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Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Apr 1, 2023

Ainu culture at the heart of Hokkaido’s mindful tourism pivot

As Hokkaido looks to promote responsible, community-based tourism centered on Ainu culture and traditions, questions remain as to who stands to gain.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 30, 2023

As parliament debates kick into high gear, all eyes are on Kishida’s signature policies

The prime minister and his administration will now focus on some of his key legislative issues, including energy, defense and asylum programs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 29, 2023

Why South Korea still handles China with kid gloves

South Korea is wary of angering China, its top trading partner and the one country it sees as having influence over North Korea
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 20, 2023

To combat food shortages, North Korea deploys the military

Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, has called for soldiers to be “a driving force” in increasing food production, a reflection of the North's economic and geopolitical challenges.
PODCAST / deep dive
Mar 15, 2023

Haruki Murakami’s new novel. Plus, allegations resurface in J-pop.

Celebrated author Haruki Murakami reveals the title to a new novel, “The City and its Uncertain Walls.” Also, the BBC puts out a documentary on J-pop titan Johnny Kitagawa.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 5, 2023

China sets lowest growth target in years as parliament kicks off

China posted just 3% growth last year, missing its stated target of around 5.5% by a wide margin as the economy strained under the impact of strict COVID policies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 3, 2023

Anger among Japan's opposition over plan to clear student debt for having babies

On social media, opposition politicians and others said the proposal discriminated against those who don’t — or can’t — have children.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 3, 2023

U.S. and Russian top diplomats meet for first time since Ukraine invasion

Early in the G20 meeting of foreign ministers, the United States and European allies urged the group of nations to keep up pressure on Moscow to end the conflict.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 3, 2023

Ukraine clings to Bakhmut as U.S. readies $400 million in new military aid

Russian forces have been attacking the city in Donetsk province for months, and the site has become one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 2, 2023

The ex-SDF member who declared war on sexual abuse

Rina Gonoi's story has inspired dozens more people to report sexual and other abuse in Japan's armed forces.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 2, 2023

'Havana syndrome' not caused by foreign adversary, U.S. intel finds

Around 1,500 cases of the ailment have been reported by U.S. government agencies and departments, including some from this year.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Mar 1, 2023

Rust belt province got old before it got rich, as much of China will

As China's 1.4 billion population declines and ages, in part because of a policy that limited couples to one child from 1980 to 2015, pressure on pension budgets is soaring.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 25, 2023

G20 to fail to reach consensus on Russia-Ukraine war, sources say

The G7 group of nations have been adamant in demands that a communique squarely condemn Russia for the invasion of its neighbor.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Feb 25, 2023

'Dear, the war has started': My journey from Ukraine to Japan

It was around this time a year ago that Natalia Makohon hung out with her friends for the last time. From then on, her life would mostly be about survival.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 24, 2023

BOJ governor nominee says monetary easing needs to be maintained

Appearing at a confirmation hearing at the Lower House, Ueda also said he will pursue the stable and sustainable 2% inflation target set by the current BOJ governor.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 23, 2023

A life dedicated to learning, conserving water resources

Emperor Naruhito, who was born 63 years ago today as the eldest son of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, is known as the first Japanese emperor to have studied abroad.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 22, 2023

Biden vows Russia will never win Ukraine as Putin fights on

Speaking in the capital of NATO ally Poland, Biden pledged that 'Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia — never.'
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 21, 2023

U.N. Security Council 'silence' on North Korean missiles is dangerous, U.S. says

North Korea test-fired dozens of missiles in 2022, setting security postures in East Asia on edge, and fired two ballistic missiles on Monday, two days after test-launching an ICBM.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 16, 2023

Fumio Kishida is succeeding abroad but failing at home

Kishida's polling numbers remain in the “caution area,” and there seems to be little opportunity for him to turn things around before local elections in April.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 13, 2023

Doubts raised over Japan's ability to shoot down spy balloons

The Defense Ministry has adopted the position that airspace intrusions by foreign balloons will be dealt with accordingly.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 31, 2023

Myanmar is a country between chaos and hopelessness

Nearly two years after a military coup and being increasingly out of the global spotlight, Myanmar has descended into an unending civil conflict.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 30, 2023

Bangladesh develops green economic zones, but will locals benefit?

Activists are concerned about how enough land will be found for the zones without compromising agricultural production or infringing residents' rights.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 30, 2023

NATO chief urges South Korea to step up military support for Ukraine

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is in Seoul, the first stop on a trip that will include Japan and is aimed at strengthening ties with U.S. allies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 29, 2023

Japan’s new security posture is Abe’s legacy

The aim of the historic security policy shift started by Fumio Kishida's predecessor is clear: to improve Japan's ability to confront the threat posed by China’s expansionism.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 28, 2023

Cracking under pressure: Inside the race to fix France’s nuclear plants

Complicated procedures, replicated across sites this winter, have hampered the ability of Electricite de France to get the country's nuclear reactors back online after lengthy shutdowns.

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.