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Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 21, 2019

Ex-Russian arms tycoon quietly wields influence in British leadership race

A former Russian arms tycoon who had connections at the highest levels of the Kremlin is a major donor to Britain's ruling Conservative Party and counts himself a friend of the man expected to be the country's next prime minister.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jul 20, 2019

'Night in the American Village': Touching base with the women of Okinawa

Akemi Johnson's 'Night in the American Village' is a meticulously researched volume on the intersection of cultures, the divides of power and gender, and on the politics and people behind the overseas American military presence.
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jul 20, 2019

New era aside, Showa nostalgia continues to keep rolling along

The new Reiwa Era is now into its third month and histories are starting to appear about the Heisei Era that preceded it. In late June, the publishing arm of the Mainichi Shimbun released a 384-page softcover book titled "Heisei-shi Zenkiroku" ("Chronicle 1989-2019"). The same week, the Nikkei Shimbun...
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jul 20, 2019

Candidates struggle to navigate difficult waters of social media ahead of election

A good summary of how the 2019 House of Councilors election has played out online comes via Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the cartoon “Yu-Gi-Oh!” During his promotion of a new art book, he shared an illustration on his Instagram page that was meant to encourage young people to vote. However, it...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 19, 2019

In Akita, close Upper House race serves as symbol for fierce battle between ruling and opposition camps

The campaign office of the Liberal Democratic Party's Matsuji Nakaizumi, an incumbent running in Sunday's Upper House election, features something rather unusual: Dozens of endorsement posters signed by top party heavyweights.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jul 18, 2019

Massachusetts drops Kevin Spacey sex assault case after alleged victim refuses to testify

Massachusetts prosecutors on Wednesday dropped a criminal case accusing former "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man at a Nantucket bar in 2016 after the alleged victim refused to testify.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2019

Ahead of Upper House vote, Komeito and Abe remain apart on revision of pacifist Constitution

While Prime Minister Abe touts constitutional revision as the focal point of Sunday's election, that topic is conspicuously absent from campaign speeches by the LDP's coalition partner, Komeito.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Jul 17, 2019

U.S. imposes sanctions on Myanmar commander in chief over Rohingya abuses

The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions on the Myanmar military's Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing and other military leaders it said were responsible for extrajudicial killings of Rohingya Muslims, barring them from entry to the United States.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2019

Candidates with disabilities hope to lay foundation for inclusive Diet in Upper House election

On a recent Wednesday morning, Rie Saito wasn't giving a lengthy, energetic speech about her campaign pledges through a loudspeaker, unlike most of her competitors on the stump.
JAPAN / The Argument
Jul 16, 2019

Female ascension? Nothing in Constitution forbids females from ascending Chrysanthemum Throne

Prohibiting female members of the imperial family or their children from succeeding the Chrysanthemum Throne is unconstitutional.
JAPAN / The Argument
Jul 16, 2019

Female ascension? Imperial institution thrives due to change

One of the reasons for the imperial institution's remarkable longevity and continuity is that it has changed over time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 13, 2019

Echo chambers: Fake news fact-checks hobbled by low reach, study shows

Brussels
EDITORIALS
Jul 12, 2019

Central banks under attack

The world needs strong and capable economic management.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Jul 12, 2019

U.N. to probe Philippines drug war deaths

The U.N. Human Rights Council voted on Thursday to set up an investigation into mass killings during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's so-called war on drugs, a step that activists said was long overdue.
EDITORIALS
Jul 11, 2019

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan make strategic sense

Even if ties to China warm, as appears to be occurring, Japan must not let relations with Taiwan be subordinated to relations with Beijing.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 10, 2019

U.K. Parliament flexes muscle as Boris Johnson doubles down on no-deal Brexit

Members of Britain's Parliament delivered a sharp warning to the country's next prime minister: They will not allow him to pursue a no-deal Brexit without a fight.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 9, 2019

Moving from #MeToo to #MenToo

False accusations of sexual assault have spawned the #MenToo movement in India, which demands gender-neutral laws and investigative procedures.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 9, 2019

For those who flew on Epstein's 'Lolita Express,' the feds want to talk to you

After Jeffrey Epstein's latest arrest on sex trafficking charges, some famous people may be squirming. His notorious little black book and private-jet manifests contained a long list of boldface names, including Victoria's Secret founder Leslie Wexner, U.S. President Donald Trump and former president...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2019

Global unity necessary for tackling worldwide issues

Representatives from various religious groups, nonprofit organizations and former political leaders discussed world peace, welfare, environment and other global issues during the G20 Interfaith Forum Japan 2019 on June 8 and 9, with prominent speakers including former British Prime Minister David Cameron,...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 8, 2019

Is John Bolton our last hope?

U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton is on the same page as Japan when it comes to North Korea, but his hawkish Iran stance is cause for concern.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 8, 2019

Haruno Yoshida, leading businesswoman and adviser to Keidanren, dies at 55

She was a longtime proponent of improving workplace diversity and was featured regularly in international forums as a role model for working women.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 7, 2019

British ambassador to U.S. trashed Trump in diplomatic cables, report says

Kim Darroch, the British ambassador to the U.S., described President Donald Trump as "inept" and "incompetent" in diplomatic memos to his bosses at the U.K. Foreign Office, the Mail on Sunday reported.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Jul 4, 2019

Italy's Matteo Salvini brands release of migrant rescue ship skipper as politically biased

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Wednesday denounced a judge who freed the German captain of a charity rescue ship accused of forcing an Italian naval blockade and suggested the ruling was politically motivated.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 2, 2019

Japanese officials play down Trump's security treaty criticisms, claim president's remarks not always 'official' U.S. position

Trump had strongly criticized the security treaty, calling the pact one-sided as Japan does not need to come to the U.S.'s aid if it is attacked.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 1, 2019

What a difference a day makes after the G20

Should the third but potentially only symbolic U.S.-North Korea summit eclipse the significance of the Osaka G20 summit?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 1, 2019

Pressing issues of the Reiwa Era

The nation cannot afford to postpone any longer discussion of how to ensure the stability of imperial succession amid a dearth of male heirs.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 1, 2019

U.S. political cartooning was murdered; here's the autopsy

In the United States, political cartooning as we know it is dead.

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