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Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 20, 2013

Putin to pardon tycoon Khodorkovsky ahead of Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he intends to pardon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, his country's most famous political prisoner, in a broad amnesty that comes just weeks before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / NOTEBOOK
Dec 17, 2013

Color Run comes to Tokyo; Arashi joins tourism push

IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, and The Color Run, a unique 5-km paint race series, will hold its popular event in Japan next year sponsored by New Balance.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2013

Two men hanged in latest round of executions

Two death-row inmates are hanged, each for killing two people in a series of crimes ranging from extortion to robbery.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 7, 2013

Wabori: Traditional Japanese Tattoo

It may not have been their sole purposes for visiting Japan during their respective reigns, but Queen Victoria's grandson George V and the last emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, both received tattoos on visits to Japan, despite the government's ban on a craft reserved primarily for the branding of criminals....
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Dec 6, 2013

Get rid of ill fortune with boiled white radish

Visitors to Kyoto will get the chance to eat boiled white radish, which is believed to dispel misfortune, this weekend at Senbon Shakado Temple.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 5, 2013

Treading a healthy path — whichever road you take

In the mid-19th century, a British undertaker by the name of William Banting was struggling to shed some pounds despite having tried every diet known at the time.
EDITORIALS
Dec 4, 2013

Ishiba validates secrecy bill fears

In his recent criticism of public demonstrations near the Diet building by those opposed to the secrecy bill, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba validated concerns that the bill could be used to silence citizens who express certain political opinions or demands.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2013

Opposition takes final swipe at bill

The ruling bloc and the opposition camp face off again over the contentious state secrets bill, even though it appears headed for passage by the Upper House before the Diet session ends Friday.
CULTURE / Music / MONEY AND MUSIC
Dec 3, 2013

Spotify, Rdio and what didn't happen in 2013

This was supposed to be the year that changed the Japanese music business.
LIFE / Digital
Dec 3, 2013

Why the NSA has landed us all in another nice mess

Fans of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy will fondly remember Oliver's complaint to Stanley: "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" In a future remake, Hardy will be played by Barack Obama, suitably enhanced with a toothbrush moustache, while Keith Alexander, currently head of the U.S. National...
BUSINESS / NOTEBOOK
Dec 3, 2013

Charity concert for deaf; Xmas roast chicken

EVENTS
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 2, 2013

Ishiba softens criticism of bill protesters

Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba remains critical of public demonstrations despite retracting part of an earlier comment likening protesters to terrorists.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 1, 2013

Guardian is targeted over Snowden leaks

Living in self-imposed exile in Russia, former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden may be safely out of reach of the Western powers. But dismayed by the continued airing of trans-Atlantic intelligence, British authorities are taking full aim at a messenger shedding light on his secret...
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 30, 2013

HIV: 'The fire across the river'

When 44-year-old Tokyo resident Isao was struck down by chronic diarrhea in June earlier this year, AIDS was the furthest thought from his mind. "I just thought I had a regular illness," said Isao, who asked for his surname to be withheld.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Nov 30, 2013

Imagining post-nuclear Japan

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has sent shock waves through the political establishment by calling for the end of nuclear power generation in Japan. "There is nothing more costly than nuclear power," Koizumi was quoted as saying during an interview with Tokyo Shimbun — something Japanese taxpayers...
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 29, 2013

India and Vietnam add a punch to their ties

In accepting Vietnam's invitation to explore oil and gas in the South China Sea, India's state-owned oil company expressed New Delhi's desire to deepen its friendship with Vietnam as well as ignored China's warning to stay away.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 27, 2013

Diet passes bill to create national security council

The Diet passes legislation to establish a version of the U.S. National Security Council, boosting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's drive for tougher security laws.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Nov 27, 2013

Kichiemon Nakamura II : For the love of 'Chushingura'

As December draws near, the streets are decorated with Christmas ornaments and in Japan, concerts of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony are held all over the nation. In addition to these Western-inspired traditions, there is a made-in-Japan December tradition that has been held since the 18th century and is...
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 27, 2013

Leakers, activists find new homes in Berlin

During the Cold War, Berlin was one of the most spy-ridden cities in the world. Now it's the place where people go to escape government surveillance.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 24, 2013

Police, mine officials met before Marikana killings

On Aug. 16, 2012, the summertime sun streamed through the leafy canopy of central London's Green Park and into the windows of the headquarters of platinum mine company Lonmin PLC. But 8,800 km away there was a chill in the air as the company's biggest South African mine became a frenzy of activity.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 22, 2013

Sharp seeks exit from Foxconn cellphone venture

Sharp Corp. is considering ending a contract with Foxconn Technology Group under which the Taiwanese manufacturer makes Sharp-branded phones for sale in China, according to a source.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 22, 2013

U.S. Navy suspends another officer in bribery investigation

The U.S. Navy announced Thursday it has suspended another official — the seventh in two months — for his alleged ties to a major Singapore-based defense contractor accused of fraud and bribery in a scandal that continues to escalate.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Nov 20, 2013

Yoji Sakate celebrates in style

To celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, the Tokyo-based Rinkogun theater company determined to present four original plays by its founder, the renowned playwright and director Yoji Sakate.
BUSINESS / NOTEBOOK
Nov 19, 2013

Max Brenner Chocolate Bars; EU Gateway Program

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Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan