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JAPAN / Politics / Decision 2017
Oct 16, 2017

Edano taking center stage as CDP gains momentum

Yukio Edano, founder and president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is taking the spotlight ahead of the general election.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 16, 2017

Let's discuss the DP joining up with Kibo no To

In a dramatic move, the center-left Democratic Party decided Sept. 28 to effectively disband its Lower House caucus and join Kibo no To.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 16, 2017

Deadline nears for Catalan leader to clarify independence stance or face direct Spain rule

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has until 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Monday to clarify whether he is calling for the region's independence from Spain, with Madrid threatening a return to direct rule if his stance remains ambiguous.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 2, 2017

Let's discuss telecommuting

Telecommuting from Shari, Hokkaido
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Oct 1, 2017

Kumano Kodo guide unfairly singled out

A letter regarding Amy Chavez's Japan Lite column 'Blame for 'bad tourists' to Japan lies with the advice they never receive.'
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Sep 24, 2017

Local, national agendas shade parties' prospects in expected snap poll

As Japan gears up for an anticipated snap election at the end of October, Kansai politicians and parties are staking out their positions on issues of national interest but with their eyes very much on local political needs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 22, 2017

Japan faces a consequential decision in possible snap election

When they go to the polls, voters must rationally assess the successes and shortcomings of the LDP under Abe and what they mean for Japan's future.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 21, 2017

Opposition lawmakers slam timing of Abe's snap poll plans as abuse of power

Abe's plan to force a snap election by closing an extraordinary Diet session the same day it opens has opposition lawmakers crying foul.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2017

Yuriko Koike criticizes Abenomics at meeting of group seeking to launch new party

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike criticized Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Abenomics economic policy mix on Saturday, saying it has failed to meet expectations and inspire confidence.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 16, 2017

There's no business like a star's personal business

If you've got a Twitter account in Japan, you've probably seen the promoted tweets for Netflix featuring comedian Sanma Akashiya. In these video spots, Sanma compares working for a streaming service to working for a commercial broadcaster, but doesn't mention the context for his remarks.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Sep 16, 2017

Konbini book sales are bound to make a difference

It should be evident to anyone who rides a commuter train or bus that Japan is a nation of people who take reading seriously. Needless to say, however, their reading habits, and readers' tastes, have been changing with the times.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 8, 2017

Threat of North Korean EMP attack leaves Japan vulnerable

Forget the missiles — all North Korea would have to do to wreak havoc on Japan is trigger an electromagnetic pulse to cripple its electrical grids, transportation and banks.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Sep 4, 2017

Let's discuss casino resort sites in Japan

Which city will get the casino?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Aug 30, 2017

Readers pay tribute to longtime Japan Times columnist Jean Pearce

A selection of readers' — and writers' — tributes to Jean Pearce, who for decades helped Japan's foreign community feel more at home in their adopted country.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Aug 28, 2017

Japan mulls setting up facility to analyze dementia genomes

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is considering setting up a data center to analyze the genomes of dementia patients.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 26, 2017

Japan's female politicians showing the way forward on maternity harassment

Since July 12, when Lower House lawmaker Takako Suzuki announced she was pregnant with her first child, the news media has been full of stories about "maternity harassment."
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Aug 21, 2017

Let's discuss smoking regulations in Japan

Will the 2020 Tokyo Olympics be smoking-free?
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 18, 2017

Trump's attacks on GOP lawmakers could leave him friendless if impeachment comes

President Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on Republican senators, an approach he may regret if he is someday impeached and the Senate has to weigh charges against him stemming from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / CABINET INTERVIEW 2017
Aug 7, 2017

New defense chief Onodera suggests Japan should consider acquiring ability to strike North Korean missile bases

Courting controversy, Japan's new defense chief says the ability to strike North Korean missile bases might be pursued by the Self-Defense Forces.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Aug 7, 2017

Let's discuss Japan's life expectancy records

This week's featured article
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Aug 7, 2017

Japan's shrinking rural population poses a dilemma for democracy

Deep in the Shikoku wilderness, along a steep winding road above a dark green river, sits the tiny village of Okawa. It's located in a region sometimes dubbed by enthusiastic travel writers as the "Tibet of Japan" for its comparative isolation within the mountains.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Aug 6, 2017

Reviving Japan's old shopping arcades

As everyone knows, Japan has an unmanageable surplus of vacant housing. According to the latest government surveys there are more than 8 million unoccupied houses and apartment units in Japan and that number will increase to the point where one in four or five residences will be empty by 2030.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 5, 2017

Parsing gender stereotypes in Japan's media landscape

Tomomi Inada's resignation as defense minister ended a tenure that often made reporters wonder if her transgressions had more to do with ignorance than with incompetence. It would be wrong to associate her failures with her sex, though there were some in the media who harped on her fashion sense or supposed...
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 3, 2017

Kishida named LDP policy chief, freeing him to run against Abe for party presidency next year

Move appears to be compromise, bringing former foreign minister one step closer to his widely rumored bid to lead Japan.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Jul 31, 2017

Japanese treat themselves on annual eel-eating day

July 25 marked a traditional eel-eating 'Doyo no Ushi no Hi,' or the Day of the Ox.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 31, 2017

Loopholes let records pertaining to Abe's scandals slip through the cracks

The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in crisis, stung by scandals that have bitten into his public approval ratings in recent weeks.

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan