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In the past 11 months, health minister Keizo Takemi has been charting his own path, seeking to make Japan's health care policies more global and digitalized.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 14, 2024

Global mindset crucial for reform of Japan's health care, minister says

International strategies and domestic health care reform are inextricably linked, says health minister Keizo Takemi.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, after Kansas City won the Super Bowl on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.
MORE SPORTS
Aug 15, 2024

Taylor Swift spurred 30% boost in Chiefs’ fan base, CEO says

Swift became a fixture at Chiefs games last year after she began dating Travis Kelce, a tight end on the team.
Considering there is another full year left before the current term of the Lower House expires, Fumio Kishida’s announcement he is standing down as the Liberal Democratic Party's leader has many wondering why.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 15, 2024

With Kishida’s sudden departure, who will lead Japan?

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s unexpected decision to not seek reelection has prompted a leadership race within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
There are no rules when it comes to making a bibimbap adapted to your own personal tastes.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Aug 18, 2024

With the humble bibimbap, do as you like

With broccoli florets as part of our bibimbap topping, we can also make a quick pickle of the stalk, meaning this meal is practically without waste.
The Afriski slope in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho
MORE SPORTS
Aug 16, 2024

Skiing in Lesotho: An African adventure under pressure

As enthusiastic as the visitors are, high running costs threaten the unique African ski adventure, which relies on artificial snow when snowfalls are patchy.
Produced by Toei Animation, “Girls Band Cry” follows five young women who form a band and navigate the Japanese rock landscape.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 17, 2024

Prepare for a new wave of anime-born bands

'Girls Band Cry' and its in-real-life band Togenashi Togeari offer the latest evolution of mixed-media music projects.
The 225-issue Nikkei average ended in negative territory Monday for the first time in six sessions.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 19, 2024

Nikkei falls on yen's gain, while Seven & I surges

The Nikkei index closed 1.77% lower at 37,388.62, snapping a five-day winning run that pushed up the index 8.7% last week.
A Palestinian man rides a bicycle past a damaged vehicle in which employees from the World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 2. The Israeli military said it is conducting a thorough review to understand the circumstances of the "tragic" incident, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 20, 2024

U.N. warns of 'unacceptable' level of violence against aid workers

The world body warns that the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip is potentially fueling even higher numbers of such deaths this year.
Maria Branyas Morera celebrates her 117th birthday in March in this image posted to her official X social media account.
WORLD
Aug 21, 2024

Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest person, dies at 117

Morera died peacefully in her sleep in Olot, Spain at her nursing home, Residencia Santa Maria del Tura, according to family.
Akamon Gate at the University of Tokyo
JAPAN / Society
Aug 21, 2024

Japan's low birthrate sparks talks of university consolidation

An education ministry official has expressed concern that some areas may be left without universities
Shigeki Maruyama drives fellow players in a golf cart during the first practice round for the 2013 Presidents Cup golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, in October 2013.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Aug 21, 2024

Maruyama named International team's final assistant for Presidents Cup

"His record in this event speaks for itself," said International team captain Mike Weir on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, look at weapons said to have been captured during Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, as they visit the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, Chechnya, on Tuesday.
WORLD
Aug 21, 2024

Ukraine's drone attack on Moscow 'one of largest ever,' mayor says

Russian air defense units destroyed at least 11 drones flying toward the capital, as well as 34 over the border Bryansk region and others, officials said.
Kotozakura (left) defeats Terunofuji at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya on July 28.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 21, 2024

NFL-style changes sumo could and should make

Many of the sport’s centuries-old systems and methodologies are an increasingly awkward fit in the modern world.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen in action during the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Aug 21, 2024

Verstappen needs a home win to end losing streak

Verstappen, who leads Formula One by 78 points with 10 rounds remaining, has not stood on top of the podium since Spain on June 23.
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pays her respect to a picture of Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn as she receives a royal endorsement to become the 31st prime minister in Bangkok on Sunday.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 21, 2024

Thailand’s democracy is on shaky ground

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy is in the middle of yet another political crisis. Citizens deserve better.
Revised guidelines on municipal governments' postpartum care programs will likely include care for women who temporarily stay at their parents' homes to give birth.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2024

Japan to revise guidelines for local government postpartum care

The upcoming revision comes as some local governments face difficulties implementing postpartum care projects by themselves.
Former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman will lead the committee searching for a successor to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 22, 2024

Disney names James Gorman to lead CEO succession planning effort

Disney is weighing both internal and external candidates to succeed Bob Iger.
Bo Nix will be the first rookie to start the season opener for the Broncos since John Elway in 1983.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Aug 22, 2024

Broncos to open season with rookie Bo Nix as starting quarterback

The first-round draft pick will become the first rookie to start a season opener for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.
University students in Varanasi, India, protest against a recent rape and murder of a doctor in West Bengal. Despite some improvements in legislation following high-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape, violence against women has worsened, with recorded rapes increasing.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2024

Protests won’t change India's attitude toward rape

Despite some improvements in legislation following high-profile cases, such as the 2012 gang rape, violence against women has worsened, with recorded rapes increasing.
Transport ministry officials enter the Kobe plant of Kawasaki Heavy Industries for an on-site inspection on Thursday.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2024

Transport ministry raids Kawasaki Heavy over ship engine test tampering

The firm has admitted inappropriately tweaked testing equipment to keep emissions data within ranges of customer specifications and reduce the variance of data.
British hard rock outfit Bring Me the Horizon delivered a dramatic set that featured a surprise appearance from local metal-meets-idol group Babymetal.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 23, 2024

Summer Sonic: The heat doesn’t matter when the lineup works

Where would you see a bill with Maneskin, Gen Hoshino, Christina Aguilera and Bring Me the Horizon in the prime slots? At a sold-out music festival, that’s where.
The 2024 Kentaro Kaneko Award ceremony will be held Oct. 15 at the International House of Japan in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Aug 24, 2024

America-Japan Society announces recipients of 2024 Kentaro Kaneko Award

This year's Kentaro Kaneko Award celebrating achievements in furthering U.S.-Japan relations goes to a volunteer, an educator and a legendary musician.
A toppled sign reads "customs control zone" near a destroyed Russian border post in Sudzha, Russia, on Aug. 12.
WORLD
Aug 23, 2024

Kremlin seeks to play down Ukraine's incursion

Ukrainian officials said they hope the surprise incursion will force Russia to negotiate "on our own terms," but the reality is likely to be very different.
Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito speaks to reporters in front of the prefectural government building in Kobe on Friday.
JAPAN
Aug 23, 2024

Hyogo panel releases power harassment report

Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito said he sometimes made harsh remarks to prefectural workers, but that it did not constitute power harassment.
Traditionally seen as a cautionary tale of collapse due to overpopulation, recent research suggests that Easter Island's population was likely small and that they adapted to environmental challenges through innovative agricultural practices.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 23, 2024

Easter Island collapse gets the fresh look it deserves

Once viewed as a cautionary tale of overpopulation, recent research suggests Easter Island's population was small and adapted through innovative agriculture practices.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace at the entrance of the Mariinskyi Palace ahead of their meeting in Kyiv on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 24, 2024

After Russia, Modi visits Ukraine as he walks diplomatic tightrope

The Indian leader reiterated the need for “dialogue and diplomacy” to end the war, during talks in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Forensic police inspect the scene of stabbings in Solingen, Germany, on Saturday.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Aug 24, 2024

Three dead in knife attack on German festival

Police closed off the center of Solingen, while victims and witnesses were being questioned about the attack on Friday night.
Cho Seong-hoan tends to bees at a farm near the Demilitarized Zone, in Paju, South Korea, on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 25, 2024

The DMZ is an unhealed wound for South Korea. It’s also a source of great honey.

The area is home to a biodiverse landscape and is a place of deep meaning for nearby farmers whose bees can fly freely through it.
A target explodes after being hit by an apparent North Korean "suicide drone" in this image released Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 26, 2024

North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for building more 'suicide drones'

Kim said that developing different types of the autonomous weapons and “steadily increasing their combat performance” are crucial “in preparing for a war.”
Lydia Ko hits her drive on the 18th hole during the final round of the Women's British Open in St. Andrews, Scotland, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Aug 26, 2024

Lydia Ko follows Olympic gold medal with victory at Women's British Open

Ko earned her third major title with the victory.

Longform

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