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Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 15, 2020

U.S. military says coronavirus likely occurred naturally but not certain

U.S. intelligence indicates that the coronavirus likely occurred naturally, as opposed to being created in a laboratory in China, but there is no certainty either way, the top U.S. general said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 15, 2020

China ship back in waters off Vietnam; U.S. says Beijing exploiting pandemic

A Chinese ship embroiled in a standoff with Vietnamese vessels last year has returned to waters near Vietnam as the United States accused China of pushing its presence in the South China Sea while other claimants are pre-occupied with the coronavirus.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2020

Cardboard boxes replace hotel rooms at Narita as Japan struggles with returnees

Travel restrictions are keeping Narita Airport — Japan’s gateway to the world — eerily quiet. Over the past week or so, the usual bustle from international travelers has been replaced with something else: cardboard beds.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2020

Japanese supermarket chain offers staff 'emergency gratitude payment' as stores stay open amid pandemic

With crowds still flocking to supermarkets in Japan amid the coronavirus pandemic and the country's state of emergency, the operator of Life supermarkets is granting approximately 40,000 of its employees — including part-time workers — an "exceptional emergency gratitude payment," which will cost...
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

An homage to Trump

Because now the COVID-19 pandemic is centered in the United States, and as an homage to President Donald Trump's weeks of irresponsibly belittling the gravity of the disease in the face of World Health Organization warnings throughout January, February and early March — comparing it to seasonal flu...
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

Thoughts on the Honnoji incident

Who really killed Oda Nobunaga at Honnoji temple in Kyoto on lunar June 2, 1582? The answer, of course, is Akechi Mitsuhide. According to legend, Mitsuhide plotted a rebellion against Nobunaga out of a grudge for Nobunaga's repeated abuse of him.
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

The government's questionable priorities

Regarding the April 9 story "Tokyo and central governments clash over what should shut in emergency," I find it absolutely amazing that the economic revitalization minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, said during a videoconference that barbershops and beauty salons are "vital in maintaining lives."
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

Frustrating lack of access to multilanguage Ghibli films

Regarding the April 11 story "Forget you're under quarantine and lose yourself in the world of Studio Ghibli," not only are Ghibli movies not available on Netflix in Japan, but even the DVDs here are not bilingual. So, one has to purchase both English dubbed DVDs and Japanese DVDs respectively in order...
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

All of Japan, not just the big cities, need to be vigilant

More attention needs to be paid to areas other than heavily hit areas such as Tokyo and Osaka when investigating and reporting on the coronavirus outbreak in Japan to raise risk awareness among citizens in those areas.
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

Scammers targeting lonely coronavirus victims

There has been an increasing number of people claiming to be from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan who are trying to scam people on social media websites, including dating sites. The trend that I have noticed involves scammers having pictures of attractive women who are in their 20s and 30s in fashionable...
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

'Amabie' — an eerie coincidence

Regarding your April 2 story “Japanese monster goes viral on hopes for end to coronavirus pandemic,” permit me to indulge in conjecture. Despite the media attention the amabie mythical creature has been garnering over the last few weeks (The Guardian and The New Yorker have also run stories on this...
Reader Mail
Apr 15, 2020

After the pandemic, what?

Things have changed so much in a month. I taught at a university until March, whereas today I stayed home all day struggling to take a video for the next class. It feels like I am suddenly forced to became a full-time YouTuber.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2020

U.S. Forces Japan extends health emergency to all of country

U.S. Forces Japan on Wednesday extended the public health emergency for its military bases to all of Japan, where there has been a steady increase in new coronavirus infections and the government has declared a state of emergency for major population areas.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 15, 2020

Fujifilm to boost capacity to make COVID-19 treatment Avigan

Fujifilm Holdings Corp. said Wednesday it has expanded manufacturing capacity to "significantly increase" production of its anti-flu drug Avigan that is being tested as a treatment for COVID-19.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Apr 15, 2020

Immerse yourself in these top travel Instagram accounts

While on lockdown, Instagram gives us the chance to travel vicariously — to get lost in beautiful landscapes, to peer into destinations and gaze in wonder at the adventures that await once we are all free to explore the world again.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 15, 2020

'Isolated within isolation': Keeping the coronavirus out of Antarctica

In the frozen and desolate expanse of Antarctica, Alejandro Valenzuela Pena is used to a feeling of isolation. Now, however, that has taken on a new meaning as the only continent still free from the coronavirus looks to keep the pandemic out.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 15, 2020

Asanoyama strong favorite to become sumo's next hot star

With the sport mostly at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic, the upcoming NFL Draft inspires Japan Times sumo columnist John Gunning to again consider his top rikishi selections.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 15, 2020

Abe administration faces flak over hesitancy to compensate virus-hit businesses

Regional governors have rebuked the government over its hesitance to take bold financial measures, leaving many business owners no choice but to stay open amid the pandemic.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Apr 15, 2020

Rui Hachimura urges Japanese fans to 'stay positive' during crisis

The Washington Wizards rookie answered questions from fans in English and Japanese during a 30-minute video chat hosted on the team's official Twitter account.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Apr 15, 2020

Inside Hong Kong judges’ battle with China over courts’ autonomy

The independence of Hong Kong's judicial system is under assault from the Communist Party leadership in Beijing, senior judges in the city have said, posing the gravest threat to the rule of law since Britain handed its former colony back to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 15, 2020

Insta wars: China tensions in Southeast Asia flare online in battle of memes

Social media anger from Chinese nationalists over a Thai internet model's comments on the coronavirus has set off a storm, uniting pro-democracy campaigners against pro-Beijing cyberwarriors, with insults and mocking memes flying.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 15, 2020

Obama bursts back on the scene with endorsement of Joe Biden

Barack Obama roared back into presidential politics by endorsing Joe Biden on Tuesday as Democrats work to unify ahead of a nasty general election campaign against President Donald Trump made trickier by the coronavirus pandemic and a worsening economy.

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?