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JAPAN / Politics
Oct 4, 2019

Abe opens Diet session with call for social welfare reform for all generations

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kicks off the extraordinary Diet session by tweaking his social welfare vows to appeal more to seniors and people with disabilities as he targets Article 9.
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Oct 4, 2019

Sixty years after deadly Ise Bay typhoon, experts say Chubu disaster prevention needs an update

The Ise Bay typhoon, a killer storm that swept through the Chubu region on Sept. 26, 1959, claiming more than 5,000 lives, became an opportunity for the nation to make great progress in disaster prevention efforts, including the construction of seawalls and river levees, as well as the enactment of the...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Oct 4, 2019

Ecotourism boom seen as threat to Indonesia's Komodo dragons

There is nothing cuddly about the 5,000 or so Komodo dragons that still roam the wild. They are aggressive, venomous predators that can reach 10 feet (3 meters) long and weigh more than 150 pounds (70 kg). They have been known to occasionally attack humans, sometimes fatally.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2019

Action taken against 112 firms last year for abuses under Japan's foreign intern training program

With cases of abuse ranging from trainees forced to pay illegal deposits to an intern who was forced to work 225 hours of overtime in a month, authorities last year took disciplinary action against 112 firms using the state-sponsored Technical Intern Training Program.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Oct 4, 2019

Fukushima Prefecture to conduct survey to better understand foreign residents' needs

Amid a growing number of foreign residents, Fukushima Prefecture is set to initiate a survey in October that will look into their needs and concerns.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 4, 2019

'Massive policy failure' if Japan follows through with global coal plans, warns Al Gore

The climate change campaigner and former U.S. vice president says Japan's enthusiastic support for coal as an energy source is ruining its credibility as a leading economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 4, 2019

Japan Finance Minister Taro Aso plays down need for stimulus after tax hike

Finance Minister Taro Aso on Friday dismissed the need to boost fiscal stimulus to counter the impact of the consumption tax hike, despite expectations the government and the Bank of Japan may act to reduce pressure on the world's third-largest economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 4, 2019

U.S. and U.K. to ink deal to get data faster from tech firms about terrorism and child abuse cases

The United States and the United Kingdom are seizing on Facebook Inc.'s plan to apply end-to-end encryption across its messaging services to press for major changes to a practice long opposed by law enforcement, saying it hinders the fight against child abuse and terrorism.
EDITORIALS
Oct 4, 2019

Hong Kong spoils Xi's celebration

This is largely a domestic drama, but one with unmistakable implications for the region.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 4, 2019

New Cabinet's must-do economic policies

The Cabinet must pursue management of the economy that will achieve near-term stimulus and medium- to long-term growth.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Oct 4, 2019

Rip-off bars are taking advantage of Japan's tourism boom

With the number of foreign tourists to Japan increasing by the year, authorities are warning visitors to steer clear of so-called rip-off bars.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 4, 2019

Saving the Japan-South Korea relationship

Historical and territorial disputes have consistently marred bilateral ties, but relations between the two democracies have hit a new low.
Reader Mail
Oct 4, 2019

Cut down on single-use plastics

Japan is regarded as one of the cleanest countries, due in part through the use of single-use plastics. The excessive use of plastic has become part of the culture of Japan; however, single-use plastics are causing one of the most prominent problems today: ocean pollution.
Reader Mail
Oct 4, 2019

Japan can find energy at sea

Many people around the world are asking for fixes to the climate. There will be conferences and parades to address this issue. While everyone is demanding it, not much is being done about it.
Reader Mail
Oct 4, 2019

Congratulations for big rugby win

What a fantastic victory Japan had over heavyweight Ireland at the Rugby World Cup. They played with great skill and enthusiasm that the Irish couldn't match. It was an epic victory, even better than Japan's famous victory over South Africa four years ago. Regardless of where Japan finishes in the tournament,...
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 4, 2019

Ecuador declares state of emergency as end to fuel subsidies brings violent protests

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency on Thursday as protesters hurled stones and erected burning barricades after the end of decades-old fuel subsidies as part of a $2 billion government fiscal reform package.
Reader Mail
Oct 4, 2019

U.S., Japan both deserve blame

Regarding Grant Piper's letter "A-bombs ended WWII's atrocities" in the Sept. 22 edition, Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki in early April 1945 asked a committee to assess the capability of Japan to continue the war. In mid-May the committee submitted a report showing a bleak picture, including severely...
Reader Mail
Oct 4, 2019

A terrible pick for U.S. top court

Almost one year has passed since the U.S. Senate confirmed Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh by a 50-48 vote despite the sexual assault allegations against him. The recent report on a fresh sexual misconduct claim against him has again put his aptitude as a Supreme Court justice in doubt ("Trump...
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 4, 2019

All Blacks' Jordie Barrett ready for unfamiliar role

New Zealand utility back Jordie Barrett insists he is ready to rise to the challenge of being named as the All Blacks' starting standoff to face Namibia on Sunday — despite never having played the position in a test match before.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / BACKSTREET STORIES
Oct 4, 2019

Good, clean dining in the alleyways of Shiba

Minutes from Tamachi Station, the area of Shiba, is a maze of weathered watering holes, chain restaurants, karaoke joints and gritty izakaya (Japanese pubs), like an east Tokyo version of Shinjuku's Golden Gai.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 4, 2019

Dragons part ways with veteran pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka

The Chunichi Dragons are parting ways with former major leaguer Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has been given an opportunity to sign with another team for next season as he works his way back from a right shoulder injury.

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?