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Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 3, 2019

China hints U.S. blacklist imminent in threat to trade talks

Chinese state media said Tuesday that the government will soon publish a list of "unreliable entities" that could lead to sanctions against U.S. companies, signaling trade talks between the two nations are increasingly under threat from disputes over human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 2, 2019

SoftBank's startup bookkeeping draws scrutiny after WeWork fiasco

In early 2018, the founders of Chinese artificial intelligence startup SenseTime Group Ltd. flew to Tokyo to see billionaire investor Masayoshi Son. As they entered the offices, Chief Executive Officer Xu Li was hoping to persuade the head of SoftBank Group Corp. to invest $200 million in his three-year-old...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Dec 1, 2019

Fostering confidence in the classroom and beyond

With over 25 years of global experience in education, Nicholas Gunn is driven by the responsibility to help children develop into individuals who can confidently make their way through the world.
Reader Mail
Nov 29, 2019

Education reform requires quality English speakers

The Nov. 17 edition carried a couple interesting letters concerning the futility of English-language reform in Japanese education. David John's "English reform an exercise in nothingness" and Clifford H. Clarke's "Education reform needs deeper look" both state the necessity of reform beginning with the...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 28, 2019

Top 10: Where to go skiing and snowboarding in Japan this winter

Winter is approaching fast and with it Japan becomes a bucket list destination on the mind of any skier and snowboarder, with fresh powder snow and Etch A Sketch skiing conditions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society / FOCUS
Nov 27, 2019

No money, no hope: South Korea's 'dirt spoons' turn against President Moon Jae-in

Hwang Hyeon-dong lives in a 6.6-square-meter (71-square-foot) cubicle near his university campus in Seoul, which comes with a shared bathroom and kitchen plus all the rice he can eat, that he rents for 350,000 won ($302) a month.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 25, 2019

Australia probes 'deeply disturbing' allegations of Chinese political interference

Australia's domestic spy agency is investigating whether China tried to install an agent in federal Parliament in what Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday called "deeply disturbing" allegations.
Figure Skating
Nov 23, 2019

Yuzuru Hanyu dazzles en route to fourth NHK Trophy title; Alena Kostornaia wins women's event

Yuzuru Hanyu won the NHK Trophy in decisive fashion on Saturday night, claiming the title by a whopping 55 points before a packed house at Makomanai Ice Arena.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 21, 2019

Julia Roberts once floated for role as African-American slavery hero Harriet Tubman

A Hollywood movie studio executive once suggested that Julia Roberts could play Harriet Tubman, the 19th century escaped slave who is seen as an African-American icon.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Nov 20, 2019

Episode 30: #StandwiththePooh — The Hong Kong protesters in Japan

The Hong Kong protests have been escalating recently, but what of the pro-democracy Hong Kongers living in Japan?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 20, 2019

Europe and U.S. are refighting the Cold War

Trans-Atlantic dispute sheds light on the best approach to China and Russia today.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 19, 2019

How activists are getting around Iran's internet blackout

The latest unrest in Iran is about something far more serious than rising gasoline prices. The proof is that, over the weekend, the regime took most of the country offline.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 19, 2019

Let's discuss the imperial line of succession

An English lesson provides an opportunity to discuss the newly annointed Emperor Naruhito and his family.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / ON: TECH
Nov 18, 2019

Little solutions for big disasters

Recent typhoons and heavy rains have left local governments in some parts of Japan having to deal with reconstruction, and residents thinking more about being better prepared in the future. This month On: Tech looks at a few gadgets that could be useful during emergencies.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 18, 2019

Hong Kong job market starts weakening as recession deepens and riots exact toll

After months of political protests and the onset of a recession, Hong Kong's resilient labor market is starting to crack.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Nov 16, 2019

Japanese celebrities are using YouTube in new ways to connect with fans

The baseball offseason has arrived and Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish has taken up a few extracurricular activities. The Osaka-born player has expanded his social media presence, with recent posts on Twitter —  poking fun at teammates and playfully roasting other starters — being picked up by...
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 16, 2019

Ozeki Kaio ruled the sport

Raiden is often mentioned as the greatest rikishi never to reach yokozuna.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Nov 15, 2019

Foreign students in Japan hold back on applying for newly created visas due to past illegal overwork

Many foreign students in Nagoya have recently been found to be reluctant to apply for newly created visas intended to bring more workers from abroad, fearing their applications might not be accepted because they have been working more part-time hours than permitted for those with student visas.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 15, 2019

North Korea says U.S. is seeking December nuclear talks, warns of 'trick' to buy time

North Korea's top nuclear envoy said Thursday that the U.S. is seeking a return to denuclearization talks in December, but warned that he believed the move could be a "trick to earn time" ahead of a year-end deadline set by Pyongyang for progress in the talks.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Nov 15, 2019

Through scandal and stellar sales, AKB48 dominated the past decade in Japan

Do you know the songs? 'Heavy Rotation,' 'Gingham Check,' 'Ponytail to Shushu' .... Even if you don't, you're likely aware of the sales model that AKB48 has exported to the rest of the world.
PODCAST / deep dive
Nov 14, 2019

Episode 29: Is Tokyo ready for the next big earthquake?

There is a 70 percent chance of a devastating magnitude 7 earthquake striking Tokyo in the next 30 years. Daniel Hurst joins Oscar Boyd to discuss how ready Japan's capital city is.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 14, 2019

World's energy watchdog is undermining climate change battle, critics say

A short walk from the Eiffel Tower, Fatih Birol oversees the world's energy watchdog, whose analyses of fuel demand have long been viewed as the gold standard by government officials, energy executives and investors.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2019

Clandestine Japanese enthronement rite embodies tradition but is marked by controversy

The Daijosai, the most secretive and controversial part of the ceremonies, is a Shinto rite that begins on Thursday and involves the new emperor praying for peace and a rich harvest.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2019

A month after Typhoon Hagibis, volunteers, local officials and SDF tackling mountains of waste

The SDF is working to coordinate disaster waste and rubble removal efforts through officers dispatched to municipalities affected by the 19th named storm of the season.
Japan Times
LIFE / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW,2010s: Decade in review
Nov 7, 2019

Mascots: The secret weapon in Japan's soft power arsenal

What makes a good mascot? It used to be that being cute was enough, but 'yuru-kyara' in the 2010s needed storylines and Instagram followings if they want to make a mark.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 5, 2019

Democracy is on the march worldwide, not in retreat

Mass protests in country after country show how powerful the demand for social equality remains

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’