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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 18, 2019

Putin's trolling of Trump isn't just about missiles

Russia's offer to sell air defense systems to Saudi Arabia is really a bid to replace the U.S. as the region's go-to problem solver.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 17, 2019

Empty hair salons can't be saved by BOJ

Struggling businesses in rural Japan show the limits of the central bank's massive easing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 17, 2019

U.S. president cornered by the latest Middle East crisis

The U.S. president's inconsistency on Iran and his ties to the Saudis don't bode well for how he will handle a monumental foreign policy challenge.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 17, 2019

Doctors, lawyers and pilots protest in Paris over Macron's pension reforms

Lawyers in flowing black courtroom gowns, doctors in white coats and uniformed airline pilots marched through Paris on Monday to protest at French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Sep 16, 2019

Concern about climate could carry Greens to breakthrough in Canadian election

With climate change a top concern heading into next month's Canadian election and mainstream candidates offering little inspiration, Green Party leader Elizabeth May could be poised for a breakthrough.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 15, 2019

The Hatoyama administration's significance

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may wish to forget this time as a bad dream, but insead he and must try to learn from it, as should the opposition parties, the voters and the alliance managers who backed the wrong horse.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Sep 15, 2019

Trump floats possible U.S. defense treaty with Israel in boost for Netanyahu ahead of tough election

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a possible mutual defense treaty between the two nations, a move that could bolster Netanyahu's re-election bid just days before Israelis go to the polls.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 14, 2019

Of cats and rabbits: UNESCO World Heritage candidate caught in a bind over tourism drive

UNESCO designates World Heritage sites in order to preserve cultural or natural assets deemed significant to humanity. The idea is to maintain these assets for future generations, but UNESCO itself doesn't pay for maintenance. It is up to the countries where the sites are located and UNESCO will remove...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 14, 2019

A long history of resisting self-service

Attempts to ban self-checkout are in line with previous controversies over ATMs and self-serve gas.
JAPAN
Sep 14, 2019

Poll finds majority of people oppose pardoning of certain criminals to mark emperor's enthronement

A majority of people in Japan oppose granting pardons for certain crimes to mark the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito earlier this year, a Jiji Press opinion survey showed.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Sep 14, 2019

Turkey leader says he will discuss buying U.S. Patriot missiles with Trump

Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan said he will discuss buying U.S. Patriot missiles with President Donald Trump this month, saying his personal bond with the U.S. leader could overcome a crisis caused by Ankara buying Russian air defense systems.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 12, 2019

Abe shows his command over LDP in reshuffle

Abe demonstrated that he is clearly in the driver's seat, posturing his allies for advancement in the LDP ranks, keeping bandwagoners contained and edging out rivals altogether.
SUMO
Sep 12, 2019

Sumo 101: Kitanofuji

Sumo tournaments are shown daily on NHK. While the play-by-play men rotate, one ever present is acerbic color commentator Kitanofuji.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Sep 11, 2019

With Trudeau weakened by scandal, broken promises and economic worries, Canada kicks off election campaign

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, admired abroad for his progressive policies but damaged at home by scandals, kicked off a six-week re-election campaign on Wednesday with opinion polls suggesting his hold on power will be weakened.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 10, 2019

Nissan, Ghosn and Japan's legal double standards

Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa's fate suggests it's riskier to be a foreign executive in Japan when trouble is afoot.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 10, 2019

Nissan finally breaks with the Ghosn era

CEO's departure allows auto giant to focus on making and selling cars.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Sep 9, 2019

As forests burn, Bolivian leader Evo Morales' bet on Big Farming comes under fire

In the tropical Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a wealthy farming hub on the edge on the Amazon rainforest, President Evo Morales gathered with ranchers late last month to celebrate a maiden shipment of beef to China.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 7, 2019

Science hasn't found a 'gay gene' — so what?

A massive new study concludes inconclusively.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 6, 2019

South Korean ministerial nominee in cross-hairs over daughter's education perks

President Moon Jae-in's nominee for justice minister may soon take office under the cloud of a prosecution inquiry and public outcry over a scandal that has reignited debate over class privilege.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 3, 2019

Wanted: U.S. leadership in Tokyo-Seoul feud

Quelling tensions between Japan and South Korea is critical for the U.S.' broader strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 3, 2019

The Amazon fires are taking a toll on U.S. national security

Climate change threatens many U.S. military installations, especially the navy's.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 3, 2019

Gender equality starts in the laundry room

To help fix the pay gap between men and women, try closing the housework gap.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 2, 2019

Hong Kong leader says she would 'quit' if she could, fears ability to resolve crisis 'very limited'

Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said she has caused "unforgivable havoc" by igniting the political crisis engulfing the city and would quit if she had a choice, according to an audio recording of remarks she made last week to a group of businesspeople.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Sep 2, 2019

Turkish media speak of country's sporting affection for Japan

Japan's men's basketball team was completely tamed by Turkey in Sunday's FIBA World Cup contest. The Europeans bewildered the Akatsuki Five on both ends of the court and wound up earning the important "W" with a 86-67 score at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 1, 2019

Why is Bolsonaro wary of foreign Amazon aid? Ask Brazil's military

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's furious reaction to foreign criticism of his handling of Amazon fires reflects the sacred place the vast region occupies in the minds of Brazil's military, for whom the rainforest is almost a raison d'etre.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Aug 30, 2019

In Hokkaido, Japan's youngest governor seen as 'safe driver,' but critics want him to go off script

When 38-year-old Naomichi Suzuki was elected governor of Hokkaido in April, he simultaneously achieved another feat: becoming the youngest serving prefectural leader in the nation.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 29, 2019

The risks of allowing terrorist sanctuaries

Critics who want to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan are ignoring 20 years of experience.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 29, 2019

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand quits Democratic presidential race

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ended her bid for the Democratic nomination for president on Wednesday after failing to gain traction in opinion polls or qualify for the third debate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / The Argument: South Korea-Japan relations
Aug 28, 2019

Tokyo's decision to bring dispute into economic arena ruined ties

No matter how many historical or political issues exist between Japan and South Korea, friendly relations were maintained through economic ties, but such ties were severely harmed when Japan imposed trade restrictions on South Korea in July.

Longform

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