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COMMENTARY / World
Feb 13, 2015

Can Malaysian democracy thrive without Anwar?

If the Malaysian opposition party People's Alliance does not hold together without Anwar Ibrahim — who is back in jail again — all chance of ending the National Front's seemingly perpetual rule will be lost.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Feb 13, 2015

Tiled air raid shelter in Aichi hailed as work of art

A private World War II air raid shelter exquisitely lined with colorful tiles has recently been opened to the public in Handa, Aichi Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 12, 2015

Red Cross chief offers Abe way to help war victims without taking sides

As Japan grapples with the dilemma of how to aid victims of conflict without appearing to take sides, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has said his group represents a good way to insulate donor nations from risk.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 12, 2015

Aid group offers Abe way to help war victims without ruffling feathers

As Japan grapples with the dilemma of how to aid victims of conflict without appearing to take sides, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has said his group represents a good way to insulate donor nations from risk.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 7, 2015

Options allow Tokyo to be more accessible

Former anchorwoman Christel Takigawa referenced the country's spirit of selfless hospitality in her presentation to the International Olympic Committee in 2013, a speech that helped persuade the IOC to give Japan the rights to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 6, 2015

Secret burials thwarting efforts to stamp out Ebola, U.N. says

Efforts to stamp out West Africa's Ebola epidemic are being thwarted by villagers touching and washing the infectious bodies of dead victims at secret burials and difficulty in tracing those exposed to the virus, U.N. officials said on Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 30, 2015

Venerable Children's Castle in Tokyo set to close after 30 years

After 30 years, Kodomo-no-shiro (National Children's Castle), the venerable children's arts and sports complex in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, is set to shut its doors.
WORLD
Jan 24, 2015

First U.S. troops head to Middle East to train Syrian opposition

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the first group of about 100 U.S. troops to head to the Middle East in the next few days to establish training sites for Syrian opposition fighters battling Islamic State militants, the Pentagon said on Friday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / NFL NOTEBOOK
Jan 21, 2015

Manning can thrive in Kubiak's system

My first impression when I heard the news that the Denver Broncos had hired Gary Kubiak to replace John Fox as the 15th head coach in team history was that Peyton Manning is one step closer to retirement.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2015

Government earmarks funds to deal with caregiver shortage

A crisis in nursing care is brewing. The government estimates that the nation will be short of 300,000 professional caregivers by 2025, when postwar baby boomers will be 75 or older and many will need regular care.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 21, 2015

James Patterson to launch explosive 'Private Vegas'

James Patterson, already among the world's best-selling authors, plans to shake up the publishing industry with the launch of his new novel, "Private Vegas," which will self-destruct within 24 hours.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 20, 2015

Peace of mind is a sure thing when eating at The Dome

Swaying to the soothing strains of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," a little girl sets the table for her special tea party, with a giant stuffed toy broccoli and Mickey Mouse as her invited guests. I had been in this space years ago, child-free, only then there was Champagne instead of orange juice, and ambient...
JAPAN / Society
Jan 17, 2015

Home away from home: the plight of refugees in Japan

On a cold winter's day in December, an African man sits in a meeting room at the Japan Association for Refugees, a nonprofit organization in Tokyo. The man, whose name and country of origin have been withheld to protect his identity from those who wish him and his family harm, has been seeking refugee...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 16, 2015

Korean troops take part in exercises

Winter drills on either side of the demilitarized zone underscore the fragility of a potential thaw between North Korea and South Korea after Kim Jong Un raised the possibility of a summit.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 13, 2015

Delivering on the promise of 'Abenomics'

If politicians themselves participate in the taxpayer identification system, bureaucrats forgo some of the power that excessive regulation affords them and businesses give up some of their special tax benefits, the Abe government may yet fulfill its promise and build a thriving economy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Jan 11, 2015

Foreign female dean opens doors for Japan’s working women

A brush with sexual discrimination gave Robin Sakamoto the drive to succeed as a working mom and push for on-campus facilities at Kyorin to help parents.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 8, 2015

'The Collection 2015'

The two rooms of "The Collection 2015" offer two different kinds of collections.
WORLD
Jan 6, 2015

CIA says its inspector general is resigning at end of month

CIA Inspector General David Buckley, who investigated a dispute between the agency and Congress over the handling of records of the CIA's detention and interrogation activities, is resigning effective Jan. 31, the CIA said on Monday.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 30, 2014

'Kohaku' rallies the J-pop acts, but don't count enka out just yet

On New Year's Eve, many families in Japan inevitably wind up gathered around the TV to watch a selection of holiday programming. One of the most popular shows is NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Dec 29, 2014

Discussing sex crimes and Japan's 'safety myth'

A selection of responses to Rachel Halle's recent column, 'Foreign student's account of treatment in rape case points to gaps in Japan's safety myth.'
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 26, 2014

Digital tack taken to revive interest in New Year's cards

The tradition of sending "nengajo," or New Year's postcards, has been in decline as people turn to the Internet, social networking and digital gadgets like smartphones instead of putting pen to paper.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 24, 2014

Ballet meets noh in unique 'Feast of Beauty'

No matter what the weather early next year, a really special show being staged once only in Osaka and Tokyo is sure to set ablaze the hearts of noh and ballet fans alike.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Dec 24, 2014

Take the family out for a fancy holiday dinner — without the worry

Picking just the right spot for a holiday meal with children in tow can be a tricky affair; one that requires choosing a destination with good food, ambience and just enough room and background noise for junior to play — and stop you from pulling out your hair.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 22, 2014

Airport facial recognition system eyed but only for Japanese

As Japan braces for a surge in foreign visitors in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, pressure is mounting to expedite how visitors are processed at airports.

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.