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Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jan 18, 2020

Social media turns its back on Japan's beloved strong alcoholic beverages

Everyone has a friend who likes to darken the mood when others are simply trying to have a good time. Dr. Toshihiko Matsumoto took on this mantle over the new year, killing the buzz for a number of people on social media just hours before the new decade started.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Jan 18, 2020

Rieko Nakagawa: From 'Guri and Gura' to Studio Ghibli

Rieko Nakagawa, born in 1935 in Sapporo, was working as a teacher in a small nursery school near Komazawa Park when she wrote her first children's book.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Jan 18, 2020

Kukai: Sowing the seeds of Shingon Buddhism

'Some say that though Kobo Daishi (Kukai) left this life he did not die, that he lies uncorrupted in (his tomb on Mount Koya) under these ancient trees, awaiting the coming of the future Buddha who will signal the salvation of the world' — Oliver Statler, 'Japanese Pilgrimage' (1983)
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 18, 2020

South Korean news source says North Korea has changed its foreign minister

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho has been replaced, Seoul-based NK News reported Saturday.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 18, 2020

Once-in-a-decade U.S. Census to kick off in remote Alaska Native village

This year's once-a-decade official U.S. national population count will start in a small Alaska Native village perched on the tundra overlooking the Bering Sea. Daytime temperatures will be well below freezing.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2020

Government sends notices to prefectures seeking talks on merging some public hospitals

As the country faces a need to streamline the medical sector amid soaring medical expenses, the health ministry has sent notices to prefectures requesting discussions on possible mergers of publicly run local hospitals.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 18, 2020

Japan activist investor Yoshiaki Murakami makes surprise bid to disrupt Toshiba deal

Japan's best-known activist investor announces a tender offer for Toshiba Machine Co., which is embroiled in a controversial takeover battle for NuFlare Technology Inc.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 18, 2020

A transformative deal for nature

Protecting biodiversity will require a whole-of-society effort and strong government commitments.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 18, 2020

Species' extinction could be a new beginning

Beijing is well-positioned to help other developing nations avoid the mistakes it's made in protecting biodiversity.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 18, 2020

Yama succeeds after sumo

Life after professional sumo (for those who don't qualify for elder status) is generally quite prosaic.
CARTOONS / DAHL'S JAPAN
Jan 18, 2020

Hot Air & Bribes

Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 18, 2020

Six Japanese government officials reprimanded over cherry blossom party records

The Cabinet Office said Friday that it has verbally reprimanded six current and former personnel division heads for failing to properly manage records on controversial cherry blossom-viewing parties hosted by the prime minister.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 18, 2020

Myanmar and China agree to speed projects but ink no new deals

China and Myanmar inked dozens of deals on Saturday to speed up infrastructure projects as Beijing seeks to cement its hold over a neighbor increasingly isolated by the West.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 18, 2020

U.S. will work to determine if ex-ambassador Yovanovitch was under threat in Ukraine, Pompeo says

The U.S. State Department will do everything necessary to determine whether former U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was under threat in Ukraine, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 18, 2020

Toshiba CEO Nobuaki Kurumatani to be given additional title of president in April

Toshiba Corp. Chief Executive Officer Nobuaki Kurumatani will add the title of president effective April, part of a revamp among top management aimed at speeding up decision-making.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jan 18, 2020

Naomi Osaka aims for third Grand Slam win

Naomi Osaka has learned to appreciate her victories more after enduring the "toughest" year of her fledging career and the Japanese world No. 3 says mentally she is in a better place to launch her Australian Open title defense.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 18, 2020

Iran's Khamenei stands by Guard after unrest over downed plane

Iran's supreme leader threw his support behind the elite Revolutionary Guard in a rare sermon on Friday after their belated admission that they had accidentally downed an airliner triggered days of street protests.

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?