Search - article

 
 
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Mar 15, 2019

As population declines, Fukushima Prefecture to lose 15 of its 96 high schools

The Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education will reduce its number of prefecture-run high schools by 15 by the end of fiscal 2023 as the region continues to struggle with a dwindling number of students due to a declining birthrate.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Mar 14, 2019

Rookie guard Yuta Okada is shining bright for SeaHorses

As the regular season winds down, SeaHorses Mikawa rookie guard Yuta Okada continues to demonstrate impressive skills and an exciting all-around game.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Mar 13, 2019

Is flashing the peace sign in front of the Hiroshima A-bomb memorial appropriate?

The newsroom of the Chugoku Shimbun recently received a letter of complaint from a 76-year-old whose daily ritual is to take a stroll around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial every morning.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 12, 2019

Sino-U.S. rivalry raises tough choices for allies

China's response toward the Huawei CFO's extradition are a bellwether of the difficult choices Japan and other middle powers are going to face as the Sino-U.S. rivalry intensifies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Okinawa
Mar 12, 2019

Lose your wallet or cash in Okinawa? It's more than likely you'll get them back, police data shows

Lost wallets or hard cash reported to the Okinawa Prefectural Police last year had a higher chance of being returned than in the preceding four years, earning praise from foreign tourists who got their money back.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Mar 11, 2019

Japan's 2018 plastic waste shipments fall 30% after China's import ban

Following China implementing a restriction on the import of plastic waste, Japan has looked to Southeast Asia as a possible destination for its plastic rubbish.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 11, 2019

Have Japan's yuru-kyara reached critical mass? Minds behind the mascots discuss

Over the past few decades, towns, cities and prefectures throughout Japan have been churning out mascots to represent and promote themselves, resulting in an annual contest, the Yuru-kyara Grand Prix, that has come to symbolize their popularity.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 7, 2019

Missing female entrepreneurs

Creating a level playing field for female entrepreneurs will unleash the tremendous potential of this country.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Mar 6, 2019

Robot rights: From Asimov to Tezuka

Asimov's 'Three Laws of Robotics' are fictional rules, so why do we keep looking to them for guidance? The closest thing to real-world robot law we could have more seems likely to develop around the question of when autonomous military drones can make 'kill' decisions without human intervention.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 6, 2019

After almost a year behind the wheel, Tokyo's foreign cab drivers reflect on navigating a new way of life

Growing up in Canada, Alex Lipson never imagined he would one day become a taxi driver — especially not on the other side of the world in Tokyo.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 6, 2019

U.S. sends B-52s for missions over disputed South and East China seas and around Japan

A U.S. B-52 bomber was sent near disputed islands in the South China Sea and another circumnavigated Japan, conducting joint military exercises with the Air Self-Defense Force, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said Wednesday.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Mar 4, 2019

Japan sees high demand for coins in final year of Heisei Era

A set of commemorative coins, released to mark the final year of the Heisei era, has seen high demand from buyers, leading to a lottery for those who wish to purchase a set.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 4, 2019

Few foreign residents aware of public nursing care plan but more expected to tap it as Japan grays

The number of foreign people living and retiring in Japan is expected to increase following the overhaul of the nation's immigration control law in April, which will introduce new types of working visas.
JAPAN
Mar 3, 2019

Prime minister to show Crown Prince Naruhito options for new Japanese era name

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month plans to show Crown Prince Naruhito multiple names, one of which might be chosen and used when a new Imperial era begins on May 1, government sources said Saturday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Mar 2, 2019

Reaction to Niigata bullying video reflects changing attitudes in Japan

A video of a first-year high school student in Niigata being bullied appeared online in mid-February and quickly became a topic of discussion. The clip shows a group of male students pushing, kicking and eventually striking the victim with a stick, all while throwing insults the victim’s way, too....
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 2, 2019

Uighur restaurants in Tokyo: Finding heaven through food

The Xinjiang region of China goes relatively unnoticed for its distinct cuisine, though it has certainly garnered international attention in other respects.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 1, 2019

For Japan, 'no deal' at Kim-Trump summit beats a bad deal with concessions to nuclear North Korea

At a glance, this week's Kim-Trump summit meeting in Hanoi, held to foster progress toward the denuclearization of North Korea, generated few tangible victories — despite U.S. President Donald Trump's boasts of the "tremendous" achievements he had expected.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2019

SDF draws fire for recruitment poster featuring female anime characters in skimpy costumes

A Self-Defense Forces recruitment office in Shiga Prefecture has caused a stir by releasing a poster that features female anime characters wearing super-short skirts, which expose what appear to be underwear. Some people have described the image as a form of sexual harassment.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Mar 1, 2019

Fukui’s Obama: Overshadowed by a president

Although the presidential-themed euphoria surrounding the city of Obama has faded, the area's very tangible cultural legacies make it well worth a visit for the foodie and the history buff alike.
Reader Mail
Mar 1, 2019

Do all we can to protect the children

The editorial "Response to child abuse long overdue" in the Feb. 11 edition led me to ponder the safety of children.
Reader Mail
Mar 1, 2019

Morioka has plenty going for it

Katherine Whatley's recent piece, "Morioka: Crafts, poetry and Tohoku's bleak nature" in the Feb. 23 edition, in which she filters her experience of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, through the grim poetry of Kenji Miyazawa, seems a classic example of a tourist with preconceived notions seeing only what she...
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 28, 2019

Vote highlights problems with Henoko plan

The vitally important Futenma replacement facility shouldn't be built on a pack of lies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 26, 2019

The accidental Atlanticist

Europeans must heed Mike Pence's dark warnings to achieve Joe Biden's bright vision
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2019

How a film influenced Nixon's decision to invade Cambodia

Popular culture plays an underestimated role in shaping policymakers' world views and choices.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji