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Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 8, 2011

Tohoku brewers: 'Drink without restraint!'

Last weekend, fifth-generation sake brewery owner Kosuke Kuji of Nanbu Bijin delivered an earnest plea to the public on behalf of sake producers in the Tohoku region: "We'd be sincerely grateful if people would continue to have hanami parties (this year)."
Reader Mail
Apr 7, 2011

Credit for Japan's modern success

Regarding Michael Hoffman's Timeout April 3 article, "Renewed national pride will shape Japan's future": The Japanese never lost their "Japanese spirit" after World War II. Nor did they become "Americanized" and lose their unique culture. We might have whipped them, but all America did was point Japan...
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2011

Long-term power loss not foreseen in nuclear guidelines

Design guidelines for nuclear plants do not require that utilities take steps against long-term power loss, according to rules published in 1990 and obtained by The Japan Times. The apparent lapse was based on the assumption that in case of an emergency, electricity would be quickly restored or backup...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2011

Fallout of nuclear and financial meltdowns

BRUSSELS — The metaphors used during the financial crisis of 2008-2009 — earthquake, tsunami, meltdown, black swan and fallout — are back with a vengeance, but now they are being recycled literally. In fact, the financial crisis and the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima nuclear-power plant in Japan...
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Apr 6, 2011

Despite adding Williams, Nets have big issues

NEW YORK — Some impure thoughts before they become outdated or suppressed:
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 6, 2011

A cure for fiscal failure

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Should more countries create independent fiscal advisory councils to infuse greater objectivity into national budget debates?
EDITORIALS
Apr 5, 2011

Shinkansen lines 'shrink' nation

The entire super-express Kyushu Shinkansen Line, linking the cities of Fukuoka and Kagoshima, was quietly opened March 12, a day after the massive earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan. This follows the December opening of the completed Tohoku Shinkansen Line linking Tokyo and Shin Aomori. Now...
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2011

Tepco dumps toxic water into sea

Tokyo Electric Power Co. on Monday began releasing 10,000 tons of low-level radioactive water from the Fukushima No. 1 power plant into the Pacific Ocean on Monday evening to help accelerate the process of bringing the crippled complex under control.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2011

Tohoku disaster sparks innovative social media responses

As Japan grapples with an unprecedented triple disaster — earthquake, tsunami, nuclear crisis — the Web has spawned creativity and innovation online amid a collective desire to ease suffering.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 4, 2011

Russian alienation and the cost of freedom

MOSCOW — The Russian government, with its solid hold on power, has invariably gotten away with poor performance, inefficiency, corruption and widespread violation of political rights and civil liberties.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 4, 2011

Paint Thailand yellow and red, with a caveat to compromise

BANGKOK — After three consecutive years of deadly street protests, Thailand has arrived at the point where it will need to hold new elections, as the current term of its national assembly expires next December.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Apr 4, 2011

Effects of the Tohoku disaster and options for Japan's response

More than three weeks after Tohoku and the eastern parts of the Kanto region were hit by a massive earthquake that triggered a tsunami and a nuclear power plant crisis — there are few indications of when Japan might get the situation under control.
BASKETBALL
Apr 4, 2011

Rizing edge Magic on day of bj-league blowouts

Nobody said these are ordinary times in Japan. That sentiment also describes Sunday's bj-league action.
JAPAN
Apr 4, 2011

Two missing Tepco workers found dead

Two workers reported missing after the Tohoku quake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima No. 1 power plant were found dead Wednesday in the basement of the No. 4 reactor's turbine building, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Sunday.
Reader Mail
Apr 3, 2011

Kids should know what's going on

Regarding Jun Hongo's March 25 Q&A article, "Should kids be shielded from coverage of disaster?": In my opinion, and as a result of personal experience with tragedy, children should play a big part in knowing what's happening with issues. In my neighborhood, I see elementary school-age kids playing around...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 3, 2011

Yen for a new global currency

HONG KONG — A growing feeling that the dollar has had its day is still being spoiled by the lack of a ready alternative and by inertia and lack of global political vision or leadership. China's unwillingness to assume international responsibilities is another important factor.
Reader Mail
Apr 3, 2011

Leaders must anticipate disaster

Again, America is witnessing an international crisis, this time the earthquake-tsunami aftermath in Japan. As we have seen so many times in recent years — especially after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans (2005) — our nation's leaders appear to grow wiser by reaction rather than by a proactive approach....
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 2, 2011

International school typifies Sendai's community spirit

Local merchants crowded in with proud parents and teachers, eyes glued to the screen and banners waving. It could have been anywhere in Japan during Koshien season: a community gathered around the television in the school cafeteria, neighbors coming together to cheer the home team at the annual spring...
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2011

Tohoku disaster causes 'natto' shortage

"Natto" fermented soybeans, considered by many as a healthy source of protein, is just one of many food items missing from supermarkets nationwide amid the disaster triggered by the March 11 quake and tsunami.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2011

Volunteer sensitivity to locals' needs called for

Tohoku communities hit by the earthquake and tsunami last month are gradually embarking on the road to recovery, with some finally able to call on volunteers outside the region for help thanks to restored infrastructure.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Apr 2, 2011

Creative shelters bring privacy to Tohoku evacuees

Architects and designers are coming to the aid of homeless needing privacy and shelter in the wake of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2011

Coming together for the survivors

One recent afternoon in a small community room in an apartment building in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, people streamed in carrying big boxes and bags full of food, beverages and clothing.
EDITORIALS
Apr 1, 2011

Now it's Yemen's turn

The Middle East continues to churn. While events in Libya and Syria command most of the world's attention, developments in Yemen are just as important. The situation there is unraveling and for once the prospect of al-Qaida profiting from the unrest seems real. That is not a reason to disown demonstrators...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Apr 1, 2011

Iori Asano

Fresh off his release on Peter Van Hoesen's Time To Express label, Okinawa-based DJ and producer Iori Asano is riding high. The Japan Times sneaks a peek into his record bag.
Reader Mail
Mar 31, 2011

Prod toward more transparency

Regarding Gregory Clark's March 24 article, "Nuclear meltdowns and Japanese culture": It is always a pleasure to read Clark's considered analysis, steeped as it usually is in high-level personal experience with some wing of the Japanese bureaucracy or industry from the past 30 years.
Reader Mail
Mar 31, 2011

Air bombing vet urges U.S. aid

What a horrible tragedy for so many thousands of Japan's citizens! We have been watching the incredible devastation caused by the (March 11) tsunami and quake. I wanted to help, so I made a donation to The Japan Times Readers' Fund.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years