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Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 19, 2019

Apple, Google and Amazon seek standard for smart devices

Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Amazon.com Inc. — three of the biggest providers of smart-home and voice-assistant technology — are joining forces to make internet-connected homes easier to set up and safer to use.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 19, 2019

Isuzu to buy Japanese truck unit from Volvo in $2.3 billion deal

Volvo Group has agreed to sell its UD Trucks unit to Isuzu Motors Ltd. for about $2.3 billion and announced plans to forge a strategic alliance with its Japanese rival, the latest sign of consolidation in the global automotive industry.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2019

Japan government silent as Kumamoto pioneers secret-birth system

A private hospital in Kumamoto that has launched a program for women who want to give birth anonymously is calling on the government to legalize the program, but receiving little in the way of response.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2019

Japan ekes out progress in a turbulent year of politicized trade

World trade continued to plunge into chaos this year, as U.S. President Donald Trump continued to petrify trading partners around the world with his unpredictable presidency.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 19, 2019

Change to Chinese university's charter dropping 'freedom of thought' stirs debate

Changes to the charter of one of China's top universities — dropping the phrase "freedom of thought" and adding a pledge to follow the Communist Party's leadership — have sparked heated debate and a rare act of student defiance.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Dec 19, 2019

Alvark's Takeki Shonaka playing key role as a backup

When opportunity knocks, Takeki Shonaka is ready to answer the call.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 19, 2019

Villains or visionaries? Hedge funds short companies they say 'greenwash'

Tens of trillions of global investment dollars are pouring into companies touting robust environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials. Now short-sellers spy an opportunity.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2019

Japan approves reduced post-3/11 reconstruction budget, citing progress

The government approved a plan Thursday to drastically reduce its budget for reconstruction of areas hit by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster due to progress in ongoing projects.
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2019

Japan's government to discuss ways to promote freelance work

A panel chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that the government would discuss ways of promoting freelance work to create more options for people to work without being tied to an organization.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Dec 19, 2019

Traditional New Year's fare for a family feast

The significance of a new decade cannot be understated, and the Royal Park Hotel is pulling out all the stops to ring in the New Year — and 2020s — with a series of events and meals.
Japan Times
LIFE / EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Dec 19, 2019

Clock signals changing face of Wako Building

Leading watch brand Seiko unveiled its Rondeau Karakuri Clock in Ginza's Wako Building on Dec. 18, just in time for the Christmas and New Year season.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2019

Wakanda free trade forever? Fictional nation removed from U.S. trade list

The United States Department of Agriculture removed the fictional country of Wakanda from an online list of nations that have free trade agreements with the United States on Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2019

Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jolts Aomori Prefecture area

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake, which measured a weak 5 on the shindo (intensity) scale, was detected at a depth of 50 kilometers off eastern Aomori Prefecture, on Thursday at 3:21 p.m.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 19, 2019

Trump impeachment: The Democrats who weren't convinced

Wednesday's impeachment vote against President Donald Trump posed a political test for 31 House Democrats who represent districts that backed Trump in the 2016 presidential election, as Republicans warned that those lawmakers could face a backlash if they supported the effort to remove the president...
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 19, 2019

U.S. and South Korea fail to agree on payments for hosting American troops

South Korea and the United States failed on Wednesday to agree on Seoul's contribution toward hosting some 28,500 U.S. troops, but the U.S. side hinted after the two days of talks ended that it will no longer stick to its $5 billion demand.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2019

Japanese consumer agency warns against hanging belongings on baby strollers after series of accidents

The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan is calling for people to use baby strollers correctly, following a series of accidents due to belongings being hung on strollers.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 19, 2019

'This is not our winter': Moscow temperatures hit 133-year high

Residents of Moscow are wondering where winter has gone as the highest December temperatures in 133 years deprive the Russian capital of its customary covering of snow.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / 2019 in Review
Dec 19, 2019

2019 saw just a few glimmers of hope in an otherwise mediocre year for Japanese film

The year predictably saw new iterations of long-running anime favorites top the box office, but the year's truly interesting films lay much further down the financial rankings.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 2019 in Review
Dec 19, 2019

Japanese television relied heavily on tried and tested formulas in 2019

While the Rugby World Cup and the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito brought the viewers flocking, television networks did little to offer anything else new in 2019.

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?