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ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 1, 2017

China and ASEAN members hold joint maritime rescue drills as South China Sea tensions ease

In an apparent sign of easing tensions over maritime disputes between China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the two held a joint maritime rescue drill in the South China Sea, Chinese state-run media said.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 1, 2017

Sumo needs to tackle cause of rising injuries

Yokozuna Harumafuji, who won his ninth championship in September, edged compatriot Hakuho for top spot in the newly released rankings for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 1, 2017

With new rules, Japan looks to wipe out abuse in trainee system — but critics say more must be done

Changes include creation of a watchdog organization and the requirement that firms secure accreditation for their training programs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 1, 2017

Sony's Aibo makes a comeback: There's life in the old dog yet

Sony Corp. said Wednesday it will resurrect Aibo, the robot-dog that inspired a cult following even after it was discontinued over a decade ago.
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2017

In Japan, wages stubbornly refuse to rise despite tight labor market and steady economic growth

Japan is discovering that even the tightest labor market in a generation is no quick spur for higher wages.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 1, 2017

Manafort gave wildly varying estimates of his wealth to banks

When Paul Manafort wanted to borrow money in the past five years he gave lenders wildly varying estimates of his wealth, ranging from $19 million to $136 million, according to special counsel Robert Mueller.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 1, 2017

At least 200 feared dead after North Korean nuclear test site tunnel collapses: report

More than 200 people are believed to have died when a tunnel at North Korea's main nuclear test site collapsed in September after the country's sixth and most powerful atomic test — an accident that could have far-reaching implications for the North's nuclear weapons program.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 1, 2017

Top Trump campaign officials agreed in 2016 to meet Putin representatives, ex-adviser claimed

In an email last summer, former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos claimed that top campaign officials had agreed to a meeting with representatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 1, 2017

Iraqi authorities gain first foothold in decades at Kurdish frontier with Turkey

Iraqi troops deployed on Tuesday at one of the main land crossings with Turkey, gaining a foothold at the Kurdish-held frontier for the first time in decades and imposing one of Baghdad's central demands on the Kurds.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2017

FEMA chief says U.S. spending over $200 million a day on weather-related disasters, slams Whitefish contract

The U.S. is spending more than $200 million a day responding to recent hurricanes and wildfires, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told Congress Tuesday in testimony that also slammed the $300 million Whitefish contract in Puerto Rico.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 1, 2017

Assad sets sights on areas held by U.S.-backed Kurds after Islamic State fall, risking new Syria conflict

With Islamic State near defeat in Syria, Damascus is setting its sights on territory held by Kurdish-led forces, including eastern oil fields, risking a new confrontation that could draw the United States in more deeply and complicate Russian diplomacy.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 1, 2017

U.S. EPA bans scientists from independent advisory boards, riling Democrats

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday it will bar certain scientists from serving on its independent advisory boards, a move critics say could open the way to more industry-friendly advisers on the panels.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 1, 2017

White House chief of staff's Civil War lack of 'compromise' remark draws fire

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly's comment that the U.S. Civil War was sparked by a lack of "compromise" drew criticism and reignited a debate over Confederate monuments and the role of slavery.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 1, 2017

As attention focuses on North Korea threat, Beijing quietly expanding South China Sea militarization

China has quietly undertaken more construction and reclamation in the South China Sea, recent satellite images show, and is likely to more powerfully reassert its claims over the waterway soon, regional diplomats and military officers say.
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.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Oct 31, 2017

Kajitani, BayStars remain positive as series resumes in Yokohama

Despite his team getting off to an 0-2 start in the ongoing Japan Series, Yokohama BayStars outfielder Takayuki Kajitani held his head up high as the series resumed at Yokohama Stadium for Tuesday's Game 3.
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...
CULTURE / Art
Oct 31, 2017

What makes a National Treasure?

Together, Japan's National Treasures provide a cacophonous ode to the nation and its heritage for its historical, cultural, geographical and stylistic dissonances. Yet, this is the first time in 41 years that 210 such works (or sets) have been displayed en masse.
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.
EDITORIALS
Oct 31, 2017

A growing threat in Africa

The deaths of four U.S. Army soldiers in Niger has triggered several controversies in the United States.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 31, 2017

Why economic growth is no longer enough

Gains in capital productivity are not being translated into higher median incomes — a breach of the social contract on which liberal economies rest.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 31, 2017

Free college helps the rich the most

Making college free for all isn't the right way to insure poor students have access to higher education.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 31, 2017

Manafort indictment begins complicated story

Democrats who are getting revved up for special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation to follow the money from Russia to the Trump campaign shouldn't get too excited yet.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2017

Opposition rips Abe's reported drive to slash time for grilling top officials in the Diet

Six parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party and Kibo no To, called the LDP's bid to limit their chance to question the government 'unacceptable.'

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’