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LIFE
Mar 30, 2000

A gathering of cultures and characters

Surrounded by trees, birdsong and a riot of cherry blossoms as you head up the hill into the nature preserve surrounding Tokurinji Temple, you can easily forget that a moment ago you were in the middle of Nagoya, one of Japan's largest cities. When you enter the temple grounds during the annual Hana...
LIFE / Travel / NATURE TRAVEL
Oct 6, 1999

Nature nurtured by the Dead Sea

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing alive in this sea; neither fish nor algae nor molluscs, only rocks and salt, candid saline formations that rise from the water like ghostly coral."
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 13, 2023

The race to win the AI competition could doom us all

Some of the downsides of Silicon Valley are a readiness to ignore dangers and seek immediate returns, especially as it pertains to AI.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 14, 2023

Ukraine’s envoy to Japan goes all in as a wartime ambassador

Sergiy Korsunsky finds little time to rest as he works to support evacuees, assist the war effort and plan for what comes after peace is achieved.
PODCAST / deep dive
Apr 5, 2023

What should you expect when you land a job in Japan?

What is it like to work in Japan? With the number of foreign residents slowly rising, we take a look at what they might be in for when it comes to the country’s corporate culture.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 5, 2023

Trump charged with 34 felonies in hush-money case

Trump was indicted last week on charges connected to a hush money payment to a porn star — becoming the first former American president to face criminal charges.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 28, 2023

Translations and books about Japan for your 2023 reading list

From Osamu Dazai to Yu Miri, the year ahead promises of trove of books about Japan and newly translated literature.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 26, 2022

Charles charts a path as a king for all holiday seasons

Adding a Hanukkah party and Diwali treats to the traditional Christmas address, King Charles III is publicly embracing a more inclusive monarchy in his first months.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 23, 2022

In the land of baseball, sumo and soccer share a close relationship

Japan's national sport and the 'beautiful game' have formed many ties over the years, with even top-ranked wrestlers attending matches and taking part in promotional events.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 25, 2022

New U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warns of ‘profound economic challenge’

Sunak faces a formidable challenge to steady the U.K. economy in the face of headwinds including double-digit inflation, rising interest rates and a surge in mortgage costs.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 12, 2022

It's Shotime!: Shohei Ohtani and the future of baseball

Sports writer Jason Coskrey and editor Dave Cortez join new Deep Dive host Jason Jenkins to discuss baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani and the future of the sport he has committed his life to mastering.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 3, 2022

To counter China’s 'reactive assertiveness,' 'quiet deterrence' is called for

Beijing is using calculated aggression to enforce its will in the Taiwan Strait.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 24, 2022

Why Russian nationalists are a big target for both sides

Ukraine and the Kremlin have strong reasons to fear an uncompromising radical vision of a revived Russian empire.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 23, 2022

Discouraging dissent makes for bad decision-making

Neither the Russian nor Chinese leadership encourage dissent or even invite challenges, which according to real-world experience suggests a virtual guarantee they will experience failure in their decision-making.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 4, 2022

'Let Me Hear It Barefoot': Charming love story spins its wheels

Given the variety of LGBTQ experiences now depicted on screen, the term “gay-themed” sounds like a catch-all. What links the films of Ryosuke Hashiguchi, which reference his own life as an openly gay man, and the steamy, dreamy flicks adapted from BL (boys’ love) comics besides the sexual orientation...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 2, 2022

Visa must face claim it profited from Pornhub video of child

The company says the decision raises questions about the liability payments firms could shoulder as they handle billions of transactions.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Mar 30, 2022

How Ukraine has kept Russia's army at bay in villages near Kyiv

Russian advances have been halted by small, mobile Ukrainian units wielding anti-tank weapons shipped in from abroad.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 27, 2022

The making of Vladimir Putin

As China rose, as the U.S. fought and lost its forever wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as technology networked the world, a Russian enigma took form in the Kremlin.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY
Mar 22, 2022

Artificial intelligence gets scarier and scarier

AI technologies are the most powerful tools that have been developed in generations — perhaps even in human history — and with such advancements come a magnitude of dangers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 6, 2022

‘Eleven Winters of Discontent’: The nightmare that began after World War II

Sherzod Muminov's well-researched academic study identifies explanations for Joseph Stalin's decision to intern half a million Japanese prisoners of war in Soviet work camps.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 17, 2022

China’s gamble on a new Olympic strategy pays off in gold medals

China's most successful Winter Olympics team ever is a motley lineup that includes the son of hockey legend Chris Chelios, a former child actor and a Louis Vuitton model.
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Oct 30, 2021

Will the Komuros start to see good news now they’re wed?

Now that Princess Mako has married Kei Komuro, will the media begin to reflect on its coverage of their time in the spotlight? For Princess Kako's sake, let's hope so.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Oct 16, 2021

When the boss starts behaving like a dictator

Like a political dictator, the corporate tyrant sets things up to stay in power, according to experts. They suppress the talented and reward those who are loyal.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Sep 11, 2021

Believe it or not, ‘expensive’ Japan is actually underpriced

Tokyo's reputation as an expensive city was debunked by Diamond's comparisons of prices for various consumer items in different cities around the world.
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Sep 4, 2021

What makes a funny joke? Only time can really tell.

Humor has been used throughout history to alleviate the pain we feel in dealing with real-life calamities. However, at what point to the jokes themselves become the agents of harm?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jul 17, 2021

Time to ourselves is both a curse and a blessing

The wave of loneliness that afflicts modern Japan continues, but an athlete from Myanmar sends a warning not to take what we have for granted.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jun 6, 2021

Ash Hudson: From outfitting hip-hop's icons to finding new inspiration in Japan

Albion 'Ash' Hudson's Conart streetwear brand defined the fashion of many rappers in the 1990s. His designs are now popping up on new acts such as Travis Scott and BTS.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 8, 2021

Animals used in sport need more than viral videos to prevent abuse

Footage of a jockey kicking his horse in the face during a live broadcast sparked a needed conversation, but the media needs to educate more on animal welfare.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 19, 2021

Trust me, you don’t want to be China's biggest billionaire

Conspicuous wealth attracts unwanted scrutiny. Beijing is wary of rich developers because they often load up on debt, thereby putting corporate China's financial health at risk.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 18, 2021

‘See-Through’: Kumi Takahara shines on ambient album with classical roots

A classically trained violinist experiments with her instrument, scratching and sliding on the strings to create 10 contemporary soundscapes.

Longform

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