The British spy behind the rise in Japan’s naval air power leading up to World War II
William Sempill’s mission to Japan 100 years ago led to intelligence leaks that some believe were partly to blame for Japan’s audacious attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Saikaku pens five tales to inspire lovers in the Edo Period
Born in the mid-17th century, during the earlier days of the Edo Period, novelist Ihara Saikaku explored love in "Five Women Who Loved Love."
Japan seeks to remember its war dead as individuals with new memorial services
Determining the name of each military and civilian casualty is a monumental task. In many cases, there were no remains.
Japan Times 1971: Five men storm the Diet and hurl fire bombs
October 1971 saw many busy news days as the Emperor and Empress returned from a historic trip and there was a massive train crash. Meanwhile, Marxists were involved in a dangerous campaign.
Researcher sees lesson for today in tragedy of settlers in Manchuria
Documentary-maker Takanori Tezuka says the era's blind faith in authority is a trait still seen in Japanese society today.
The first chapter in a long tale of Japanese romance
From the coupling of gods to form Japan to a female samurai dying on the battlefield, stories of love have always been intertwined with history.
In 1921, Crown Prince Hirohito returns from Europe, making history as the first member of the ruling family to travel overseas. As Emperor, he makes history again 50 years later.
A tradition built on faith is put out to sea
In 1565, a temple abbot sets out on a journey at the age of 61 as is expected of him. Alone, he goes berserk and alters a tradition.
Japanese soldier recalls lucky survival on Burma front in World War II
Shoichi Sato, 98, survived malaria, bombings and a siege, but many of his comrades weren't so fortunate.
Surviving the atomic bomb, only to live a life of regret
Miyako Yano was absent from school the day Hiroshima was bombed. Decades later, she was reunited with her deceased friends in a school register.
Memories of a parent and a Hiroshima hometown, preserved in photographs
Okiharu Terao survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima — but had lost his father, a keen photographer, earlier in the war.
Unearthing the story of an uncle's prewar past in Hiroshima
Masakatsu Takeyari hopes newly unearthed remains of the location where his uncle's military unit was based will be fully utilized for education and commemoration.
