Guard vessel sails in front of the Uotsuri islet, one of the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. Concerns are growing in Tokyo after a Chinese government helicopter violated Japan's airspace around the uninhabited islets.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.
What comes after 100?
By Tomoko Otake

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