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EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2019

'Star Wars' missile defense remains a dangerous fantasy

The 'Star Wars' missile defense system's goals still exceed the capabilities of existing technology and threatened an arms race between the U.S. and its adversaries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2019

Reform education to produce true leaders

Greater involvement by families and local communities can stimulate the curiosity of young potential leaders and cultivate their spirit of adventure.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 23, 2019

Putin doesn't have the clout to get a deal with Abe

Resolving a dispute from WWII would require giving up territory, but that would be deeply unpopular in Russia.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 23, 2019

Latest trick for Sony's Aibo robotic pooch: Acting as watchdog

Sony Corp. on Wednesday showed off the latest tricks of its signature robotic dog, Aibo, including a new security capability of patrolling inside a house.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2019

Nursing skill tests for new visa expected to start in Vietnam and Philippines

The government is considering holding the first skills tests for foreign nationals hoping to work in the Japan's nursing sector under new visa categories in Vietnam and the Philippines, sources with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Jan 23, 2019

Episode 5: The legacy of the University of Tokyo riots

50 years on from the riots at the University of Tokyo, where does activism in Japan stand now?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2019

Toyota and Panasonic to launch joint venture to make electric vehicle batteries by end of 2020

Toyota Motor Corp. and electronics giant Panasonic Corp. said Tuesday they will jointly establish a new company to make batteries for automobiles, including electric vehicles, by the end of 2020.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2019

88rising's quest to find a Japanese hip-hop sensation

Japanese music hasn't made many inroads into Western markets this decade. Save for some brief viral flashes and niche success, the country's artists have mostly been overlooked. However, Sean Miyashiro, founder of media company 88rising, thinks Japan still holds one big advantage.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2019

'Divine Justice': The surprises behind closed doors

Love hotels feature in many Japanese films, including those, like Ryuichi Hiroki's "Kabukicho Love Hotel" and Izuru Kumasaka's "Asyl: Park and Love Hotel," that make such establishments a central focus. Typically guests drop their social masks within their walls, while employees get an up-close view...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2019

Story of Iwao Hakamada, boxer who spent 48 years on death row, to become manga series

The story of Iwao Hakamada, a former professional boxer and death-row inmate, 82, who continues to battle to clear his name over a 1966 quadruple murder, will be adapted into a manga series, supporters of the convict announced Wednesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2019

'The Relative Worlds': A rough ride across two universes

The concept of parallel universes is a fascinating one. What if there was another you out there, making the big bucks, fighting in a war or writing bad poetry? And what would happen if you and your alternate self were ever to meet up?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Jan 23, 2019

Waxing philosophical in English class with 'Thinking Experiments'

If you've ever taught English at a Japanese school, you'll likely be familiar with a certain kind of silence — pervasive and tinged with teenage ennui. Authors Alexander Dutson and James Hill want to recommend breaking the ice with philosophy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Jan 23, 2019

Trying out a lesson on traditional notions of gender

I teach a class of 38 at Hamamatsu Higashi Senior High School in Shizuoka Prefecture, and earlier this month I tried out a gender-themed lesson from Alexander Dutson and James Hill's "Thinking Experiments."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 23, 2019

Renault convenes board to turn page on Carlos Ghosn era

Renault has called a board meeting to replace Chairman and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn, in a move that may begin to ease tensions with alliance partner Nissan in the wake of Ghosn's arrest in Japan for alleged financial misconduct.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2019

First-time, short-term visitors to Japan hit record 27 million in 2018, making up 98% of arrivals

The number of new, short-term visitors to Japan hit a record high of 27.05 million last year, according to data showing arrivals from overseas by their visa status released by the Justice Ministry for the first time.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019

Germany's Merkel and France's Macron seek to unite European defense industry as U.S. support wanes

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are pushing for a more united defense industry, citing renewed ties between the two nations as a way to bolster the safety of the European Union in the face of flagging American support.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2019

To avoid feared no-deal Brexit, Parliament may force May to ask EU to delay departure date

The U.K. Parliament is moving closer to a plan to delay Brexit in order to stop the country dropping out of the European Union with no deal and avoid the risk of an economically damaging divorce.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 23, 2019

What #MeToo? Dealmaking in escort bars thrives in corporate East Asia, including Japan

In Tokyo's Ginza, Seoul's Gangnam and Beijing's Chaoyang financial district, a familiar scene plays out almost every night of the work week. As dusk falls, businessmen flock to karaoke and hostess clubs to close deals and build relationships in the liquor-lubricated intimacy of young women.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019

As Taliban talks gather pace, Afghan women fear turning back of the clock

Eighteen years ago, at the height of the Taliban's power in Afghanistan, Roshan Mashal secretly taught her daughters to read and write alongside a dozen local girls who smuggled school books to her house in potato sacks.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 23, 2019

U.S. top envoy Pompeo expects 'good marker' with North Korea before next Trump-Kim summit

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday there remains "an awful lot of work to do" to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea but he anticipates further progress by the end of next month, when the U.S. and North Korean leaders are expected to meet for a second summit.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2019

Huge Afghanistan attack with massive death toll shows Taliban strength at outset of talks

The Taliban, carrying out one of the deadliest attacks of Afghanistan's 17-year insurgency just hours before new peace talks began, has rammed home its message that it intends to reach any settlement from a position of strength on the battlefield.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 23, 2019

Latest Trump line about global warming makes a chilling mistake

With an Arctic blast chilling the northern states, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted over the weekend that it "Wouldn't be bad to have a little of that good old fashioned Global Warming right now!"
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2019

Trump won't soften hard line on need for China reforms to make trade deal, advisers say

As much as U.S. President Donald Trump wants to boost markets through a trade pact with China, he will not soften his position that Beijing must make real structural reforms, including how it handles intellectual property, to reach a deal, advisers say.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2019

New U.S. intelligence strategy warns that Russia and China are seizing on global turmoil

Russia and China are taking advantage of changes in the "strategic environment" that has prevailed for almost a century to gain influence and undermine American objectives, according to a new strategy document issued by U.S. intelligence agencies.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2019

U.S. Supreme Court again mum on Trump's 'Dreamers' appeals

The U.S. Supreme Court closed the door at least for now on President Donald Trump's effort to end protections for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants dubbed "Dreamers," with the justices again silent on Tuesday on three related appeals.

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?