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Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 12, 2014

EU moves cautiously to raise pressure on Russia over Ukraine crisis

The European Union is set to step up pressure on Russia on Monday by taking a first cautious step toward extending sanctions on companies, as well as people, linked to Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
WORLD
May 11, 2014

Suicide bomber kills six soldiers in latest Yemen violence

A suicide car bomber killed 10 Yemeni army officers, one civilian and wounded many others Sunday after targeting a military police building in the southern coastal city of Mukallah, a local security official said.
WORLD / Politics
May 10, 2014

Merkel, Hollande ready for further sanctions against Russia

Germany and France are ready to agree more extensive sanctions against Russia if a planned presidential election in Ukraine on May 25 is foiled, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande said on Saturday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 10, 2014

Kiev to east Ukraine: Rebel vote for self-rule would be catastrophe

Ukrainian acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told eastern regions gripped by a pro-Russian uprising that they would be courting catastrophe if they voted "yes" in a separatist referendum on Sunday.
JAPAN / History
May 10, 2014

Going nuclear: How close has Japan come?

We examine the historical debate on the country's nuclear ambitions
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
May 10, 2014

The Sewol tragedy: for whom the bell tolls

South Korea is a nation in mourning, sharing the unfathomable grief of parents who lost their teenage children on what should have been a festive school trip. It is a nation experiencing collective depression, where many are tormented by the heartbreaking and endless grim news about the students who...
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
May 10, 2014

Gatlin urges Kiryu to believe in his ability

Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin has told Japanese sprinters that posting a sub-10-second mark is a feat, but ultimately not difficult to achieve.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
May 9, 2014

Yen may soar if BOJ misses inflation goal

The Bank of Japan's failure to achieve its inflation target will see the yen rebound to its highest since 2012, reversing the results of its unprecedented stimulus, according to Tokai Tokyo Securities Co.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 9, 2014

Japan should treat test scores with discretion

Although the education ministry's decision to allow local boards of education in Japan to make public the results of achievement tests for individual schools appeals to those who are frustrated by what they perceive as a lowering of standards, the tests are far too unstable to be considered reliable or fair.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 9, 2014

Ukraine rebels ignore Putin call to delay self-rule vote

Pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine ignored a public call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone a referendum on self-rule, declaring they would go ahead on Sunday with a vote that could lead to war.
Japan Times
WORLD / EU SPECIAL 2014
May 9, 2014

EU continues commitment to security and peace

The European Union is now at its most critical stage ever. It is facing what European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has called "a disgrace in the 21st century."
Japan Times
WORLD / EU SPECIAL 2014
May 9, 2014

EU logos aim to ensure food quality

The European Union participated in the 39th International Food and Beverage Exhibition, known as Foodex Japan, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, from March 4 to 7. The European contingent was there to introduce and promote a variety of high-quality European food and beverage products carrying special...
JAPAN
May 8, 2014

Riken stands behind STAP paper probe

The Riken institute states that it will not reopen its probe into the so-called STAP cell papers, leaving biologist Haruko Obokata guilty of research misconduct.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 8, 2014

Toyota eclipses 2007 profit record

Toyota posts a record group operating profit of ¥2.29 trillion for 2013, breaking the previous record of ¥2.27 trillion set before the global financial crisis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 7, 2014

Abe strengthens ties with NATO

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, concerned about China's military spending and the Senkakus dispute, forges a new partnership agreement with NATO.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 7, 2014

Tensions high as South China Sea disputes boil over

China has demanded the Philippines release a Chinese fishing boat and its crew seized in the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday, the latest flare-up in the oil and gas-rich waters that are claimed wholly or in part by six nations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 7, 2014

SoftBank tops archrival Docomo for first time on record profit

Amid growing smartphone sales and a raft of acquisitions, SoftBank Corp. has announced that its group operating profit hit a record ¥1.08 trillion, and its net profit an all-time high of ¥527 billion in fiscal 2013, surpassing rival NTT Docomo Inc. for the first time.
Reader Mail
May 7, 2014

NHK failing its public mission

Regarding the May 3 article "Viewers target NHK chief Momii": This charade has been going on too long for the good of the nation. If NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii is reluctant to resign to resolve the problem that he created in the first place, and continues to cling to his benefactor — currently the...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 7, 2014

Republicans dredge up Benghazi controversy in bid for election-year ammo

Benghazi is back.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 7, 2014

NATO commander says permanent troops in Eastern Europe possible

NATO will have to consider permanently stationing troops in parts of Eastern Europe as a result of the increased tension between Russia and Ukraine, the alliance's top military commander said Tuesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
May 6, 2014

'X-Men' director Bryan Singer sued in second teen sex abuse case

A British man who accuses "X-Men" director Bryan Singer of sexually abusing him as a teenager was spurred to bring a lawsuit against the filmmaker after Singer was sued by another man on similar allegations, the plaintiff's lawyer said Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2014

Malaysia's jet, Korea's ferry tell larger stories

Tragedy has struck Malaysia and South Korea in recent weeks, with the travails of searching for a lost airliner and of recovering bodies from a sunken ferry played out in horrifying detail on the world's TV screens. Unlike Malaysia, though, South Korea is likely to come out of its crisis stronger than ever.
EDITORIALS
May 4, 2014

The U.S. balancing act in Asia

U.S. President Barack Obama sailed rough waters during his recent trip through four Asian countries, trying to reaffirm Washington's security commitments in the region without antagonizing Beijing.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
May 4, 2014

Kikokushijo: returnees to a country not yet ready for them

Though the number of returnee students has tripled since 1977, and despite the recent government push to develop 'global human resources,' the existence of this group of globally educated young people has been largely ignored by policymakers.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
May 3, 2014

Ako: trailing the ghosts of Japan's greatest vendetta

By noon of March 14, 1701, Edo was abuzz with rumors about what had happened earlier, in the "Great Pine Corridor" of the shogun's castle. Officials posted wooden signs around the city stating that Asano Naganori, lord of Ako Domain, had attacked and wounded his former tutor, Kira Yoshihisa.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 3, 2014

Pop star gaffes no sweat to Cool Japan

Whatever you want to say about Justin Bieber's lack of common sense, as either a pop star or a mortal, you have to admit he has incredible timing. He managed to capture the attention of the world with his impromptu visit to Yasukuni Shrine by posting photos of it the day after more than 100 Japanese...

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