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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2018

There's more to Charles Dickens' festive fare than just 'A Christmas Carol'

Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" in 1843 in part because he was appalled at the living conditions of England's urban poor, especially after a visit that September to a so-called Ragged School for London slum children. But he also wrote it because he needed money. His sixth novel, "Martin Chuzzlewit,"...
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 22, 2018

Planned drawdown in Afghanistan imperils U.S. push for peace

U.S. President Donald Trump will upend his own strategy to bring peace to Afghanistan and end America's longest war if he proceeds with plans to withdraw about half of the 14,000 U.S. troops there, according to veteran diplomats and U.S. officials.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 21, 2018

U.S. expected to end air war against Islamic State in Syria, alarming allies, Kurd partners

The United States will likely end its air campaign against Islamic State in Syria when it pulls out troops, U.S. officials said, sealing an abrupt reversal of policy that has alarmed Western allies as well as Washington's Kurdish battle partners.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 19, 2018

U.S. seeks to expedite aid for North Korea amid stalled nuclear talks

U.S. officials will try to expedite humanitarian aid to North Korea, a U.S. envoy said on Wednesday, as Washington and Pyongyang struggle to find a breakthrough in stalled talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear program.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Dec 16, 2018

Cultural differences can present a challenge when giving or receiving care

Coping with a sudden illness or unexpected injury is difficult enough in your own country, but it can be even harder when you're unfamiliar with the customs or language of the country you live in.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 12, 2018

Ticket sales brisk despite Takanoiwa scandal

Once again, sumo finds itself embroiled in a violence scandal.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 11, 2018

While ballet reigned supreme, a range of dance delighted fans in 2018

For a dance-loving country like Japan, every year brings delight in the variety of performances on offer, but the depth and breadth of 2018 on stage has been particularly grand for fans across a wide range of genres and movements.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 10, 2018

Top U.S. envoy to North Korea can't get face time with counterparts

More than three months after Secretary of State Michael Pompeo picked Stephen Biegun to lead negotiations with North Korea, the former Ford Motor Co. executive has barely met officials from Pyongyang face-to-face.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 7, 2018

Former President George H.W. Bush laid to rest in Texas

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush was laid to rest at his presidential library in College Station, Texas, on Thursday, following funeral services at his longtime church in Houston.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Dec 4, 2018

Moved by Hanyu: A fan's story of love for the skating legend

Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu's impact on the Japanese public during his career has been profound. This is irrefutable.
Japan Times
ESG CONSORTIUM
Dec 2, 2018

Climate conference to advance Paris accord

Adapting implementation guidelines of a climate change accord to combat global warming is the crucial objective at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Poland from Dec. 2 to 14.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / BACKSTREET STORIES
Nov 30, 2018

Taking a perch with the hip birds of Uguisudanicho

One of two places in Tokyo named after valleys favored by the melodious uguisu (Japanese bush warbler), Uguisudanicho is a small neighborhood wedged between Daikanyama, Ebisu and Shibuya straddling the line between old-school businesses and gentrification.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2018

Humans and nature coexist in Ramsar-recognized wetlands — in the heart of Tokyo

A flock of great crested grebes floats on the sea, gently bobbing up and down under the warm November sun.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 19, 2018

Trump would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker moves to curtail Robert Mueller's Russian meddling probe

President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday he would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker, his acting U.S. attorney general, moved to curtail special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Oct 30, 2018

Trump may answer Mueller questions after election, lawyer says

U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team has prepared written responses to several dozen questions from Special Counsel Robert Mueller but say they won't submit them until after next week's elections and only if they reach a broader agreement with Mueller on terms for the questioning.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 27, 2018

The faces of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2018: Competition

The 31st Tokyo International Film Festival, which opened on Thursday, is screening a variety of cinema from all over the world at various venues in Tokyo. The festival runs until Nov. 3, when the jury will announce the winning films from the competition.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 18, 2018

Your guide to our Japanese film picks at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) offers fans a rare chance to see dozens of new and classic Japanese films with English subtitles on the big screen. Among my own picks for the event's 31st edition:
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 16, 2018

Firms offer a glimpse of future business models at CEATEC, Japan's biggest electronics trade show

Japan's biggest electronics trade show kicked off Tuesday, offering a future peek at how the latest technologies can be integrated into everyday living.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Oct 14, 2018

Tokyo's fashion week can be for the fans

You don't need to be in the business to take part in Amazon Tokyo Fashion Week. Here's our pick of related events anyone can enjoy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 13, 2018

Can female surgeons dismantle stereotypes in Japan?

The long-running American TV series "Grey's Anatomy" is popular because of the way it mixes standard medical drama with mushy romantic intrigue, but another part of its appeal is the makeup of its characters. The drama takes place in the surgical department of a Seattle hospital, and half the doctors...
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Oct 12, 2018

Trump's lawyers preparing answers to questions in Russia probe but not on obstruction allegations: source

President Donald Trump's lawyers are preparing answers to questions for the U.S. special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 6, 2018

'Anthony Bourdain's Hungry Ghosts': Deliciously sinister, beautifully illustrated supernatural tales

Hard-boiled, multifaceted writer Joel Rose paired up with the late Anthony Bourdain to pen 'Anthony Bourdain's Hungry Ghosts,' an illustrated collection of fright and food evoking the Japanese kaidan (ghost story) tradition.

Longform

The byzantine process for converting a foreign driver’s license into a Japanese one entails mountains of paperwork and significant stamina — unless you're a lucky license holder from a country or region where these requirements are waived.
Driving in Japan isn’t hard. Getting the license is.