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Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 26, 2019

Do whatever it takes: How Khamenei ordered crackdown on Iranian unrest

After days of protests across Iran last month, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared impatient. Gathering his top security and government officials together, he issued an order: Do whatever it takes to stop them.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 26, 2019

U.S. drops demand for fivefold hike in South Korea troop-funding bill, report says

Days before a troop-funding deal was set to expire, the U.S. has dropped its demand that South Korea pay five times more to host its military personnel after receiving assurances Seoul would purchase more American weapons, a newspaper report said.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2019 in Review
Dec 26, 2019

The dawn of a new era and a change in J-pop

2019 brought changes to Japan's pop scene, including established acts finally embracing the internet as a way of reaching fans
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2019 in Review
Dec 26, 2019

2019 served as a reminder of the importance of community in music

As music scenes fragmented, the year showed a renewal in community events for alternative music in Japan, with festivals and gigs taking to new venues and battling the weather
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 26, 2019

Turkey-Libya maritime EEZ deal rattles eastern Mediterranean

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a surprise visit to Tunisia on Wednesday to discuss cooperation for a possible cease-fire in neighboring Libya, where Ankara supports the internationally recognized government.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 25, 2019

Taiwan president urges more talks on contested China 'infiltration' bill

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urged parliament on Wednesday to have more discussion on a proposed anti-infiltration bill that the government says is needed to combat Chinese influence and has been condemned by the main opposition and Beijing.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 25, 2019

JSA needs to look outward for good of sumo

Whatever hopes fans had for a peaceful end to the year were dashed when Japan Sumo Association officials instructed Takagenji to take part in his regularly scheduled bout on Dec. 11 despite the wrestler being diagnosed with influenza earlier in the day.
Japan Times
Rugby
Dec 25, 2019

Leitch wants to make sure rugby's current popularity remains high

Since the staging of a successful Rugby World Cup this year, the popularity of the game has been at an all-time high in Japan. This, however, wasn't an entirely new experience for star Michael Leitch and some of his Brave Blossoms teammates.
Rugby / Coach's Eye
Dec 25, 2019

Japan exceeded all expectations at 'magnificent' RWC

I thought the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan was a magnificent tournament. It was extremely well organized, with great participation by the host country. Financially and in terms of participation, it was the most successful World Cup there has been.
EDITORIALS
Dec 25, 2019

Take steps to ensure payment of child support

Japan is woefully lacking of a system that ensures divorced parents pay their court-designated child support.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 25, 2019

Big history helps understand today's issues

A sweeping study of historical data yields fascinating revelations about the past, present and future.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 25, 2019

Masayoshi Son: Tech visionary or robber baron?

We're coming to realize that the SoftBank founder is less a business guru than a 19th-century capitalist.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 25, 2019

100,000 who fled Sri Lankan war can't get Indian citizenship under new law

Nearly 100,000 Sri Lankan refugees who are living in India are not eligible for citizenship under a new law, sparking concerns that they may be forced to return to the island nation they fled during a decadeslong civil war, many with no homes to return to.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 25, 2019

Three Japan Post Group leaders expected to resign over insurance sales scandal

Japan Post Holdings is expected to convene a meeting to discuss the resignations and successor candidates Friday. Former internal affairs minister Hiroya Masuda may replace Masatsugu Nagato as president.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 25, 2019

Survey reveals worry over Japan's tougher rules on foreign investment

A private survey has found that nearly 90 percent of institutional investors are worried about the possible negative effects of a law revision that tightens restrictions on foreign investment.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / 2019 in Review
Dec 25, 2019

2019 brought both tragedy and triumph to Japan's anime industry

While the anime world was rocked by a fatal arson attack at the studios of Kyoto Animation, a diverse range of new films and series gave the year a creative boost.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 2019 in Review
Dec 25, 2019

Netflix led the streaming race with original Japanese content in 2019

The battle of the streaming giants saw some first class productions on offer in 2019, from original anime series, Japanese exclusives and fresh takes on established franchises.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 25, 2019

Two strong quakes shake central Colombia; no damage reported

Two strong earthquakes, of magnitude 6.2 and magnitude 5.7, struck central Colombia on Tuesday, the Colombian Geological Service said, but there were no immediate reports of any injuries or major damage.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 25, 2019

New Boeing CEO David Calhoun is hardened corporate crisis manager

Beleaguered Boeing Co. is putting its future in the hands of a turnaround veteran who has led several companies in crisis, cut his teeth at engine maker General Electric Co. and has spent a decade on the board of the world's largest plane-maker.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2019

New Boeing 737 Max documents show 'very disturbing' employee concerns: U.S. House aide

Boeing Co. documents now under review by a U.S. government committee appear to point to a "very disturbing" picture of commentary from the plane-maker's employees over the grounded 737 Max aircraft, a House of Representatives transportation infrastructure committee aide said on Tuesday.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past