Search - 2020

 
 
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2020

Communications ministry asks NHK to cut viewing fees further

Communications minister Sanae Takaichi asked NHK on Wednesday to make further cuts to its subscription fees.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 5, 2020

Preventing the 'Japanification' of East Asia's economies

The former 'tigers' must tackle structural weaknesses to avoid a low-growth future
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 4, 2020

Hilton chases post-Olympic gold by bringing new luxury hotel brand to Kyoto in 2021

The Hilton group said Tuesday it will open a hotel under its newest luxury brand in Kyoto in autumn 2021, counting on a further upswell in lodging demand from tourists even after the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 4, 2020

Tesla up 20% after Panasonic posts first quarterly profit at battery business

Tesla Inc.'s stock surged 20 percent on Monday in its largest one-day gain since 2013, fueled by a quarterly profit at Panasonic's battery business with the U.S. carmaker and an investor report predicting its shares would rise more than ten-fold by 2024.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 3, 2020

Coronavirus forces world's largest telework experiment

Thanks to the coronavirus outbreak, working from home is no longer a privilege, it's a necessity.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Feb 2, 2020

Justice chief Masako Mori defends Japan's judicial system but says debate could spark change

Justice Minister Masako Mori has hinted the government may push for amending the criminal justice system if debate over its fairness continues at the national level.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 31, 2020

Economist who counted $40 billion cost from SARS predicts far bigger hit from new coronavirus

The global cost of the coronavirus could be three or four times that of the 2003 SARS outbreak, which sapped the world's economy by $40 billion, according to the economist who calculated the SARS figure.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 29, 2020

Tokushoryu's unlikely run among sumo's best surprises

January 2020 served up one of the best sumo tournaments of recent times.
BUSINESS
Jan 29, 2020

Starbucks shuts half of its China stores amid virus outbreak

Starbucks Corp. has closed more than half of its mainland China locations because of a viral outbreak that has disrupted lives in the coffee chain's most important growth market.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jan 28, 2020

Japan coach Julio Lamas outlines goals for team before upcoming Asia Cup qualifiers

Japan men's national team head coach Julio Lamas said that it wasn't a surprise that his team didn't play as well as it had hoped to at last year's FIBA World Cup.
JAPAN
Jan 28, 2020

Olympic preparations putting damper on work for Tokyo gubernatorial election

Administrative work related to the Tokyo gubernatorial election in July has been affected by preparations for the Summer Olympics starting later that month.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 26, 2020

Walking the talk of stakeholder capitalism

Company boards must also figure out how to integrate shareholder value with corporate responsibility.
JAPAN
Jan 26, 2020

Ambitious Zero Emission Tokyo plan wins praise, but begs for action

Just days before the new year, Gov. Yuriko Koike revealed the Zero Emission Tokyo Strategy, the capital's long-awaited plan to eliminate carbon emissions, transition to renewable energy and take the lead in the fight against global warming.
ENVIRONMENT
Jan 25, 2020

Japan 2030: Tackling climate issues is key to the next decade

The new decade kicked off with images of Australia in flames.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 24, 2020

Contraction in Japan's factory activity slowing, easing recession fears

Factory activity contracted for a ninth straight month in January but at the slowest pace in five months, possibly reflecting easing U.S.-China trade tensions and alleviating fears of a recession.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 22, 2020

The U.S.-Iran crisis and Tokyo's response

Stability in the Persian Gulf region is crucial for Japan's energy security.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 22, 2020

In the competition for Southeast Asia influence, Japan is the sleeper

Tokyo's insistence on the value of a rules-based order, the heart of its Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, has sunk in.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 20, 2020

In policy speech, Abe vows to establish 'new era of Japanese diplomacy'

The prime minister Monday focused his speech on foreign policy, delivering a notable change in phrasing regarding South Korea.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / The Climate Crisis
Jan 18, 2020

Balance of power: Redefining Japan's energy needs

Sitting silently among the rolling pastures, rice paddies and lush forests of the idyllic village of Otama are rows upon rows of photovoltaic solar panels — vast swaths of dark gray injecting dissonance into the postcard-like landscape local residents pride themselves on.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 18, 2020

A transformative deal for nature

Protecting biodiversity will require a whole-of-society effort and strong government commitments.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 16, 2020

In Hong Kong 'collapse,' government falls months behind on collecting taxes

Hong Kong is behind on its taxes.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2020

Doubts linger after U.S. and China ink initial trade deal

China will boost spending on U.S. products in exchange for rolling back of some tariffs under an initial trade deal signed by the world's two largest economies Wednesday, defusing an 18-month row but leaving numerous thorny issues unresolved.
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Jan 16, 2020

Why English translation needs the native touch

Japan is a country that prides itself on focusing on the smallest details, so why do incorrect English translations plague signage across the country?
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 15, 2020

Toronto midfielder Tsubasa Endoh awaits breakthrough moment for MLS in Japan

When newly minted FC Cincinnati striker Yuya Kubo makes his MLS debut in March, few will be more eager to welcome him than Tsubasa Endoh.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 13, 2020

We own the problems — and the solutions

Now is the time to take action to improve one's life instead of just discussing action.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear