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JAPAN
Jan 22, 2010

Stop the presses — foreign media pulling out of Japan

Major foreign media outlets are leaving Japan in droves, a sign of financial difficulties at home as the news industry struggles with falling advertising revenue. But observers note that Japan is also losing its appeal as the most newsworthy country in Asia, with China now the hot spot.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 20, 2010

'New' hope, anxiety in Japan's Kanji of the Year

As the first decade of the 21st century drew to a close, the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation conducted its 15th annual Kanji of the Year poll, inviting the nation to decide which single kanji best symbolized 2009.
JAPAN
Jan 19, 2010

Nago mayor vote a referendum on base

OSAKA — In an election with major implications for Japan-U.S. relations, voters in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, will head to the polls Jan. 24 to either re-elect a mayor who supports relocating the Futenma air base nearby or install a challenger who wants the base out of the prefecture and, preferably,...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHO'S WHO
Jan 19, 2010

'Hybrids' thrive in Japan, Aussie says

Robert Gumley, general manager of Elanex Japan KK, a translation service, has learned that Japan is an easy country for foreigners to live in — if they choose to be bicultural.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 17, 2010

Time is now for MLB, NPB to act on 'True World Series'

The proposal by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to Nippon Pro Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato for a "True World Series" seemed to come out of the blue but is a most welcome idea and, as many would say, it is about time.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 15, 2010

Days of being wild

HOLLYWOOD — 'I think 'Where the Wild Things Are' is a fantastic book," says writer-director Spike Jonze.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 15, 2010

'Kondo wa Aisaika'

Japanese film marriages are as diverse as the real things, ranging from the uncommunicative couple of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Tokyo Sonata" (2008) to the doting pair of the "Tsuri Baka Nisshi" ("Dairy of a Fishing Fool") series (1988-2009), though the easy-going wife of the fishing-mad salaryman hero has...
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ICE TIME
Jan 13, 2010

Mao's change in strategy not part of the grand plan

While not giving in to those cal-ling for a coaching change, Mao Asada's decision at last month's Japan nationals to cut the number of triple axels she attempted in her free skate from two to one was significant.
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2010

Bankruptcy won't scare U.S. riders

DALLAS (Bloomberg) A Japan Airlines Corp. bankruptcy probably won't diminish demand from U.S. passengers, who have grown accustomed to flying on carriers operating under court supervision.
EDITORIALS
Jan 12, 2010

True grit to be tested

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's leadership and political resilience will be severely tested from this point as his administration deals not only with the upcoming regular Diet session but also with general government operations. The resignation of Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii, for health reasons,...
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 10, 2010

Fast fashion is not what's ailing Japan's economy

Last fall outspoken economist Noriko Hama caused a fuss with an essay about deflation in the magazine Bungei Shunju. She said that the trend of yasuuri kyoso (low price competition) was "destroying society," and not just in Japan. However, in Japan she singled out the clothing retailer Uniqlo as the...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 8, 2010

A feast for film buffs

The Japanese film industry, at least the top end where Toho and its media partners dwell, is looking forward to a prosperous 2010, with a lineup of crowd-pleasers that should thump the Hollywood competition.
JAPAN / LOOMING CHALLENGES
Jan 6, 2010

Japan urged to exploit its tech, pop culture

Last of five parts
EDITORIALS
Jan 6, 2010

New challenges for Mr. Matsui

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui's move from the New York Yankees to the Los Angeles Angels sheds light on the harsh realities Major League Baseball players face as they pursue their career. Competition is tough and team front offices coolly calculate what kinds of players they need and how much money...
EDITORIALS
Jan 6, 2010

Prime minister's top priorities

In his New Year news conference Monday, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama mentioned "protecting (people's) lives" several times. This represents his attempt not only to stress that his administration cares about people's lives but also to show his recognition that people's lives have been made difficult...
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2010

Tourism 'czar' aims high, targets Chinese

The newly appointed commissioner for the Japan Tourism Agency said he wants to raise the number of foreign visitors to more than 10 million annually during his two-year term, with special emphasis on the Chinese market.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 5, 2010

Going wireless on the move

Reader A.V. wants to get Internet service for his apartment but does not want to do it through a fixed-line service.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 3, 2010

Desperate F1 happy Schumacher's back

PARIS — That Michael Schumacher's comeback is generating such excitement shows how desperate Formula One is for a bit of good news.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Jan 3, 2010

Nature's oaken towers of power

Have you ever looked closely at the peak of a Western general's uniform cap — or that of an admiral or chief of police — or at their epaulettes?

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan