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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2022

New COVID-19 variants complicate the question of vaccine mandates

Officials mulling new pandemic policies need to know how quickly vaccine protection wanes. But scientists don't have a clear answer.
Special Supplements / Ainu language special
Feb 21, 2022

Respected comic book spurs hope for indigenous tongue

In 2009, UNESCO in its “Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger” designated the Ainu language as being critically endangered. As the most dire of the five categories — only extinct is worse — used in the report, it highlighted the precarious state that had befallen the language.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 19, 2022

Unmasking in U.S. comes too soon for some still wary of COVID’s wiles

U.S. states are dropping masking requirements and federal officials say COVID-19 is moving out of the crisis phase, but many people say that for them, the emergency continues.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 18, 2022

With omicron as a ‘golden ticket,’ American travel fears fade

Two years into the pandemic, American travelers are generally less concerned about getting sick than getting stuck, according to travel agents.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 18, 2022

Thought to be a success story, South Korea is forced to alter its COVID approach

The government will shift to dedicating its monitoring efforts to high-risk patients who are staying at home, supplying them with at-home treatment kits.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 18, 2022

‘Zero-click’ hacks are growing in popularity. There’s practically no way to stop them.

Once the preserve of a few intelligence agencies, the technology needed for zero-click hacks is now being sold to governments by a select group of companies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2022

It's official: Japan eases entry restrictions for foreign students, business travelers and other nontourists

The move comes amid growing concerns over economic and reputational costs, and as Kishida indicates exiting the sixth wave.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Feb 17, 2022

Hong Kong can’t live with the virus. It can’t stop it, either.

With hospital beds on sidewalks and testing lines winding through parks, the city's flailing response has exposed crucial weaknesses.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 15, 2022

‘We need to oppose Russia’: Ukrainians find common purpose

Across the country, Lenin statues and hammer-and-sickle emblems of the Soviet past have been toppled, replaced by monuments to Ukrainians killed in the 2014 uprising.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 15, 2022

Denmark, overflowing with virus cases, embraces a ‘bring it on’ attitude

The government said this month it would no longer consider COVID-19 a 'socially critical disease” and dropped all restrictions, including a mask mandate in closed spaces.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 14, 2022

Here’s what the pandemic has in store for the world next

As a virus-weary world limps through the third year of the outbreak, experts warn that omicron won't be the last variant we have to contend with.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 10, 2022

TikTok tightens rules to bar transphobic behavior

TikTok's explosive growth has made it a vital platform for teens and young people, putting its guidelines under increasing scrutiny.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Feb 9, 2022

Raging river: Tracing the Arakawa, Japan’s most dangerous water source

While supplying Tokyoites with drinking water, the river has also been prone to deadly floods over the centuries — risks that are now being escalated by climate change.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 8, 2022

The tsunami could kill thousands. Can they build an escape?

Along many stretches of the Northwest coast of the U.S., there are no bluffs or high buildings to climb — nowhere to go.
OLYMPICS
Feb 6, 2022

Meet the 'fanyus,' the passionate yet chaotic force behind Yuzuru Hanyu

The two-time Olympic champion's fandom, which spans borders, cultures and generations, is one of figure skating's most passionate — and polarizing.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 3, 2022

As forest threats loom, Amazon guardians organize as 'minigovernments'

The indigenous council CITMA and four other indigenous territories have been granted government recognition, covering about 25,000 people living in three Amazon provinces.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Feb 3, 2022

Passport to acceptance? LGBTQ travelers wary about gender-neutral IDs.

While more than a dozen countries have introduced gender-neutral travel documents, some nonbinary and transgender people are reluctant to use them because they fear facing discrimination.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 3, 2022

Japan's ¥100 trillion cryptocurrency market may ease onerous listing rules

Under new rules the industry's self-regulatory body is weighing, crypto-exchanges would be allowed to list more than a dozen coins in one go without a lengthy screening process.
JAPAN / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
Feb 2, 2022

What you need to know about recovering from COVID-19 at home

To lower the burden on health care systems, the rules for self-isolation are changing — here's a rundown of the latest from the health ministry.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Feb 2, 2022

Coups cheered in West Africa as Islamist insurgencies sap faith in democracy

The failure of elected government to contain growing militant violence over the last decade has led to widespread disenchantment with democracy in the region.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 1, 2022

COVID’s new divide: risk takers vs. the risk averse

In Italy, with its high vaccination rate, the social schism revolves less around who's gotten a shot, and more around lifestyles and comfort levels of living with the coronavirus.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 31, 2022

Hong Kong's 'COVID-zero' strategy is on the brink of collapse

Officials instead are pursuing what they call 'Dynamic Zero,” an approach that emerged from China and aims to work toward no new infections while acknowledging some may still occur.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Jan 31, 2022

Hokkaido towns seek coexistence with foreign workers

Municipalities are coming up with ideas to welcome newcomers as members of communities while also trying to stop young people from leaving their hometowns.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 29, 2022

A year after Myanmar coup, families of detainees search for answers

Activists and families say many have disappeared since Myanmar was plunged into turmoil after the military overthrew the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 29, 2022

Five African countries. Six coups. Why now?

While a number of nations have recently experienced military takeovers — most plagued by insecurity, poor governance and frustrated youth — there's no one-size-fits-all explanation.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 29, 2022

Yu Shibuya: ‘Creating something from nothing requires a huge effort’

Yu Shibuya made the decision early on in his life to “rescue” modern Japanese culture from crass commercialism. He chose the theater as his weapon.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 22, 2022

China holds the line on ‘COVID zero,’ but some wonder for how long

At least 20 million people were under full lockdown as recently as last week, and many more cities across the country have been subjected to partial lockdowns and mass testing.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 21, 2022

The plans for the world’s next largest city are incomplete

Delhi's new draft Master Plan for 2041 envisions a megacity with tall buildings, affordable housing and ample green space, but inequity, corruption and shortsightedness complicate matters.
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2022

Anti-COVID steps far from uniform for Japan prefectures under quasi-emergency

Of the 16 prefectures to be under a quasi-emergency from Friday, some will halt alcohol sales at restaurants completely, while others will impose limits on when booze can be served.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji