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Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 15, 2017

Japan's 'taxi prince' fights to keep Uber at bay

It's impossible for Ichiro Kawanabe to order up an Uber in Japan. The ride-hailing company has banned him from having an account.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Nov 13, 2017

With two patents under her belt, Aichi junior high school girl looks to help other inventive kids

Asuka Kamiya, 14, a second-year student from Meisho Junior High School in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, has established with her father a company to help elementary and junior high school students apply for patents and commercialize their inventions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 13, 2017

Why U.S. South China Sea policy is failing

Rather than fight a long term losing battle at the expense of Southeast Asian nations as well as that of peace and stability in the South China Sea, the U.S. should be proactive, accept reality and share power with China in its own backyard.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Nov 11, 2017

Lawson's new Karaage-Kun: Miso tops onion in this battle for the buds

There is a lot going on here, and the mix of flavors results in some of them being lost in the shuffle.
Japan Times
JAPAN / OKINAWA BEAT
Nov 10, 2017

Okinawa solar firm eyes new revenue by converting vacant house into lodging for overseas tourists

A solar power generation firm based in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, is pursuing a new line of business, tapping into a renovated vacant house as an inn for foreign visitors, especially large families.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 9, 2017

Apple seen eying 2018 iPad revamp to add facial recognition, but OLED screen unlikely

Apple Inc. is working on a redesigned, high-end iPad for as early as 2018 that incorporates key iPhone X features such as slimmer edges and facial recognition, according to people familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 8, 2017

'Wondrous cinematography' and 'relevant issues': How Semih Kaplanoglu's 'Grain' won over the Tokyo International Film Festival

Actor Tommy Lee Jones reveals what goes on in the mind of a film festival juror.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 8, 2017

Small Saitama town embraces sharing economy in bid to battle demographic drain

Yokoze, a quiet, scenic town of around 8,400 in the mountainous Chichibu region in Saitama Prefecture, isn't immune to the sweeping demographic change impacting hundreds of rural municipalities across Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Nov 6, 2017

Ahead of 2019 Rugby World Cup, Japan attempts to drum up enthusiasm from female fans

With the 2019 Rugby World Cup coming to Japan in two years, local governments hosting the event in the Chubu region are eagerly working to promote the sport, especially among women.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 4, 2017

Sawtelle Japantown: A return to one's roots?

A Los Angeles neighborhood is struggling to preserve its unique cultural identity.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Nov 4, 2017

Video game makers find a marketing recipe for success

Sega's popular video game character Sonic the Hedgehog is famous for running fast, but now it's slowing down to grab a bite to eat with some extra friendly company.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Nov 4, 2017

Hokkaido chef Shinichi Maeda adds a modern touch to traditional techniques

An Dining chef goes out of his way to source his ingredients personally.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Nov 4, 2017

Cozy Corner's Rich Cheese Fondue isn't quite what you'd expect

A good way to keep warm during the winter is by enjoying a nice fondue. The combination of bubbly melted cheese and bread can raise the spirits — and warm the stomachs — of anyone in the depths of the coldest season.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / BACKSTREET STORIES
Nov 3, 2017

Changing times in Setagaya's Shoin Jinjamae

There's something alluring about the suburban stops between Sangenjaya and Shimotakaido stations, which has been serviced by the Tokyu Setagaya tramway for the past 110 years.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 2, 2017

Tokyo International Film Festival closes with an inconvenient message from Al Gore

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore Jr. still remembers the childhood experiences that inspired his passion for the natural environment.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Oct 31, 2017

Shoma Uno coming on strong in bid for Olympic gold

Shoma Uno began his Grand Prix campaign with a grand performance at Skate Canada last week. The world silver medalist won the competition in Regina, Saskatchewan, by nearly 40 points.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 31, 2017

Kenshi Yonezu hopes for more fireworks on new album 'Bootleg'

For Hatsune Miku's 10th birthday, Kenshi Yonezu wrote the turquoise-haired anime darling an apocalyptic song. "Suna no Wakusei" (English title: "Dune") finds Yonezu, under the alias Hachi, programming the avatar for singing-synthesizer software Vocaloid to sing about a "desert planet" where life has...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 31, 2017

From furaryman to 'Nige-haji'

To encourage more young people to start families, Japan must create an environment in which mothers can work and men do more to help out around the home.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Oct 28, 2017

Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo: A war zone for photographer Cynthia Anderson

'For photographers fashion week means mock military manoeuvres with us lugging our heavy gear around.'
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 28, 2017

Twitter Japan confronts hate speech with mixed results

Following countless claims that Twitter has become a breeding ground for hate speech, the social networking service has started to take measures against hate speech on their platform over the past two years. After several events in September, however, it's clear that Twitter Japan is still struggling...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KONBINI WATCH
Oct 28, 2017

You look like you've seen a Ghost Pumpkin Cream Puff

It's the last weekend to indulge in Halloween-themed sweets from Japan's convenience stores. Fortunately, all of the nation's main konbini players have their limited edition desserts on shelves now. And, given the country's newfound love of Oct. 31, there are plenty of black and orange delights to choose...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2017

Small Japanese credit union outperforms mega-banks by lending to geisha and local startups

Kikuno Kashima, a Tokyo geisha, couldn't get a bank loan to open a club for her patrons and select guests until a tiny credit union agreed to lend her the money. Now she's part of a lending model that's doling out cash to startup companies and yielding surprisingly high profits in the process.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 27, 2017

Hundreds of thousands turn out in black in Bangkok to say final goodbye to late king

Thailand bade a final goodbye to its beloved late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday in a ceremony steeped in ancient rituals, processions and Buddhist rites that drew hundreds of thousands of mourners.
LIFE / EVENTS AND INFORMATION
Oct 26, 2017

Blending the West with Japan

Isetan Shinjuku Store is showcasing bags, business card cases and scarves that blend the timeless elegance of a premium British lifestyle brand and classic traditional Japanese craftsmanship (kŌgei) at The Stage on the first floor of the main building through Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 25, 2017

'Birds Without Names': Strong acting gets us through a couple's bad romance

If you're in the mood for a pleasant love story, avoid "Birds Without Names" like the plague. On the other hand, if you're cursing the idea of another Christmas alone, revel in the hope that all relationships may be as bad as the ones in this film.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.