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Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 3, 2020

Coronavirus threatens revival of Japan's deflationary nemesis

Years after Japan made a cautious recovery from its long deflationary spell, the world's third-largest economy may be headed back into a cycle of falling prices as the coronavirus threatens a deep downturn and policymakers struggle for options.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 3, 2020

In Taiwan, anger at China over coronavirus drives identity debate

Anger at being confused with China amid the coronavirus outbreak and Beijing's stepped-up efforts to assert sovereignty is stirring heated debate in Taiwan about how to further distance itself from its giant and often threatening neighbor.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Apr 3, 2020

Iwate 3/11 survivors face isolation as wait to leave makeshift houses drags on

About 40 households who survived the March 2011 earthquakes and tsunami in the coastal areas of Iwate Prefecture are still stuck in makeshift housing, waiting to move into new homes.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 3, 2020

Climate disasters seen increasing armed conflict risk in large countries

Countries with large populations and low levels of development are most likely to see a rise in the risk of armed conflict after extreme weather events, according to a new study that researchers said underscored the need to boost their resilience.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 3, 2020

Armed with good data, engineers wage quiet battle for cleaner air

As countries try to slash air pollution and step up action on climate change, many are looking at a key culprit: tailpipes.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 3, 2020

Astronomers spot 'missing link' black hole — not too big and not too small

Scientists have detected a midsize black hole — considered the "missing link" in the understanding of these celestial brutes — eviscerating an unfortunate star that strayed too close.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2020

British love for health service could make or break Boris Johnson

Schoolkids in lockdown put home-made signs in their bedroom windows thanking brave doctors and nurses. Families stepped outside their front doors for a national round of applause. Public buildings lit up blue. Stores have offered discounts to hospital staff, and designated hours.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 3, 2020

Poorer nations least prepared for pandemic lockdowns

As countries around the globe try to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, nowhere is the task more challenging and the risk greater than in the developing world.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 3, 2020

Wuhan official preaches vigilance as China plans to mourn coronavirus 'martyrs'

The top official in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic in China, warned residents to strengthen self-protection measures and avoid going out as Beijing preaches vigilance to avoid a resurgence of infections.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 3, 2020

Actress Aoi Mizuhara explores Asian family values in 'The Farewell,' her Hollywood debut

Japanese actress Aoi Mizuhara explores Asian family values in her debut Hollywood film, 'The Farewell,' which is set for release in Japan in April.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Apr 3, 2020

Ensuring live music survives the pandemic

While the COVID-19 pandemic has all but shut down Japan's live music scene, innovative acts and labels are still reaching fans in the country.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 3, 2020

Where to order craft beer online in Japan

Craving a cold one while staying home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19? The Japan Times has you covered with 13 recommendations for where you can order craft beer delivered straight to your home.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 3, 2020

The religious retreat that sparked India's major coronavirus manhunt

It was late on Sunday night when officials in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh received the alert. Federal authorities said they needed to track down more than 1,000 people linked to a large Muslim missionary gathering nearly 2,000 km away in the capital New Delhi.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 3, 2020

Zoom grapples with security flaws that sour users on app

During the coronavirus pandemic, it seems as if everyone is connecting with Zoom’s videoconferencing app — including, on occasion, unwanted visitors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Apr 3, 2020

Trump’s push for huge deal to cut oil supply draws disbelief

With just one tweet, U.S. President Donald Trump conjured up the prospect of a global oil alliance to rescue the industry from the worst shock in history. The question is whether it evaporates just as quickly.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 3, 2020

U.S. jobless claims soar to once-unthinkable record 6.65 million

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits soared to a record 6.65 million last week, a level unimaginable just a month ago.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 3, 2020

Global coronavirus cases surpass 1 million

Global coronavirus cases surpassed 1 million on Thursday with more than 52,000 deaths as the pandemic further exploded in the United States and the death toll climbed in Spain and Italy, according to a Reuters tally of official data.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 2, 2020

With suicide note and lawsuit, Moritomo scandal back to haunt Abe

With the publication of a suicide note by a former Finance Ministry official and subsequent lawsuit by his widow, the Moritomo Gakuen scandal has returned to haunt Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But with Abe saying the issue has been settled and Japan finding itself in the midst of the coronavirus crisis,...
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 2, 2020

Financial stimulus in rich countries could worsen fates of poorer economies

A massive exodus of capital from emerging economies has left many in a Catch-22 position, where adopting the kinds of monetary and fiscal stimulus measures the rich world is deploying could perversely make things worse.
BUSINESS
Apr 2, 2020

Britons to receive 'stop-gap' loan relief to weather pandemic

British consumers will get a three-month freeze on loan and credit card payments to weather the COVID-19 epidemic, under plans outlined by the country's financial regulator on Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2020

Abenomask? Prime minister's 'two masks per household' policy spawns memes on social media

Social media has expressed shock at what they see as a tone-deaf policy.
Japan Times
EDITORIALS
Apr 2, 2020

Is the nation ready for a long battle against COVID-19?

Many major cities around the globe have implemented lockdowns, but Japan’s big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka have not yet followed suit. Because of that, a sense of crisis about the coronavirus pandemic among the public seems relatively low. In New York, a ban on eating in restaurants and cafes was...
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2020

Japan education officials divided on reopening schools amid COVID-19 outbreaks

A panel composed of infectious disease experts said that extending school closures in areas particularly hard-hit by COVID-19 could be an option.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 2, 2020

Policy goal: How to get from good to great

As Japanese and global policymakers are rushing to design policies to counter the looming economic depression, advice from one of my favorite economists, Jean-Baptiste Say, comes to mind. In 1803 he wrote: “In policy as well as in morality, the grand secret is not to constrain the actions, but to awaken...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 2, 2020

Japan must take stronger measures

The government has come in for some well-earned criticism for its initial response to COVID-19. It must do better.

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?