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Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 7, 2016

Exquisite dolphin fossils provide insight into evolution of ultrasonic hearing, echolocation

Fossils unearthed in a South Carolina drainage ditch are providing insight into the development of ultrasonic hearing in prehistoric whales, a trait closely linked to their uncanny ability to hunt and navigate using sound waves and echoes.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jul 23, 2016

Tokyo hotels invite guests to live in the lap of luxury

Two domestic hotel operators are shaking up competition in Tokyo's luxury accommodation market by attempting to make their new properties more inviting for inbound visitors.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 21, 2016

Fuji Rock Festival celebrates 20 years

Who doesn't love an anniversary? For couples it's about rekindling moments of first love, for many nations it's about marking a significant moment in history. Anniversaries are, for the most part, true celebrations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2016

Penguin park opens in Shinjuku

JR Shinjuku Station held a ceremony to unveil a new park and bronze penguin statue representing the mascot for East Japan Railway Co.'s (JR East) Suica IC card at its recently opened south exit, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 11, 2016

Beijing's South China Sea options, from benign to belligerent

An international tribunal will rule Tuesday on a Philippine challenge to China's assertion to more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest waterways.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jun 23, 2016

In search of Japan's essential summer festivals

With July just around the corner, Japan is gearing up for another sultry summer. Since the sizzling-hot days only last until early September, people make the most of the season by getting outside — that includes going to film festivals, art and fashion events or outdoor musical gatherings.
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Jun 23, 2016

'Superfoods' highlight summer menu; Paris trip offers exclusive experience; celebrating summer with chic soiree

'Superfoods' highlight summer menu
CULTURE / Music
Jun 19, 2016

KiWi "The Scene of Ordinary" (Self-released)

Producers Azupubschool and Cor!s are both accomplished artists in their own right, having released individual albums and worked on larger J-pop projects in recent years. Together, they create music as KiWi, a project that recently shared an up-tempo dance-pop cut via the Diplo-founded online label Good...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 7, 2016

Disputed shoal may become military line in sand on South China Sea

Global defense chiefs meeting in a plush hotel in Singapore over the weekend were faced with one of Asia's biggest looming security challenges, but left without any tangible sense of how to tackle it.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jun 3, 2016

Following the 'Girls' to Japan

Feet-eating fish! Cat cafes! S&M bars! We map out the locales from Shoshanna's wild adventures in Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 2, 2016

Building golden bridges in the South China Sea

Everyone should avoid triumphing at China's expense if a tribunal ruling on a China-Philippines territorial dispute hands Beijing a bitter pill to swallow.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
May 27, 2016

'Historical Unknowns: Historia'; 'Morning Comes'; DHC

Kumamoto Castle, which was seriously damaged in last month's earthquake, is one of Japan's most beloved and iconic landmarks. Originally built in the 15th century, the structure is one of the largest fortifications in Japan and covers a big piece of land. It is famous for its stone foundation — the...
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
May 23, 2016

Tokyo 2020 Olympics finally get new logo

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic organizing committee unveils a new logo to replace the original choice, which was scrapped over a plagiarism scandal.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 14, 2016

Beijing's 'coercive tactics' lay foundation for long-term maritime goals, Pentagon report says

China has used "coercive tactics" to boost its presence and control over disputed areas of the South China Sea and is shifting gears to beef up its military assets in the contested waters, a report released Friday by the Pentagon said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 11, 2016

'Minimalist' U.S. sail-bys in South China Sea could reinforce Beijing's claims

Washington on Tuesday called a third U.S. Navy maneuver in a disputed part of the South China Sea a robust stand on freedom of navigation. However, the fleeting sail-by fits an approach that some critics have called "minimalist" — one that could strengthen Beijing's claims.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
May 6, 2016

Tokyo's best artisanal sandwiches

It's the season for being outdoors. Head for the hills, the beach, the nearest park or perhaps just a deck chair on your veranda. There's only one question: who's making the sandwiches?
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 21, 2016

Scientists give the tree of life a brand-new look

Humans are the only animal that has the power to choose which limbs of the tree of life survive.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 19, 2016

Manner mode: Defusing tension on the train

Commuting to and from work during peak hours in Tokyo can be an utterly soul-destroying experience.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Mar 14, 2016

Aichi firm touts automated driving technology

Aisin Seiki Co. is putting its automated driving technology to practical use by developing a system that can pull a vehicle safely to the side of a road if the driver becomes suddenly incapacitated.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Mar 10, 2016

Enjoying luxurious afternoon tea; experiencing 'modern British' cuisine; welcoming spring cherry blossoms

Enjoying luxurious afternoon tea
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Mar 7, 2016

Manga and anime goods store opens in Bangkok

An estimated 400 customers lined up in Bangkok for the opening of the first Thai branch of Animate, a Japanese manga and animation goods store.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 23, 2016

Military tensions set tone for frosty U.S.-China discussions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for talks this week as each country accuses the other of escalating military tensions in the western Pacific.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Feb 12, 2016

Happiness is a warm farm: How home cooking is reviving rural Yamagata

It's late January in Tokyo, and a rare 6-centimeter snowfall plunges the city's famously efficient transport network into chaos. Train lines report delays of up to four hours, leaving snaking lines of frustrated commuters steaming, despite the freezing temperatures.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 31, 2016

Ningen Isu explores death, lust on new album

When the members of hard rock band Ningen Isu left the stage at Ozzfest Japan in 2013, they thought that was it for their Ozzfest experience. Little did the "Japanese Black Sabbath" know, Ozzy Osbourne himself would soon be calling them back for an encore.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 20, 2016

'American Ultra' is a half-baked stoner comedy, possibly written by robots

One of the most underrated films of the past decade has got to be "Adventureland," the 2009 coming-of-age comedy by Greg Mottola ("Superbad"). It mined its setting — a rundown 1980s amusement park — for plenty of jokes, but it had a fantastic bittersweet feel to it as well, capturing that moment...
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 14, 2016

Nissan to adapt crash prevention for China's bad drivers

Call it driving with Chinese characteristics.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 2, 2016

House of cards: Can traditional New Year’s greetings survive in modern times?

On Jan. 1, legions of Japan Post Co. employees delivered millions of nengajō (New Year's cards) to homes nationwide.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji