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WORLD / Society
Jan 23, 2015

Russian patriarch says halving abortions would solve population crisis

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Thursday called for a deep cut in the "horrifyingly high" number of abortions, which he linked to a Western rejection of moral norms.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jan 22, 2015

Spectacular Cahill kicks Australia past China

Tim Cahill came to Australia's rescue again on Thursday, scoring two goals, one of them among the most spectacular ever seen at an Asian Cup, to lead the host-nation into the semifinals.
COMMENTARY
Jan 22, 2015

Punch from the pope when the cause is right

At least U.S. President Barack Obama — and Pope Francis — had the good sense to dodge world leaders' little pantomime of defiance in the streets of Paris after the Charlie Hebdo killings.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 22, 2015

In Obama snub, Boehner asks Netanyahu to address Congress mulling Iran bill

House Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress next month as lawmakers weigh legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jan 21, 2015

Japan gathering steam as Asian Cup gets down to business

There is certainly room for improvement as Japan takes the defense of its Asian Cup title into the quarterfinals on Friday, but the way the team has improved with each performance so far in Australia suggests the best is yet to come.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015

Jemaine Clement: Bloodsucking and bored at the end of the world

The newest vampire movie to take film festivals by storm, "What We Do in the Shadows," is the work of two New Zealanders: actor Jemaine Clement ("Flight of the Conchords") and actor/director Taika Waititi ("Boy"). Together they wrote, directed and star in a movie that was made on a small budget — "a...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015

Sayonara Kabukicho: Life and love in Shinjuku's red-light district

Ryuichi Hiroki has become a victim of his own success, though his studio employers probably don't see it that way. This one-time maker of so-called pink films (i.e., soft pornography), who became internationally celebrated for intimate indie dramas like "Vibrator" from 2003 and "Yawarakai Seikatsu (It's...
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2015

Japanese Muslims condemn Islamic State threat; some fear damage to Islam's image

Some assailed the threat issued in a video posted online as an “unforgiveable” act of cruelty, and said the hostage-takers were unworthy of calling themselves Muslims.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 21, 2015

Remembering and learning from the Kobe quake

Cooperation in disaster relief efforts have helped strengthen ties between Japan and the United States.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015

What We Do in the Shadows: 'straight-to-camera confessionals intercut with savage bouts of feasting on human blood'

Shortly after the first weekend that box-office returns came in for "Twilight," a swarm of studio suits rushed to their BlackBerrys and proceeded to greenlight every vampire-related script they could find buried under the cobwebs. Six years on, we've been deluged by more undead movies and TV series that...
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Transitioning from spectator to participant at Davos meeting

The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is underway in Davos-Klosters in Switzerland from Jan. 21. The theme of this year's meeting is "The New Global Context" for decision making.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2015

Islamic State threatens to kill two Japanese hostages

In an online video, the Islamic State group threatens to kill two Japanese citizens unless Tokyo pays a ransom of $200 million within 72 hours.
COMMENTARY
Jan 20, 2015

Why Abe's third arrow flopped

Japan's deflation can now be attributed to stagnant demand in the domestic market and to stagnation in technological innovation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY
Jan 19, 2015

Magic moments of noncompetitive surfing

Many of the highlights of surfing have more to do with experiencing the splendor and power of the waves than with the competitive ability to ride them.
COMMENTARY
Jan 19, 2015

Charlie and the anti-Muslim media factory

If European Muslims are expected to identify with their citizenships and other secular identities, then their fellow Europeans should not categorize them by their religious identity.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2015

Mystery deaths afflicting tuna at Tokyo aquarium

The Tokyo Sea Life Park, renowned for its breeding program, had 165 bluefin tuna, kawakawa and striped bonito on display. On Monday it had just 11.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jan 19, 2015

Japan's liquidity trap holds warning for ECB: Japan Credit

Investors who predict the European Central Bank will start buying government bonds this week to fight deflation shouldn't expect too much if Japan is any guide.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Jan 18, 2015

Lady's man: a cat named Senryu

This big fellow lives life on his terms, but a lady is what he needs — a single lady who's committed to standing by his side to the end.
EDITORIALS
Jan 18, 2015

Rajapaksa's surprise

While the new president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, says he wants to build a nation based on Buddhist principles of nonviolence and compassion, it is not clear if he is prepared to investigate charges that war crimes were committed during the 26-year-long civil war with the Tamil Tigers.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society / FOCUS
Jan 18, 2015

Paris killings leave France troubled by 30 years of failure with immigrants

Latifa Ibn Ziaten knows a thing or two about terrorism.
COMMENTARY / World / COUNTERPOINT
Jan 17, 2015

Sri Lanka votes against fear and kleptocracy

The stunning ouster of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Jan. 8 was good news for that island nation of 20 million, and further evidence of a universal yearning for good governance.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 17, 2015

Five key questions as 2015 NPB season approaches

With just two weeks to go until spring training camps open for the 12 Japanese pro baseball teams, here are five things to look for during the 2015 season:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 16, 2015

Mt. Gox chief was thought by U.S. to be Silk Road mastermind

The former head of the bankrupt Mt. Gox Co. bitcoin exchange was originally believed by U.S. investigators to be the secret mastermind behind the Silk Road online drug marketplace, an agent who infiltrated the website told jurors at the trial of the man prosecutors now accuse of running it.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2015

Charlie Hebdo horror revives fears in Israel

The Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris and the hostage scene in the kosher market — the image of frightened European Jews hiding in a freezer — were for many Israelis a haunting reminder of Jews hiding from Nazis.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / ON: TECH
Jan 16, 2015

The latest gadgetry of convenience

Michi nails it

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