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JAPAN
Jul 1, 2016

Japan short of 'minimum' standards on human trafficking: U.S. State Department

The U.S. State Department on Friday credited Japan with making "modestly increased" efforts against human trafficking in 2015, including the identification of some labor-trafficking victims for the first time in two decades.
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jun 29, 2016

Southeast Asian fires emitted the most carbon last year since 1997, topped entire EU output

Forest fires that blanketed Southeast Asia in thick haze last year released the greatest amount of climate-changing carbon since the record blazes in 1997, producing emissions higher than in the whole of the European Union, scientists said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2016

Test launches show North Korea making progress in developing midrange missile

Two new test-fires confirm the North's progress in developing its intermediate-range Musudan missile, says the Defense Ministry.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 15, 2016

Masuzoe resigns over expenses scandal; Sakurai vows not to enter forthcoming gubernatorial race

After weeks of mounting pressure over a political funds scandal that has tainted his office, Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe on Wednesday submitted a letter of resignation to the Tokyo assembly speaker, which takes effect on Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Jun 15, 2016

Masuzoe throws in the towel

The Tokyo governor's resignation may be convenient for the ruling parties, but they still must get to work on closing the loophole in the Political Funds Control Law that led to the scandal.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 4, 2016

Beer essentials: The craft beer boom in Japan shows no sign of running dry

Tomoko Sonoda was a college student during the "Dry Wars," the years immediately following the 1987 release of the game-changing light lager Asahi Super Dry. She and her classmates held tasting parties for the spate of new brews that were released by the three other major breweries in an attempt to compete....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 3, 2016

Close Abe aides eyed over last-minute change in economy slides presented at G-7 summit

The Group of Seven summit meeting last week in Ise, Mie Prefecture, chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has raised suspicions about Japan's political agenda.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
May 31, 2016

Nauru legalizes homosexuality, suicide, criminalizes marital rape, slavery

The tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru has legalized homosexuality, replacing its century-old criminal code with a new law that also criminalizes slavery and broadens the definition of rape to apply to married and unmarried couples.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 28, 2016

G-7 a precursor for Abe's pivot on consumption tax hike

The prime minister may have tried to use the G-7 summit for his own domestic political goal: creating a pretext to break his consumption tax pledge.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 27, 2016

China seeks to turn disputed South China Sea isles into Maldives-style resorts

China has announced that it will seek to turn some of the disputed islands in the South China Sea into a Maldives-type tourist destination, the state-run China Daily newspaper quoted a top official on Friday as saying.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 25, 2016

Chinese harassment of Philippine fishermen in disputed South China Sea eases

Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea have been plying their trade without being harassed by the Chinese coast guard for a month, officials said, in what could be an early sign of easing tensions under incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, who will be sworn in on June 30.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 25, 2016

No sign EgyptAir plane had any technical problems before takeoff, crash: sources

The EgyptAir jet that disappeared last week did not show any technical problems before taking off from Paris, sources within the Egyptian investigation committee said late Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 23, 2016

U.S. lifting of Vietnam arms ban 'good news' for Japan: expert

U.S. President Barack Obama announced Monday the lifting of a decades-old ban on the sale of weapons to Vietnam — a move that could have positive effects for Tokyo's already growing security ties with Hanoi.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 23, 2016

Let's discuss university scholarships for poorer students

Anti-poverty advocates have launched an online campaign calling on the government to join other developed countries in instituting a scholarship program.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 22, 2016

Australian firm names Russia, Putin in MH17 compensation claim: report

An Australian law firm has filed a compensation claim against Russia and President Vladimir Putin at the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of families of victims of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down in 2014, media reported.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 20, 2016

Under China's watchful gaze, Tsai sworn in as new Taiwan president

Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's new president, has a reputation as a patient, canny negotiator and she will need all those skills and more as she takes responsibility for what is potentially one of Asia's most dangerous flash points.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
May 13, 2016

Why is Tokyo starting to taste like Portland?

Walking into PDX Taproom, a bar in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, is like wandering into a condensed, alternate version of Portland, Oregon. Everything from the folk-pop hits playing in the background to the craft beers on tap hail from the Pacific Northwest metropolis.
COMMENTARY / World
May 9, 2016

The U.S. president never has to say he's sorry

U.S. President Barack Obama should be held accountable for the deadly mistakes made by his administration.
EDITORIALS
May 4, 2016

Chaos reigns supreme in Baghdad

Iraq's future is in Iraqi hands, but the politicians of that troubled country must put national interests before the lining of their pockets.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 2, 2016

Japanese activist's mealtime photos focus on telling stories of Syria's displaced

Meals eaten in tents or during the arduous journey from Syria to Europe. The struggle for food amid an uncertain future. These are among the moments being captured in photographs by a Japanese activist and aid worker hoping to bring awareness to the plight of the 11 million people displaced by the five-year...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Apr 30, 2016

Human primacy is go-ing, go-ing, gone

It is said of the ancient Chinese game go that the number of possible positions on its board exceeds the number of atoms in the known universe.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 2016

Japan's offshore investors on edge as Panama Papers revelations spark Hong Kong clampdown

Earlier this month, major banks in the territory suddenly stopped accepting applications to open accounts, says one financial consultant.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 26, 2016

Pentagon says U.S. challenged China, 12 others on navigation rights last year

ashington
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 25, 2016

Poverty-performance link warrants closer look

Recent studies call into question the belief that absolute poverty rates are the sole consideration in determining student performance.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2016

Australian police to investigate submarine tender leak: report

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have been asked to investigate how classified information on the country's 50 billion Australian dollar submarine tender emerged — the second such probe into leaks in the program, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. said Friday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Apr 22, 2016

Unloved managers lead clubs into showdown at F.A. Cup semifinals

If the majority of Manchester United and Everton fans had their way, Louis van Gaal and Roberto Martinez would not be in charge of their respective clubs for Saturday's F.A. Cup semifinal, let alone next season.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami