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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 12, 2014

Ishikawa aims to become first openly gay member of Lower House

Openly gay politician Taiga Ishikawa says that winning a Diet seat in Sunday's election would empower him to change politics and help Japanese society recognize its diversity.
COMMENTARY
Dec 5, 2014

The pope has a point in denouncing materialism

Pope Francis finds himself ranged against a pitilessly Darwinian outlook in Europe, which, maintained by self-interested political and business elites, seems to go unexamined by apathetic voters.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 2, 2014

Another low for Japan's gender gap, as only 15% of election candidates are female

So much for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's call to empower women.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2014

Putin makes a big bet on the French far right

A large Russian loan to Marine Le Pen's far-right party is one more reason for France's mainstream parties to get their act together and keep the National Front from making it big.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Nov 24, 2014

Long-term African expats and new migrants alike face growing 'integration gap' in Japan

With dysfunctional Japanese immigration policies having led to a sharp increase in incarceration rates among African immigrants, a growing number have given up on integration in favor of living a double life: married with children in both Japan and Africa.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 19, 2014

Abe's snap election claims first victim as Your Party disbands

An opposition party once seen as a possible third force in Japanese politics has decided to disband ahead of next month's snap election.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 18, 2014

China's regional vision gathers momentum

Few welcome Beijing as the Middle Kingdom, but many must recognize that China is increasingly the region's central economy.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 16, 2014

In Iraq, Iranian masters behind feared Shiite militias

Among the thousands of militia fighters who flocked to northern Iraq to battle the extremist Islamic State group over the summer was Qais al-Khazali.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Nov 7, 2014

Readers' letters: carrying ID, subway 'saviors,' JA rackets, Taiji alternatives and goats

A selection of emails received in response to recent Community articles.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Oct 29, 2014

Kansai: Who would you like to see replace the scandal-hit female ministers who quit?

Views from Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo Prefecture about who, in an ideal world, should have been given the jobs vacated by two female ministers on Oct. 20.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 16, 2014

China likely set to expel disgraced security chief from party

China's disgraced former domestic security chief, Zhou Yongkang, looks set to be expelled from the ruling Communist Party at a key meeting next week, sources said, possibly paving the way for his formal prosecution.
JAPAN / History / IMPERIAL ANNALS
Oct 11, 2014

Selective history: Hirohito's chronicles

Between July 30 and Aug. 2, 1945, when most of Japan's cities, including Tokyo, lay in smoldering ruins from U.S. aerial bombing and Hiroshima and Nagasaki were days away from being incinerated by American nuclear weapons, Emperor Hirohito sent an envoy to several Shinto shrines to pray for the "crushing...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 5, 2014

Hit to Hong Kong's economy spurs opposition to Occupy Central protests

A week into Hong Kong demonstrations notable for their order and endurance, protesters came under an attack highlighting the fault lines of a city torn between commercial interests and a desire for greater democracy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 3, 2014

Could Obuchi become Japan's first female prime minister?

With a telegenic presence, powerful ruling party mentors and a talent for avoiding making political enemies, new trade and industry minister Yuko Obuchi may have what it takes to become the country's first female prime minister.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Oct 2, 2014

Saudi Arabia fears Yemen tumult may boost its main foe Iran

The capture of Yemen's capital by rebels with ties to Iran has jolted Saudi Arabia, prompting a scramble by Riyadh to prevent its Shiite Muslim rival from exploiting the takeover to make trouble in the kingdom's backyard.
EDITORIALS
Oct 1, 2014

The achievements of Takako Doi

People who respect the ideals of Takako Doi, the former head of the Social Democratic Party who died last month at 85, have a lot to learn from what she achieved and what she could not achieve in Japanese politics,
EDITORIALS
Sep 27, 2014

Earth on track for hottest year

2014 could turn out to be the hottest year on Earth since weather record-keeping began, yet getting countries to act together in reducing carbon emissions remains a hard sell.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 23, 2014

Disaffected have their say, but will Westminster listen?

The dilemma for Britain's political leaders is how to build on the public engagement generated by Scotland's referendum without rushing into ill-conceived reforms that create more problems than they solve.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 21, 2014

Thai junta hounds opposition across borders

Even as the Thai junta claims to promote democracy despite having overthrown the previous elected government, its representatives hound anti-coup groups in Thai neighborhoods across borders.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 20, 2014

Abe's female Cabinet picks warrant a closer look

In a Sept. 5 Twitter post, university instructor Akiko Orita pointed out that four of the five women appointed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to his new Cabinet do not use their legal names. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Sanae Takaichi, state minister in charge of abduction issues Eriko...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Sep 20, 2014

Backlash fears after Scottish vote

Scotland's "no" to independence may have saved British Prime Minister David Cameron his job, but sweeping pledges of a constitutional shake-up could undermine his re-election drive and trigger more political instability.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 19, 2014

Japan's expatriate Scots express relief, regret at vote outcome

Scots and other British citizens living in Japan express emotions ranging from disappointment to relief as voters in Scotland reject the offer of an independent state.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 16, 2014

Did Hamas emerge victorious in the latest war?

This summer's war in Gaza shook the status quo by making Israel look worse and by breathing life back into Hamas. It did not, however, resolve any part of the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 16, 2014

Gordon Brown wrestles with Scotland's fate ahead of referendum

Once mocked for claiming to have saved the world after the 2008 financial crisis, former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown may now have the fate of Scotland in his hands.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 8, 2014

Latinos furious at Obama on immigration delay, vow more pressure

Hispanic lawmakers and immigration advocates harshly criticized President Barack Obama's decision to delay executive action on immigration and vowed to keep pressuring him to make bold changes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 3, 2014

No

In 1988, Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, who came to power in a bloody coup in 1973, decided to hold a national referendum — a simple yes or no vote — on whether he should extend his rule by eight years. It was supposed to be an exercise in sham democracy to stem international criticism and legitimize...
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 2, 2014

Joint resource development in South China Sea

Shared development of oil, gas and possibly other natural resources is the most promising option for reducing tensions in the South China Sea and should be the focus of efforts to improve diplomatic relations between China and its coastal neighbors.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 29, 2014

Three timelines shaping Mideast developments

To shape an effective strategy in the Middle East, it is essential to understand three distinct timelines that are shaping developments: the short-term timeline of daily struggles, the medium-term timeline of geopolitical shifts, and the long-term timeline of sociocultural transformation.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 20, 2014

Debate on foreigner voting rights reignites ahead of 2020 Olympics

The debate over voting rights for non-Japanese residents is flaring up again, amid a drive to attract more foreign workers ahead of the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020.
JAPAN / ASHIDA'S WAR DIARY
Aug 17, 2014

The realist behind the idealist Constitution

A mystery surrounding late Prime Minister Hitoshi Ashida was his postwar call for Japan to re-militarize despite constitutional limits imposed by war-renouncing Article 9.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years