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EDITORIALS
Jan 15, 2019

Hostage diplomacy becomes new normal

While not unprecedented, the recent spate of hostage-taking incidents looks like a new normal in international diplomacy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 15, 2019

America's cold warriors hold the key to handling China

The West needs a plan for China like it had against the Soviet Union.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Jan 15, 2019

Takahiko Kozuka aiming to enrich skating

When a skater's career comes to an end, they are often faced with a difficult choice about how to proceed with their life.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 14, 2019

India risks becoming a Hindu Pakistan

A new law targeting Muslim migrants threatens India's identity as a land for all creeds.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Jan 14, 2019

Using 'kaneru' incorrectly is something we simply cannot do

The verb u304bu306du308b is slightly complicated. It translates as “being unable to” and is often attached to a verb (X) in its masu-stem form (the masu-form with u307eu3059 removed).
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 14, 2019

World awash in sustainable palm oil, but consumers unwilling to pay premium for environmentally friendly supply

The world's biggest growers of palm oil say they're stepping up efforts to produce the contentious commodity more sustainably, but consumers are unwilling to pay more for environmentally friendly supply.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 12, 2019

Aki Fujita Taguchi on life behind the camera

Rock photographer Aki Fujita Taguchi reveals how to snap the essence of a band in just three songs.
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 11, 2019

In 2019, how hungry is Japan for whale meat?

Japan is currently the object of criticism for its decision to leave the International Whaling Commission, and resume commercial whaling in territorial waters and its own exclusive economic zone. People who support the move cite either cultural reasons — Japan traditionally, they assert, is a whale-eating...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 11, 2019

Japan an underdeveloped country for women

Despite its rich, industrialized economy, Japan has yet to achieve much progress in equality between men and women.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 11, 2019

Documents show Ghosn's Renault lieutenant drew extra salary via holding; board unaware of payment

One of Renault boss Carlos Ghosn's senior executives received an additional six-figure salary unknown to the carmaker's board via the Dutch joint venture overseeing its alliance with Nissan, according to sources and documents seen by Reuters.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 10, 2019

Trump's pick for top lawyer will let Robert Mueller finish Russia probe, says GOP's Lindsey Graham

President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee, William Barr, has said he will allow special counsel Robert Mueller to finish the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 9, 2019

Two left feet: Australian leader Scott Morrison tripped up by doctored family photo

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was left red-faced on Wednesday after a family photograph, doctored by his staff, inadvertently left him with two left feet — an embarrassing image as he tries to end missteps months before an election.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 9, 2019

More and more Americans blame Trump for U.S. government shutdown: poll

A growing proportion of Americans blame President Donald Trump for a partial government shutdown that will cut off paychecks to federal workers this week, though Republicans mostly support his refusal to approve a budget without taxpayer dollars for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, according to a Reuters/Ipsos...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2019

Stop 2019 from being a year of increased state control

The predictions of democratic failure in the face of authoritarian power will come true only if publics allow it.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 6, 2019

Poll of over 25,000 Britons finds more would now vote to stay in EU, want second referendum

More Britons want to their country to remain a member of the European Union than leave, according to a survey published Sunday which also showed voters want to make the final decision themselves.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 6, 2019

Nuclear arms: A year of living dangerously

U.S. President Donald Trump's disdain for international institutions and rules established him as the disrupter in chief of the global nuclear order.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Jan 5, 2019

Takehiko Nakamura: Kicking around the U.S. for a career in soccer

A U.S. education, says sports fan Nakamura, helped him score a goal in life.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 5, 2019

As U.S. shutdown talks falter, Trump threatens emergency powers to build wall

U.S. President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial shutdown of the U.S. government as they again fought over Trump's request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2019

Dapper new Kim Jong Un is playing an old game

The best U.S. approach to North Korea can be summed up in two words: strategic patience.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / 2019 Outlook
Jan 2, 2019

Japan already in for politically hectic 2019, but may see 'double election'

Japan's 2019 political calendar is shaping up to be a busy year with Emperor Akihito's historic abdication at the end of April and elections in mid-April and over the summer.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 31, 2018

Democratic Republic of Congo opposition, ruling coalition both say they have won chaotic election

Democratic Republic of Congo's opposition said Monday it expects one of its candidates to win the presidential election based on early vote tallies, but the ruling coalition said it was confident its candidate had won the chaotic contest.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 31, 2018

Japan in 2019: 10 surprises

The outlook for Japan in 2019 is bright.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2018

Behind the myth of China's great technology grab

The issue of forced transfers is overstated. Carmakers know how to safeguard their most advanced know-how.
Reader Mail
Dec 28, 2018

Leaving the IWC won't solve anything

Japan's decision to leave the International Whaling Commission ("Japan to leave IWC and resume whaling" in the Dec. 27 edition) is indeed a big blow to the global efforts in whale conservation.
Reader Mail
Dec 28, 2018

Medical patients can win in the end

The Big in Japan column titled "Second opinion: Should you trust your doctor?" in the Dec. 9 edition was a good opportunity to rethink how to consult a doctor.

Longform

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.
What comes after 100?