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COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2019

Which Tiananmen narrative is true?

There is little doubt about the Beijing spring of 1989 that called for greater openness, freedoms and democracy in China, or about its suppression. But there is a counter-narrative that receives no mention in the China-bashing mainstream media.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2019

Today's U.S.-China clash began at Tiananmen Square

Ever since the massacre, Beijing has pushed authoritarianism at home and abroad.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jun 6, 2019

Japan holds its own debate on Modern Monetary Theory

The hottest economic doctrine around says governments should stop worrying and learn to love their public debt. Japan has been more relaxed than most — but a looming tax hike suggests it may be about to blink.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jun 6, 2019

NeoPhoenix turn to veteran coach Brian Rowsom in quest to make playoffs

The San-en NeoPhoenix's victory total has decreased in each season of the B. League era.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 6, 2019

Mitsubishi weighs buying Bombardier's regional-jet unit

Bombardier Inc. is in talks to sell its CRJ regional jet program to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., a move that would end the Canadian industrial champion's involvement in commercial aircraft.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 6, 2019

Airbnb listings in Japan rebound after regulatory freeze

Airbnb Inc. says it's back in business in Japan, a year after stricter short-term lodging regulations forced it to freeze a major portion of its listings in the country.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Jun 6, 2019

Japan's king of comedy, Yoshimoto Kogyo's Hiroshi Osaki, expands his realm

It has been 10 years since Hiroshi Osaki took the reins at Yoshimoto Kogyo, and in that time Japan's oldest and arguably most influential entertainment agency has veered down several different paths. While comedy remains at the forefront of the company's activities, as it has for over a century, these...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 6, 2019

Chiba loquat grower loves his work, but frets over the future of the biwa business

Kenzo Takeba picks a loquat out of his basket, unwraps it from its paper cover and expertly begins to peel off the delicate orange skin with his fingers.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jun 6, 2019

Japanese, Italian, Korean? I'm all of these

One question I have always found difficult is, "Where are you from?" While most people I meet are able to answer it with a single word — Japan, England, India — for me the answer is a lot more complicated.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 6, 2019

Speculation grows in Japan that Diet session will be extended to enable double election

Speculation within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party over a possible extension of the current regular Diet session, a move that could result in a double election this summer, has grown ahead of the scheduled end of the 150-day session on June 26.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jun 6, 2019

Ai-Da, the humanoid robot artist, gears up for first solo exhibition in Oxford

Wearing a white blouse and her dark hair hanging loose, Ai-Da looks like any artist at work as she studies her subject and puts pencil to paper. But the beeping from her bionic arm gives her away — Ai-Da is a robot.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 6, 2019

Trump adviser and leading GOP senator both say Mexico tariffs might not happen

A White House trade adviser and a leading Republican senator said on Wednesday that a U.S. plan to impose tariffs on Mexican goods might not go into effect, offering hope for Mexico and American businesses concerned about economic damage from a new front in President Donald Trump's trade wars.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jun 6, 2019

Embattled actor Jussie Smollett apparently dropped from 'Empire'

Jussie Smollett will not be returning to U.S. television series "Empire," the show's creator says, marking the first public confirmation that the actor has been dropped after a furor over claims that he was the victim of a hate crime.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 6, 2019

As he arrives, Trump says Brexit will be fine for Ireland

Donald Trump, arriving in Ireland for the first time as U.S. president on Wednesday, sought to reassure the country that Britain's exit from the European Union would work out fine for its near neighbor.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 6, 2019

U.S. preparing to sell over $2 billion in arms to Taiwan, testing China, say sources

The United States is pursuing the sale of more than $2 billion worth of tanks and weapons to Taiwan, four people familiar with the negotiations said, in a move likely to anger China as a trade war between the world's two biggest economies escalates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 6, 2019

Bernie Sanders accuses Walmart of paying 'starvation wages'

Democratic U.S. presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Wednesday told Walmart Inc. shareholders and top executives that the world's largest retailer should boost the "starvation"-level wages it pays its workers and stop fueling income inequality.
WORLD / Society
Jun 6, 2019

Almost 400 migrants rescued from Mediterranean by Malta

Malta's armed forces rescued nearly 400 migrants in four separate sea operations on Wednesday and brought them all ashore to the small Mediterranean island, the military said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 5, 2019

Toyota says U.S. tariffs on Mexico could cost its suppliers $1 billion

Toyota said U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to slap tariffs on Mexican-made goods could cost its major suppliers $1 billion, highlighting growing concern in the U.S. auto sector.
EDITORIALS
Jun 5, 2019

Sharp discussions at the Shangri-la Dialogue

As expected, China figures prominently at Asian security meeting.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2019

Religion, intolerance and political blowback

Identity politics is reshaping electoral contests as cultural nationalists push back against the perceived excesses of social progressives.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 5, 2019

Security in 'Society 5.0'

As Japan moves toward Society 5.0, there is a need for a much more transparent accounting of the possible downsides surrounding this transition, and further consideration of how some of the risks can be minimized.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 5, 2019

Takefusa Kubo's pathway to Europe coming into focus

I last wrote about FC Tokyo midfielder Takefusa Kubo in this column a little over three months ago, reflecting on his impressive performance against reigning champion Kawasaki Frontale on the J. League's opening day.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Jun 5, 2019

Episode 16: Hiro Iwamoto — the blind man who sailed the Pacific

In April, Hiro Iwamoto became the first blind man to sail the Pacific nonstop. In this episode, Hiro and his crew mate, Doug Smith, join Oscar Boyd to talk about their voyage.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jun 5, 2019

From enlightened strolls to 10,000-step goals: How Japan learned to walk the walk

Whatever intriguing cultural differences we may have as human beings, it would appear that there are certain fundamentals that remain the same wherever you go — eating, sleeping and walking, for example.

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