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JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 17, 2012

Watami under scrutiny after karōshi

Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto has been compared to Adolf Hitler in the media for his authoritarian governing style, but on a realistic level he seems more like an overbearing boss. The famous tattoo controversy comes down to the notion that, as mayor, he employs city workers, and since the city's residents...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Feb 12, 2012

A future free from nuclear energy? Yakushima may be ready

I once took a ferry from Kagoshima on the southernmost tip of Kyushu to Amami Oshima, halfway to Okinawa. Just 60 km out from the massive Sakurajima volcano that dominates Kagoshima City, our ship passed a huge granite hunk of rock some 50,000 hectares, covered in forest.
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Dec 6, 2011

For the sake of Japan's future, foreigners deserve a fair shake

These past few columns have addressed fundamentally bad habits in Japanese society that impede positive social change. Last month I talked about public trust being eroded by social conventions that permit (even applaud) the systematic practice of lying in public.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 3, 2011

Antinuke stance within establishment slowly gathers steam

In May, Wakamono Manifest Sakutei Iinkai, a policy research group dedicated to issues relevant to people under 40, posted results of a survey in which members were asked who they wanted to lead Japan. There was no consensus, but the individual who received the most votes was Liberal Democratic Party...
COMMENTARY
May 10, 2011

China anticipates 'explosion' over anything

"They feel they are sitting on a volcano," said a prominent Chinese academic when explaining the government's crackdown on its critics.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Apr 25, 2011

Mideast unnerving North Korea

North Korea's ruler and his heir apparent are scared stiff at the prospect of prodemocracy movements spreading from the Middle East and northern Africa to their home turf.
COMMENTARY
Apr 1, 2011

Japan-China relations warming up in crisis

HONG KONG — If there is a rainbow behind the dark clouds currently blanketing Japan — the country's gravest crisis since World War II — it could be this: Relations with China, which were at their worst in decades last year, are taking a turn for the better.
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Oct 5, 2010

Census blind to Japan's true diversity

It's that time of the decade again. By now, all households in Japan should have received and submitted Japan's National Census (kokusei chosa), a survey taken every five years expressly to assist in policymaking, drawing up electoral districts and other matters of taxation and representation. This of...
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Sep 7, 2010

Don't blame JET for Japan's poor English

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, touted as the world's largest cultural exchange scheme, has brought thousands of non-Japanese into the country to teach at local boards of education. These days, with many government programs being told to justify their existence, a debate is raging over whether...
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jul 6, 2010

Japan's hostile hosteling industry

As you may know, Japan has no national civil or criminal legislation outlawing and punishing racial discrimination, meaning businesses with "Japanese only" signs aren't doing anything illegal.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 4, 2010

Newspapers, broadcasters not facing facts: Web is here to stay

Nihon Keizai, Japan's main financial newspaper, launched its new Web version on March 23. As with the print version, there will be two editions, morning and evening. There will also be Web-exclusive features like videos. Subscribers who opt for the Web version only pay ¥4,000 a month, while those who...
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Feb 23, 2010

Japan by the numbers (2.23.10)

Our survey says ... 78% of all surveys have an agenda: Japan by the numbers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 12, 2010

China struggles with Internet reality

The Internet plays an increasingly vital role as a forum of public opinion in China as other forms of media remain under tight Communist Party control, though government restrictions on the Web will likely intensify, experts said at a recent symposium held in Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 9, 2009

Poupeegirl brings chic twist to business of social networking

Popular social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and Mixi face a young, chic challenger. Poupeegirl is trying to steal the hearts of fashion-conscious young women, both in Japan and abroad.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 3, 2023

In India, news of population growth reinvigorates viral Islamophobia

Claims Muslims would soon become India's majority religion have long been a staple of Hindu nationalist ideologues.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Apr 1, 2023

'Don't blame women': Japan's birth drive sparks online debate

Japan's government has made tackling its falling birthrate a top priority, but with few women involved in official debate on the issue, some are making themselves heard on social media.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Mar 17, 2023

Why Kishida and Yoon moved to improve frosty bilateral ties

Beyond good food and drinks, North Korea’s repeated missile launches and the need for the two countries to cooperate over economic security brought the two leaders together.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 26, 2023

How threatening are threats and what are they doing to our psychological well-being?

News, social media alerts and scares are lighting up not only our smartphones, but also our brains, prompting some to ask how all the “threat talk” might be affecting us psychologically.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 13, 2023

Taiwan’s #MeToo scandals push Tsai to revamp law before election

With over 200 people already implicated, the DPP is expected to greenlight tougher measures against sexual harassment.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji