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COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Feb 7, 2015

Abe acts quickly to exploit Japan's 'nightmare'

On adjacent televisions at my gym, I watched breaking news on the beheading of journalist Kenji Goto by the Islamic State group next to a "One Piece" anime segment in which fresh-faced youth defended their boat from marauding pirates. The kids routed them in a jiffy and suffered no casualties, a metaphorical...
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 5, 2015

Hostage crisis over, Abe looks to 2016 to launch constitutional amendment drive

With the Islamic State hostage crisis over, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his long-sought goal of revising the Constitution should be chased in summer 2016.
MORE SPORTS / TYSON-DOUGLAS SHOCKER REVISITED
Feb 5, 2015

Whiting says booming economy brought Tyson-Douglas bout to Tokyo

Best-selling author Robert Whiting, who penned an epic series for The Japan Times examining the legacy of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics last fall, has lived in Tokyo for decades. He is a keen observer of the ties that bind the United States and Japan, especially through the prism of sports.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / TYSON-DOUGLAS SHOCKER REVISITED
Feb 5, 2015

Seeing Douglas shock Tyson gave Lewis confidence

Editor's note: Looking back at one of the greatest upsets in sports history, The Japan Times is featuring a series of stories over the next several days to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Mike Tyson-James "Buster" Douglas fight on Feb. 11, 1990, at Tokyo Dome.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 4, 2015

Sending arms to Kiev would be big gamble for U.S.

By considering giving weapons to Ukraine, the United States is contemplating a risky venture that advocates say would help end the conflict in Ukraine but opponents warn might fan the flames of war.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Feb 4, 2015

Multivitamins may help ward off common cold

Vitamin and mineral supplements are big business in Japan, but are they really any use?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 3, 2015

Hostage crisis could influence Japan's Mideast priorities

As shock waves over the execution of two Japanese hostages by the Islamic State group continue to reverberate, questions emerge about the effect the crisis may have on Japan's Middle East policies.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 3, 2015

Anti-Islam group PEGIDA holds first Austria march

PEGIDA, the anti-Islam movement born in Germany, drew hundreds of supporters and counterdemonstrators to the streets of Vienna when it held its first march in neighboring Austria on Monday.
COMMUNITY / Voices
Feb 2, 2015

Tokyo: Does anyone else share responsibility for the death of Kenji Goto?

After the killing of a second Japanese hostage, Kenji Goto, by the Islamic State group, Mark Buckton asked people whether others share some culpability in his death. Some interviewees declined to have their pictures and surnames published.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 1, 2015

Conflict-zone scribes fear fallout from intrepid journalist's death

The tragic death of Kenji Goto highlights a dilemma that the journalism community in Japan has long struggled with: how much of a risk reporters should take on when working in dangerous conflict zones.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 1, 2015

Australian state election bodes ill for Abbott government

Australia's opposition Labor party pulled off a huge electoral turnaround in a key state on Saturday, positioning it to oust the ruling Liberal-National Party in a voter backlash that threatens the future of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 31, 2015

Texas Governor to declare Feb. 2 'Chris Kyle Day' in honor of 'American Sniper'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday he would officially declare Feb. 2 "Chris Kyle Day" in the state, in honor of the late U.S. Navy Seal sharpshooter portrayed in the film "American Sniper."
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 30, 2015

BOJ doesn't need more stimulus: top-rated economist

Japan's top-rated economist says the central bank doesn't need more stimulus, defying the consensus.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 30, 2015

U.S. poll finds gaping chasm in views between public, scientists

American scientists and the general public hold vastly different views on key scientific issues including the role of people in causing climate change, the safety of genetically modified food, and evolution, a poll released on Thursday showed.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2015

Goto gets sunset deadline extension

A new audio message purportedly from hostage Kenji Goto on Thursday morning declared that Jordan must present female prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi at the Turkish border by sunset on Thursday, or Jordanian air force pilot Mu’ath al-Kaseasbeh would be executed immediately.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 28, 2015

Making your U.S. tax filing from Japan that little bit less ... taxing

Calvin Tong, an American taxation expert and long-term Japan resident, explains recent changes in U.S. taxation laws that have left many Americans here confused.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 28, 2015

Syriza win forces Europe's center-left to reconsider austerity

European politicians at opposite ends of the spectrum celebrated the election victory of Greece's anti-austerity Syriza party on Monday, but Alexis Tsipras' post-communist triumph is forcing mainstream leftists to reconsider their position.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jan 26, 2015

Japan's media grapple with free speech, faith and immigration after Charlie Hebdo attack

What does the Japanese media have to say about the recent events in France? The weeklies have got something for everyone.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 26, 2015

Tokyo: Should Japan be negotiating with Islamic State for the release of Kenji Goto?

After the apparent killing of hostage Haruna Yukawa, Mark Buckton asked people in Tokyo whether the government should be talking to the terrorists holding journalist Kenji Goto.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 26, 2015

Where's the milk? School lunches no longer sacred cows

The cost of a school lunch is now higher than the average salaryman's lunch.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jan 25, 2015

Kansai spearheads campaign against hate speech

On Feb. 24, 2013, Osaka's Tsuruhashi district, home to one of Japan's largest concentrations of ethnic Koreans and in recent years a major tourist destination, was the scene of a shocking incident.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 25, 2015

Arab-American group says 'American Sniper' film spurs threats against Muslims

An Arab-American civil rights organization has asked "American Sniper" director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper to denounce hateful language directed at U.S. Arabs and Muslims after the release of the film about a Navy marksman.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Jan 24, 2015

Words from the wise on our energy future

Another year has dawned, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been at the helm for more than two years and nearly four years have passed since the Fukushima disaster brought Japan to its knees. And still we wait for a realistic blueprint from the government for clean and safe energy independence, a plan offering...
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jan 23, 2015

Iraq edges Iran on penalties, advances to Asian Cup semifinals

Salam Shakir scored the winning spot kick as Iraq stunned 10-man Iran 7-6 on penalties to reach the Asian Cup semifinals in a match of high drama between the archrivals on Friday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2015

U.K. devolves new powers to Scotland

The British government began a historic transfer of powers to Scotland on Thursday, keeping a pledge it had given to persuade Scots to reject independence as renewed nationalist support surges.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2015

Abe forced to walk a fine line in oil-rich Middle East

The seizure of two Japanese nationals by the Islamic State militant group is raising questions about Japan's Middle East policies and the effectiveness of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brand of personal diplomacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2015

Self-censorship is biggest threat to free speech in Japan

An edgy art exhibition of works rejected or removed by other exhibitors offers insights into whether Japan can be considered a nation of free speech.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2015

Islamic State likely gave hostage ultimatum knowing difficulty of meeting it

The militant group, which aims to establish an Islamic caliphate, is likely using the hostage situation to generate renewed international attention, according to leading analysts.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / NFL NOTEBOOK
Jan 21, 2015

Manning can thrive in Kubiak's system

My first impression when I heard the news that the Denver Broncos had hired Gary Kubiak to replace John Fox as the 15th head coach in team history was that Peyton Manning is one step closer to retirement.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Jan 21, 2015

Forty years after Zainichi labor case victory, is Japan turning back the clock?

Efforts against nationality-based discrimination in Japan have made zero progress in the four decades since a landmark court case against Hitachi.

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