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Japan Times
WORLD / EU SPECIAL 2015
May 12, 2015

Union advocates peace, strives to maintain solidarity

Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 10, 2015

As rest of EU pulls away, Czech president finds friendly welcome from Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Milos Zeman, his Czech counterpart, in the Kremlin on Saturday, cementing the warm relationship Zeman and his entourage have maintained with Moscow even as other European leaders have pulled away.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 8, 2015

We need to talk about Abe

Shinzo Abe is bent on making Japan a 'normal' country, but has he thought out the consequences of elevating the SDF to a full-fledged military?
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 8, 2015

Scottish nationalists crush opponents, setting stage for new independence bid

Scottish nationalists rampaged to victory north of the border in Britain's national election, obliterating their opponents and setting the stage for a new battle over independence.
WORLD / Politics
May 7, 2015

Left turn in Canada's oil-rich Alberta stuns energy industry

Canadian oil and gas shares tumbled and the country's main stock index hit a one-month low on Wednesday, after the leftwing New Democratic Party surged to power in the oil-rich province of Alberta on promises that included energy industry reforms.
WORLD / Politics
May 6, 2015

Parliamentary candidate from Britain's UKIP suspended for threatening to shoot rival

The anti-European Union UK Independence Party suspended one of its parliamentary candidates on Tuesday, two days before Britain's national election, for threatening to "put a bullet" in his Conservative rival.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 30, 2015

Abe on message, but regional tensions remain

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may have done a relatively good job in delivering one message Wednesday to the joint session of the U.S. Congress: Japan and America have reconciled well since World War II ended 70 years ago.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 30, 2015

Model-turned-actress Tao Okamoto gets ready for her closeup after landing roles in 'Hannibal' and 'Batman v Superman'

From renowned photographers and major fashion labels to famous Hollywood directors; it seems everyone wants a piece of Tao Okamoto these days. The model-turned-actress, who made her big-screen debut in the blockbuster "Wolverine" two years ago, is set to appear in the third season of the American TV...
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 29, 2015

Flawed entrance exam reform

The education ministry's effort to reform the university entrance exam system has serious flaws.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 29, 2015

In divided Supreme Court weighing gay marriage, Kennedy sends mixed aignals

A pivotal justice sent mixed signals as the U.S. Supreme Court divided along ideological lines during arguments in a historic case that could legalize gay weddings nationwide.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Apr 26, 2015

'Zero Overtime Bill' is the thin end of the wedge for workers' rights

Although you may feel this amendment to the Labor Standards Law has nothing to do with you, the net will be cast wider and before you know it we will all be caught up in it.
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Apr 25, 2015

U.S. towns pulled into Japanese politics

A recurring news story over the past several years concerns claims of the harassment of Japanese nationals residing on the East and West coasts of the United States. Most appear to have originated from municipalities where South Korean immigrants and Korean-Americans have successfully campaigned to erect...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 24, 2015

A shift in U.K. foreign policy?

The British election in May could produce dramatic outcomes in trans-Atlantic and trans-channel relations.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 24, 2015

'Pink flower' stocks aim to change attitudes toward women

Japan's use of the stock market to change companies' attitudes toward women is showing signs it's working. As an investment strategy, it has been less of a success.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 23, 2015

Bush, in rare Republican nod to Obama, hits Clinton's reservations over Asia trade talks stance

Republican Jeb Bush on Wednesday bashed Democratic 2016 presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton for voicing reservations about overseas trade talks, a rare issue on which the White House enjoys support from Republicans, with many Democrats opposed.
EDITORIALS
Apr 22, 2015

Political pressure on broadcasters

TV broadcasters should not cower in the face of the LDP's pressure and interference in their activities.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Apr 21, 2015

To defeat sexism, men need to take a stand against other men

When it comes to dealing with highly sexist males, just one other man's voice has more sway those of hundreds of victims and countless public awareness campaigns.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 21, 2015

Globalism in need of revival

Heavily dependent on other countries for markets and resources, Japan must take a leading role in promoting globalism.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 20, 2015

Chiyoda Ward candidate swears off campaign vans

As election candidates fire up megaphone-armed vans to holler their names and slogans throughout their constituencies, one young candidate is shunning the noisy practice.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Apr 20, 2015

Why Japan won't join the AIIB

The AIIB will enable China to use funds contributed by other countries for projects that best suit its own strategies.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / JAPAN TIMES BLOGROLL
Apr 20, 2015

Rachel & Jun

Husband-and-wife YouTube team Rachel & Jun first started making videos in 2012 as a fun way to keep in touch while they were apart. Now, with over 350,000 subscribers, the Japanese-American couple covers a variety of subjects, from what’s considered overweight in Japan to making mochi.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / BLACK EYE
Apr 19, 2015

Meeting Miss Universe Japan, the 'half' who has it all

Progress occurs when people of substance assume the mantle of leadership, and it appears Ariana Miyamoto is equal to the task.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Apr 19, 2015

Historically, Japan is no stranger to blacks, nor to blackface

I am a black Japanese half. I was bullied because of my skin color in elementary school, so I have a strong complex about my skin color. If Japanese truly adored blacks, it wouldn't bother me. But do Momokuro really adore blacks? I think if you asked them if they wished they had been born black, they...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Apr 18, 2015

Gunma's Ely reflects on NBA odyssey

Far from the bright lights and frenzied crowds at state-of-the-art NBA arenas, Melvin Ely plies his craft with determination and dedication half a world away.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 17, 2015

LDP grills TV executives but denies use of pressure tactics

A Liberal Democratic Party panel conducts a closed-door meeting with NHK and TV Asahi executives to demand “explanations” about their troubles, raising suspicions of state intimidation.
EDITORIALS
Apr 16, 2015

Address nuclear safety concerns

By repeating their faith in the NRA's nuclear safety standard and dismissing any challenge to its validity, the government and power companies appear to be once more embracing the safety myth of nuclear power.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 16, 2015

Pushing Social Security reforms risky gambit, Christie admits

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is making cutting Social Security and Medicare the centerpiece of a possible presidential campaign, conceded on Wednesday that he is taking a risk with the proposal.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Apr 15, 2015

Northern Ireland's Troubles hold a deadly lesson for Okinawa

Like in Northern Ireland in the 1960s, protests over the planned U.S. base at Henoko run the risk of spiraling out of control if islanders' views are ignored.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years