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COMMENTARY / World
Nov 17, 2011

Language imperialism — 'democracy' in China

If you are an American or European citizen, chances are you've never heard about shengren, minzhu and wenming. If one day you promote them, you might even be accused of culture treason.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Nov 17, 2011

P.O.L. Style

DJ P.O.L. Style (Paul Beveridge) moved to Tokyo from Glasgow in 2003. He created the Numbers Tokyo party series and produces his own beats under the T&A Records, Tiger Bass and Nightshifters imprints. Ahead of this week's Yume Fest, The Japan Times looks in his record bag.
COMMENTARY
Nov 16, 2011

Methane time bomb is ticking

Scientific research shows that the need for resolute action to curb global warming from fossil fuel burning is become increasingly urgent. Yet policymakers in Japan and many other countries find it more difficult to take the necessary measures because they are costly and unpopular with many voters.
COMMENTARY
Nov 16, 2011

The West starts beating its war drums once again

"We will not build two (nuclear) bombs in the face of (America's) 20,000," said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in response to an International Atomic Energy Agency report last week that accuses Iran of doing just that. He called Yukiya Amano, the head of the IAEA, a U.S. puppet, saying: "This...
COMMENTARY
Nov 16, 2011

Who in America gets to judge political truth?

The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, a compound of political pandering and moral exhibitionism, was whooped through the Senate, aka the "world's greatest deliberative body," by unanimous consent; the House, joining the stampede, passed it by a voice vote.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 16, 2011

Dragons fans display unbridled support for team

With the Dragons' surprising 2-0 start to the ongoing Japan Series, their loyal fans may be able to see something they hadn't expected before it began: manager Hiromitsu Ochiai being tossed in the air at their home house.
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2011

Fukushima No. 1 tour an eye-opener

"Now 1,000 microsieverts (per hour)!"
COMMUNITY / Voices / HAVE YOUR SAY
Nov 15, 2011

Tatemae as truth, culture clashes and Arudou's dangerous myth

Some responses to Debito Arudou's Nov. 1 Just Be Cause column, headlined "The costly fallout of tatemae and Japan's culture of deceit":
BUSINESS
Nov 15, 2011

Quarter's GDP hits 6% annual rate

Japan's gross domestic product grew in the July-September period for the first time in three quarters, marking annualized growth of 6 percent, the Cabinet Office said Monday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Nov 15, 2011

Takahashi turns in solid performance to defend NHK Trophy

Daisuke Takahashi defended his NHK Trophy title on Sunday with a solid showing in the free skate.
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Occupy Tokyo a welcome sight

Regarding Michael Hoffman's Nov. 7 Bilingual page article, "Occupy Tokyo lacks focus but still demands change": I am a 21-year-old African American who has watched and participated in the Occupy Wall Street movement of Oakland, California. I am happy to hear that the movement supporting the future of...
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Forget about American model

I certainly hope that if Occupy Tokyo flourishes, that the Occupy Wall Street model is not chosen. It would be sad to see Tokyo's lawless, unaccomplished, ill-mannered, overeducated yet ignorant and incompetent rule. I hope they will not degrade themselves by urinating and defecating in public, having...
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Enough of the Asahara case

Regarding the Nov. 10 Kyodo brief "Asahara second retrial plea fails": How long is the justice minister going to let this filthy case drag out? I don't see any reason for doing so other than to allow one of the world's worst demons to enjoy life for so long.
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Give tourists better rail option

Regarding the Nov. 6 Kyodo article "Foreign tourism in Yamanashi plummets": If Japan is really serious about attracting more tourists, Japan Railway needs to get rid of the rule that forbids rail pass holders from traveling on Nozomi lines of the Shinkansen (bullet train). This rule might have been fair...
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

3-D films not worth the price

"Sony to stop handing out 3-D glasses" (Sept. 29 AP article) may be a prescient move. For my own part, I'm not fond of 3-D movies because the effect isn't all that thrilling. The screen is slightly dimmer, and the ticket price is 50 percent more.
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Olympus case is hardly unique

The Nov. 9 front-page article "Olympus admits hiding losses since 1990s" comes as no surprise. Many companies that were hit hard by reckless risky behavior during the bubble years, be it in securities or properties, had hell to pay in subsequent years.
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Western 'help' invites trouble

Regarding the Nov. 10 editorial, "New era for Libya": Western "help" is an affliction. Colonialism fed on internecine battles of the Indian subcontinent. I suspect the same was true in other colonies of the past. Libya can make no virtuous progress under the stigma of the NATO bombing campaign (to overthrow...
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Look at who received a medal

I usually enjoy Tom Plate's relativistic ruminations and ramblings, but I have to question his judgment concerning Lee Kuan Yew and the Lincoln Medal in his Nov. 7 article, "Asian leader receives coveted American award." Ironically this letter, and perhaps even some of Plate's columns, would probably...
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

Other materials besides cesium

While Kazuaki Nagata's Nov. 9 article, "Radiation cleanup plan falls short", was appreciated, I must point out one misstatement in the article. Nagata asserts that "The main radioactive materials that spewed from the Fukushima No. 1 plant are cesium-134 and -137."
BASKETBALL
Nov 13, 2011

89ers edge Grouses in OT, earn first home win since before March 11 earthquake

The Sendai 89ers edged the visiting Toyama Grouses 88-84 in overtime on Saturday. In doing so, the 89ers recorded their first home win since before the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 13, 2011

Taking it easy on Tokashiki

In the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, from the 14th to 19th centuries, Chinese envoys would come to Shuri Castle on the island of Okinawa to officiate at the coronation of the Ryukyu kings. When their ships were spotted from the 227-meter peak of Mount Akama on the northeast coast of outlying Tokashiki...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Nov 13, 2011

PL champion Hawks are vital part of vibrant Fukuoka

While I was flying from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Fukuoka for the Pacific League Climax Series final stage last week, a thought occurred to me. What if the Wright Brothers could come back and take a similar flight today? What would they think of the advances made in aviation since they made that...
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Nov 13, 2011

Creating a future for Japan's aging society

Japan is an elderly country. Twenty-three percent of its population is 65 or over. By 2050, nearly 40 percent will be. Nothing like these demographics has ever been seen before, here or anywhere. This is well-known and much discussed, usually in terms of the grim implications for an enfeebled economy...
Reader Mail
Nov 13, 2011

European outlook toward Africa

As for Gwynne Dyer's Nov. 7 article, "The population disaster looms mostly for Africa," no worries. Africa has always managed to control its population either by way of man-made disasters or natural calamities. Of course, the "white masters" of Europe have also lent a helping hand once in a while with...
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2011

Noda — between rock, hard place

Following Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's announcement Friday that Japan will join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, the focus of attention has now shifted to this weekend's summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Honolulu.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Nov 12, 2011

Dissent within DPJ ranks looks set to fester

Delaying the decision to take part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations by a day may have bought a little time, but experts said Friday there is no going back for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda now that he has announced Japan will participate in the free-trade talks.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Nov 12, 2011

Meanwhile, on the island where they say hello . . .

"This year we have a class where we introduce the children to their neighbors on the island," said the principal of the Shiraishi Elementary School. "So we'd like you to come and talk to the children and tell them why you like living on the island."

Longform

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb