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JAPAN / History / JAPAN TIMES GONE BY
Feb 19, 2012

Chinese emperor abdicates, Italians to preserve hara-kiri site, Tokyo's population hits 10 million, Japan supports space station

100 YEARS AGOWednesday, Feb. 14, 1912
Reader Mail
Feb 19, 2012

Enough government lip service

I agree with Patricia Yarrow's Feb. 12 letter, "Shaky will to reduce smoking" — about lowering cigarette consumption in Japan, which has an obscenely high smoking rate, especially among men.
Reader Mail
Feb 19, 2012

Explaining things to Okinawans

I write in response to a Japanese newspaper's editorial view that the outcome of last Sunday's Ginowan mayoral election in Okinawa Prefecture should serve as a springboard to ensure that U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is relocated to the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Feb 19, 2012

An ode to Japan's magnificent Sika Deer

Deep powdery snow is to a Sika Deer what a stage covered with fluffy feather pillows would be to a top-ranking ballerina. Both lead to loss of grace and floundering, for slim-footed deer and ballerina alike.
EDITORIALS
Feb 19, 2012

Sad state of global employment

The employment situation is worsening around the world, according to a report by the United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO). The report highlighted the disastrous effects of the global downturn on workers. Unemployment remains high around the world.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Feb 18, 2012

Fiscal ills not DPJ's doing but it's holding the bag

The tax and social security reform outline adopted by the Cabinet on Friday indicate the government has run out of options and must finally address welfare costs and public finances that have been spiralling out of control for years.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Feb 18, 2012

Learning a foreign language: blood, sweat and beers

A recent education ministry survey evaluated Japanese "third-year middle school students" on their attitudes toward learning English. One editorial indicated that the results of the survey showed that students nationwide had an "ambivalent and contradictory attitude toward English." Wow, imagine 14-year-olds...
BASKETBALL
Feb 18, 2012

Search on for new coach after JBA drops Wisman

After less than two years in charge, Thomas Wisman's ouster on Wednesday by the Japan Basketball Association was expected by those who pay attention.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Feb 17, 2012

Shimura steps up as Sendai stays on course for playoffs

It's a bye week for the Sendai 89ers, and the perfect time to take stock of their season through 32 games.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Feb 17, 2012

Yokohama event to become meeting place for performing artists

The performing arts are taking over Kanagawa Prefecture's capital for a weeklong event called TPAM in Yokohama. The event hopes to foster an atmosphere where participating artists can interact with one another to exchange ideas and network.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 17, 2012

'In Time' / 'Carnage'

Try to imagine a future where the super-rich live in gated, patrolled fortress-communities, completely isolated from the short, brutish lives of the underclass who must toil or die, just a paycheck away from having their life-force literally terminated by the powers that be. No, it's not America under...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 17, 2012

'Water for Elephants'

What is it about Robert Pattinson that makes him slightly annoying? Despite his 18-carat movie-star status built on his vampire role in the "Twilight" series, despite the rumor that he's slated as the next Brad Pitt (er, really?) and has the lanky, boyish charm to back it up, Pattinson remains several...
Reader Mail
Feb 16, 2012

Health threat from cesium-137

Regarding the Feb. 14 article reprinted from Sentaku magazine, "Put children before politics": Thank you for endorsing this idea. I would like to comment on one aspect of the article regarding cesium-137, which makes up 40 percent of the long-lived radionuclides created by nuclear power plants.
Reader Mail
Feb 16, 2012

Japan remains the best choice

Regarding the Feb. 12 editorial, "Japan: failure or success?": I worked in Japan during the bubble period and often return to work for large Japanese clients. I have observed the changes over 25 years and understand the pessimism. Everything considered, Japan is the best country in the world, it has...
Reader Mail
Feb 16, 2012

Let consumers rule on smoking

Regarding Patricia Yarrow's Feb. 12 letter, "Shaky will to reduce smoking": Coffeehouses and restaurants are private property. It is up to the business owner to determine what kind of environment attracts the greatest number of customers. Even if nonsmokers are a majority in the population, they are...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 16, 2012

Spiritualized forgets the past and moves on with 'Sweet Heart Sweet Light'

It is just four days before Christmas but Jason Pierce seems oblivious to festive cheer. The leader of influential space-rockers Spiritualized, sitting in the home studio where he has spent the last two years creating the band's forthcoming seventh album "Sweet Heart Sweet Light," has issues on his mind....
Reader Mail
Feb 16, 2012

Consider the defense alternative

Regarding the Feb. 10 Kyodo article "Iwakuni housing land sale in doubt": Does the Japanese government have no honor? Is its word no good? First we had the interminable squabbles over moving the bulk of the 3rd Marine Division from Okinawa to Guam, and relocating U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma...
Reader Mail
Feb 16, 2012

A worrisome Facebook future

Regarding Kevin Rafferty's Feb. 11 article, "Facebook moves from the virtual world to the real one": Good article. While Facebook has done some good, such as participating in the Arab Spring and the like, for others it is an addiction whose social value is questionable.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 16, 2012

Snow Revolution's orange shadow

Vladimir Putin's regime is warning Russians that their budding "Snow Revolution" will be as big a mistake as Ukraine's Orange Revolution of 2004. But, while the similarities between these two popular movements are palpable, their differences are essential, so comparing them might help the Russian opposition...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Feb 16, 2012

In the garden of Shigemori's mind

The Zen gardens of Kyoto have attracted countless admirers and served as inspiration to many artists, designers and other creative people. Steve Jobs, for whom Zen Buddhism was an inspiration, praised Kyoto's gardens, and the minimalism of Zen aesthetics became a strong inspiration behind the design...
CULTURE / Art
Feb 16, 2012

In the garden of Shigemori's mind

The Zen gardens of Kyoto have attracted countless admirers and served as inspiration to many artists, designers and other creative people. Steve Jobs, for whom Zen Buddhism was an inspiration, praised Kyoto's gardens, and the minimalism of Zen aesthetics became a strong inspiration behind the design...
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2012

'Long-period' quake warning urged

Experts reviewing the impact of "long-period ground motion" on tall structures such as high-rises following the March 11 earthquake are calling for creating a new system that would enhance warnings in the event of a major temblor and subsequent aftershocks.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Feb 14, 2012

Firms have few grounds to refuse staff paid leave

Reader KA writes: "In a recent Lifelines column ("All employees in Japan are entitled to paid leave, period," Dec. 13) it was stated that all employees have the legal right to take paid vacation providing they meet certain basic criteria. Whilst that is legally correct, employers can often prevent paid...
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2012

Oi reactor stress tests approved by NISA

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, in its first approval of stress tests for nuclear facilities, said Monday the level of quake and tsunami resistance of two reactors at the Oi power plant in Fukui Prefecture is adequate.
Reader Mail
Feb 12, 2012

Nursing-care tests raise dilemma

The Jan. 31 article "Foreigners' poor test grades force rethink on nurse tests" does raise a dilemma: Should Japan, or should it not, make the nurse certification test easier for foreigners? It may come down to answering the following questions:
Reader Mail
Feb 12, 2012

Mixed messages about manners

For many years, reading manners posters has been one of my commuting pastimes. Others include reading books, sleeping, people watching and, when possible, scenery watching. Sometimes I even try to hold my breath from one station to the next as a kind of fitness check.
Reader Mail
Feb 12, 2012

Different take on entrance exam

Roger Pulvers' Feb. 5 Counterpoint article, "Facts, facts and more facts: 'Education in Japan now only befits the past," states: "Students are admitted on the basis of the results of entrance exams that test rote-learned knowledge. There is little or no space for students to demonstrate their individual...
Reader Mail
Feb 12, 2012

Shaky will to reduce smoking

The Feb. 3 Kyodo article "Health ministry plan aims to cut smoking rate to 12% in 10 years" completely evades the obvious way to reduce smoking and passive smoking: Ban smoking inside all buildings, especially and including all coffee houses, bars, izakaya and restaurants. Join the civilized world.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear