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COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Dec 30, 2018

Hard work, nonstop play in the world of Japanese TV

It is hard to imagine Dave Spector doing anything else. Although tempting to call the fun- and pun-loving force of energy that is Spector a workaholic, he enjoys what he does so much that his palpable passion makes 'playholic' more accurate.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 25, 2018

Easy win for Benjamin Netanyahu predicted in first poll since announcement of snap Israel election

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will easily win a snap election set for April 9, according to an opinion poll on Tuesday, the first to be published since the ballot was announced.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 21, 2018

Departure of Jim Mattis stirs world of worries from Brussels to Beijing

The abrupt resignation of U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has governments from Seoul to Brussels on edge, as the reliability of American alliances and the direction of policy under an erratic leader comes increasingly under question.
Japan Times
Special Supplements
Dec 21, 2018

A tasty lesson in tradition for elementary school students

On Dec. 7, fifth graders at Oji Daigo Elementary School in Tokyo's Kita Ward had the chance to fry up and feast on umami-rich pork using shiokōji, a traditional Japanese fermented condiment.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 10, 2018

New Zealand grapples with China's influence and intimidation

In April 2010, there was a scandal over the Confucius Institute at Osaka Sangyo University in Osaka. During meetings discussing a proposed relocation of the institute between campuses, the director of the University Affairs Board denounced it as a "cultural spy agency" for China and "a 'soft landing'...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 5, 2018

'jam': Comedy with a touch of 'Misery'

The films of Sabu — the pseudonym of actor-turned-director Hiroyuki Tanaka — are typically about guys on the move, be it as a troubled soul on a journey ("Blessing Bell") or a crook on the run ("Unlucky Monkey"). The object is usually laughs, though Sabu has also forayed into the serious ("The Crab...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 28, 2018

Mystery man who boasts he can shift the Nikkei with a single tweet to release tell-all book in Japan

The man who claims he can move domestic equity markets with a single tweet is planning to release a book on his trading philosophy.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 23, 2018

Divided by war, young Israelis and Gazans tell their stories via Instagram

In another part of the world they might have gone to the same schools or be sharing WiFi in the same coffee shops.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 13, 2018

Top military officer confirms Chinese Air Force plan to 'extend reach into space'

The Chinese Air Force intends to expand its presence into space as part of its plan to become a "world-class force," state-run media reported Tuesday, quoting top military officers.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Nov 10, 2018

Illustrators use social media to highlight the minutiae of everyday life in Japan

Garbage collectors perform a service that is essential to the functioning of society, and yet their contributions are often overlooked. Whatever a person’s social standing, however, it doesn’t mean their observations on life aren’t worth examining.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 6, 2018

Aspiration over action in Japan's approach to health innovation

Policy actions will be required to enable Japan to harness its technical strengths in the life sciences, robotics and digital innovations to become a global hub for pursuing next-level health innovations.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 2, 2018

The new tyranny of the dollar

Under U.S. President Donald Trump, however, a sophisticated set of tools known as secondary sanctions has become a bludgeon with which to threaten allies.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 20, 2018

'Terrace House' opens its doors to LGBTQ members in Japan

Warning: The following may contain minor spoilers for "Terrace House: Opening New Doors."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 13, 2018

Kizuna AI's NHK appearance sparks debate on social media

Do virtual YouTubers dream of online controversy? Maybe not but they sure are good at courting it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 9, 2018

Northeast Asia as seen from Okinawa

Tokyo will continue to be the capital that is most concerned about North Korean medium-range ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 7, 2018

LIVEBLOG: Kei Nishikori vs Daniil Medvedev at Rakuten Japan Open

Live commentary on the Rakuten Japan Open final, in which Kei Nishikori is playing Daniil Medvedev for the trophy.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 5, 2018

Brett Kavanaugh does not belong on Supreme Court, retired Justice John Paul Stevens says

Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens said on Thursday that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh does not belong on the high court because of "potential bias" he showed in his recent Senate confirmation hearing.
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2018

'Outrageous prejudice': Publisher suspends publication of Shincho 45 following furor in LGBT community

Shinchosha Publishing announced its Shincho 45 magazine will effectively fold after carrying articles that its president said contained “outrageous prejudice” against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Sep 23, 2018

Abe's work-style reforms give Japan's employers the green light to demand unpaid and unsafe overtime

New law caps overtime at unhealthy levels and sets up a system that will legitimize the principle of working for nothing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Sep 22, 2018

Will Don Quijote tilt its lance at the Amazon giant?

A somewhat cynical commentary attributed to the late American TV comedian Jackie Gleason goes, "Anybody who says money can't buy happiness doesn't know where to shop."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Sep 19, 2018

Warning to Naomi Osaka: Playing for Japan can seriously shorten your career

Naomi Osaka's decision to represent the country she left at the age of 3 may be good for her bottom line but not necessarily her longevity.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 18, 2018

Hokkaido's famous ski resort area Niseko seeks to promote its safety after powerful quake

With the Hokkaido tourism industry estimating losses of around ¥29 billion from the recent deadly earthquake, due to widespread hotel cancellations following the disaster, Niseko, a famous ski resort in the prefecture that escaped relatively unscathed from the quake, is seeking to promote its safety...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 11, 2018

What wild sheep can teach humans about leadership

Do certain bighorns pioneer migrations? Or do herds tap into crowd wisdom?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 8, 2018

Japan gaming industry group to bolster educational activities in bid to prevent kids from becoming addicted

Association plans to introduce parents to apps and other tools that restrict the amount of time their child can play video games
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 6, 2018

Facebook, Twitter on defense in U.S. Congress over foreign bids to tilt polls, politics

Top executives from Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. defended their companies in the U.S. Congress on Wednesday over what lawmakers see as a failure to combat continuing foreign efforts to influence U.S. politics.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Sep 5, 2018

Dog tale bites judge: His tweets muzzled, Japan's 'Judge White Briefs' faces his own trial

Disciplinary hearings for outspoken jurist over a dog-dumping story can only damage Japan's judiciary.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 29, 2018

U.S. military says it has no plans to suspend more major exercises on Korean Peninsula

The U.S. military has no plans yet to suspend any more major military exercises with South Korea, the defense secretary said Tuesday amid a breakdown in diplomacy with North Korea over its nuclear weapons.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 28, 2018

The Louvre has a new seat of power

Kohei Nawa talks about his 3-ton golden 'Throne,' which takes a seat of honor at the Louvre as one of the works for Japonismes 2018, Paris' large-scale event celebrating 160 years of France-Japan relations.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami