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Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / 2020 in review
Dec 16, 2020

One anime to slay them all: How Japanese film fared in 2020

The film industry was hit hard by the pandemic, with the closure of theaters and festivals moving online. However, that's what made the triumph of “Demon Slayer” all the more surprising.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 16, 2020

‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish’: An impressive debut full of empathy

Kotaro Tamura's feature delivers some of the best animation this year and has a well-rounded character with a disability as the protagonist.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 14, 2020

'Demon Slayer' close to surpassing 'Spirited Away' as Japan's top-grossing film

The tale of a boy fighting human-eating demons which murdered his family, 'Demon Slayer' is poised to become Japan's top-grossing film ever, thanks to a boost in fan numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic and its message of resilience.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 8, 2020

Zombie companies feed off the living

Like their namesakes, zombies feed off the living. They are companies that should close their doors but don't, cannibalizing healthy businesses, depriving them of customers and income.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 3, 2020

‘Mrs. Noisy’: Loving your neighbor can be tough

Chihiro Amano's humorous film about rowdy next-door neighbors coming to blows makes a well-meaning plea for tolerance and kindness toward others.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 26, 2020

'Anime Architecture' brings out the beauty in the details

Stefan Riekeles' book puts a spotlight on the background work that informs the ambience of anime's intricate worlds.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 11, 2020

‘Life: Untitled’: The fables and foibles of sex work

Kana Yamada's film about a motley crew of employees at an escort agency called Crazy Bunny is based on her own stage play.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 11, 2020

‘Sakura’: A family held together by dogged devotion

Hitoshi Yazaki turns Kana Nishino's novel about a family overcoming tragedy with the help of their dog into an amiable but wildly uneven drama.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2020

Sushi and canned coffee get unlikely boost from record-breaking ‘Demon Slayer’ movie

Promotional tie-ins with the hit film have boosted Kura Sushi and Dydo's sales.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 23, 2020

‘Demon Slayer’ destroyed box-office records despite the pandemic, but why?

“Demon Slayer” shocked the film industry with its pandemic-defying opening weekend. But in truth, COVID-19 may have helped boost its popularity.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 21, 2020

‘Ainu Mosir’: A coming-of-age tale, respectfully told

Takeshi Fukunaga's film centered on the indigenous people of northern Japan tells the story of a 14-year-old boy learning to appreciate his heritage.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Oct 1, 2020

‘Tenet’ triumphs at the Japanese box office

Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic may not be doing well in the U.S., but in Japan, the film has held the No. 1 box-office slot for two weeks.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Sep 25, 2020

The subversive happiness of Tom of Finland’s men

The exhibition, which is the first solo show of Touko Valio Laaksonen artwork in Japan, comes on the 100th anniversary of the artist's birth.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 6, 2020

Activists call for ‘Mulan’ boycott over star’s Hong Kong stance

Activists are calling for a boycott of Disney’s live-action "Mulan” remake, citing a social media post from the lead actress in support of Hong Kong police.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 27, 2020

‘Soiree’: Melancholy drama casts a beautiful spell

Bunji Sotoyama's intimate late-summer drama about a couple who take flight from their hometown is evocative and emotional.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Aug 23, 2020

Alexei Navalny, being treated in Germany, looms over Russian politics

How the incident will affect Russia's political scene will hinge in part on Navalny's longer-term condition and whether he will be able to return home, analysts said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 21, 2020

Putin critic Alexei Navalny fights for his life as aides suspect poisoning

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was fighting for his life in a Siberian hospital on Thursday after drinking tea that his allies believe was laced with poison.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 5, 2020

This is the hard-liner China chose to oversee Hong Kong security

Artist. Propagandist. Urban planning enthusiast. Traditional Chinese medicine student. Zheng Yanxiong doesn’t fit the usual mold of a top Communist Party security agent.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 16, 2020

China's economy rebounds in second quarter after steep slump

Authorities are widely expected to maintain policy support in the second half to bolster the revival, despite concerns over rising debt risks.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 16, 2020

‘Theatre: A Love Story’: No sparks in this tortured romance

Based on a novel by comedian-turned-author Naoki Matayoshi, “Theatre: A Love Story” centers on a narcissistic playwright and his long-suffering girlfriend.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 15, 2020

Trump and Putin by the book

Both leaders were long prefigured in classic works of political satire.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 28, 2020

Rebooting Japan's movie business, one theater at a time

As Tokyo moves forward with plans to reduce social distancing measures in stages, movie theaters look to draw audiences back to the silver screen.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 28, 2020

Tokyo joins world film festivals for 10-day YouTube event

Tokyo International Film Festival's competition programmer says that We Are One is just the start of a more digital-friendly future for festivals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 14, 2020

Britain’s plan to get economy working again doesn’t seem to be working

The British government’s call to restart the economy may have sounded good, but there’s little evidence the country is taking heed.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Apr 30, 2020

Forget about anime production delays by streaming these classics

Many anime releases have been delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but in the meantime, with their vast libraries of anime films and series, streaming services can tide us over.
CULTURE / Film
Apr 30, 2020

Independent cinema campaign meets donation goal

A crowdfunding campaign to save art houses reaches its donation goal as Japan's film industry grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan