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Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2015

Netanyahu accepts Boehner's invite to address U.S. Congress in March on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday he will address the U.S. Congress during a March visit likely to drive home differences with the Obama administration over whether to impose additional sanctions on Tehran.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2015

Eight civilians reported killed in shelling of Donetsk trolley stop; foes blame each other

An artillery shell or mortar round struck a public transport stop in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, killing at least eight civilians in an incident both sides blamed on the other.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jan 22, 2015

Spectacular Cahill kicks Australia past China

Tim Cahill came to Australia's rescue again on Thursday, scoring two goals, one of them among the most spectacular ever seen at an Asian Cup, to lead the host-nation into the semifinals.
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2015

Japanese officials silent as hostage clock ticks

As Tokyo insists it has not 'received any contact' from the Islamic State group, the nation wonders what will happen to the two men it has taken hostage.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 22, 2015

Makoto Ozone set to step out with his other family

During his years in New York, pianist Makoto Ozone fronted a number of small combos and gigged with such heavyweights as Branford Marsalis, Gary Burton and Christian McBride. But the collaborators he has come back to time and time again are his Japan-based big band, No Name Horses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2015

Abe forced to walk a fine line in oil-rich Middle East

The seizure of two Japanese nationals by the Islamic State militant group is raising questions about Japan's Middle East policies and the effectiveness of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brand of personal diplomacy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 22, 2015

Jiro Oyamada's dark side exposes his highlights

When it comes to selecting "tortured artists" — those driven to create from the deep wells of their souls by immense suffering — the 20th-century Japanese painter Jiro Oyamada must seem like a shoo-in. The Fuchu Art Museum, in the western suburbs of Tokyo, is now celebrating the 100th anniversary...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2015

Scholar offers secure way for employees to blow the whistle

One man is on a quest to create transparency in Japan with a whistleblower website that has echoes of Wikileaks and promises high-tech anonymity.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 22, 2015

Improved 'competitiveness' key to wage hikes, labor chief says

Restoring industrial competitiveness is the key to fueling wage gains that the Abe government and the central bank are counting on to ensure inflation takes hold, according to labor minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 22, 2015

Aging Japanese prove rich pickings for investment fraud

A growing number of retirees in Japan are falling victim to fraud, underscoring one of the downsides of promoting personal investment in the world's most aged nation.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 22, 2015

Israeli arrested over Madonna song leak

An Israeli man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of hacking Madonna's computer and selling the pop icon's songs online, a private investigator involved in the case said.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 22, 2015

In Obama snub, Boehner asks Netanyahu to address Congress mulling Iran bill

House Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress next month as lawmakers weigh legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 22, 2015

Guantanamo inmate details torture in first book from Cuba prison

The first book published by a longtime Guantanamo Bay inmate that describes torture, humiliation and despair during 13 years in captivity was selling briskly in the United States on Wednesday and drawing hard-won attention to his case.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 21, 2015

Editors are killing U.S. political cartooning

The Charlie Hebdo massacre couldn't have happened in the U.S. because no American newspaper employs more than one political cartoonist, and most have none.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015

Mystery: 'Asian sensuality against the backdrop of polluted cities'

'Fifty shades of pitch black" is an apt way to describe "Mystery." It's a feel-awful anti-love film that should come with a huge warning label for anyone contemplating marriage or even a long-term commitment. On the other hand, it's a raw and compelling look at contemporary Chinese society, as the emerging...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2015

Honda warns against 'stupid' loans driving U.S. sales gains

A top U.S. executive at Honda Motor Co. said competitors are doing "stupid things" to boost auto sales, including making seven-year-long car loans that harm buyers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2015

Abe could ease doubts by apologizing over WWII, says former leader Fukuda

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could help remove international doubts about Japan's stance toward its wartime past by apologizing over World War II in a statement he is planning to help mark the 70th anniversary of the war's end, said Yasuo Fukuda, one of Abe's predecessors.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2015

Obama's State of the Union speech shows populism has gone mainstream in U.S. politics

President Barack Obama reached into his party's progressive past to deliver a robust endorsement of higher taxes for the wealthy, government intervention in the economy and an array of new benefits for lower- and middle-income Americans.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 21, 2015

James Patterson to launch explosive 'Private Vegas'

James Patterson, already among the world's best-selling authors, plans to shake up the publishing industry with the launch of his new novel, "Private Vegas," which will self-destruct within 24 hours.
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Business leaders confident of recovery in coming year

This is definitely the year in which Japan will end its deflationary spiral.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Switzerland and Japan celebrate 150th anniversary of their diplomatic relations

Switzerland, which is home to Davos, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan. The Japan Times had an opportunity to interview Swiss Ambassador to Japan Urs Bucher on the bilateral relationship. He has been the ambassador in Tokyo since October 2010.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Carrying on 'washi' paper tradition

"Washi," or traditional Japanese handmade paper, was officially added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list last November. It is a remarkable accomplishment that the nation's traditional culture has achieved such recognition for the second year in a row, following the inclusion of "washoku" traditional...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2015

Islamic State threatens to kill two Japanese hostages

In an online video, the Islamic State group threatens to kill two Japanese citizens unless Tokyo pays a ransom of $200 million within 72 hours.
COMMENTARY
Jan 20, 2015

U.K. Muslims' 'special burden'

Do Muslim minorities in Britain and other European countries have a special burden to help track down Islamic extremists?
COMMENTARY
Jan 20, 2015

Proven scare tactics serve Putin well

President Vladimir Putin knows that the canny use of fear and forgiveness will allow him to retain his grip on power.
COMMENTARY
Jan 20, 2015

The Swiss just made Japan's job more difficult

Bank of Japan head Haruhiko Kuroda's monetary 'bazooka' just got outgunned by the Swiss.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Jan 20, 2015

Recipe: Spaghetti Napolitan

On Aug. 30, 1945, newly appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed at Atsugi Airport in Yokohama and headed straight to an elegant hotel overlooking the harbor that had escaped destruction during the war. The Hotel New Grand served as his headquarters for three days,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 20, 2015

The meat and masochism of Swans

When Swans last played Tokyo in 2013, the venue itself seemed to be groaning under the weight of the onslaught. Two hours into a set of tempestuous rock catharsis, the power cut out; once restored, the group kept playing for another 30 minutes.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo