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ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 17, 2013

Khar attempts to start dialogue

New York AFP-JIJI
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 17, 2013

Top Russian crime boss gunned down by sniper in Moscow

One of Russia's biggest criminal bosses was gunned down in the center of Moscow on Wednesday as he left his favorite hangout surrounded by bodyguards.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 17, 2013

Matsue: 'Goma's positivity left me revitalized'

Since his 1999 debut "Anyon Kimuchi (Annyong Kimchi)," a documentary about his zainichi (ethnic Korean) family, Tetsuaki Matsue has been interested in those on the margins of Japanese society — though he is hardly the director-as-crusader.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 17, 2013

'Armadillo' / 'Cockfighter'

If you go to see "Armadillo", you will be in a cinema watching a war movie. A documentary, yes, but one that's safely on the screen as you sit back and watch Danish soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. You will watch those same soldiers try to relieve the boredom of life on a forward operating base by playing...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 17, 2013

'Cesare Deve Morire'

Roberto Rossellini once said that a good movie has the power to change the world, and here's a film made by his compatriots (octogenarian Italian brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani) that may prove him right. It certainly alters the way one looks at the world, at history and how art can lock people in...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 17, 2013

Hakuin: The sight of one hand clapping

Most people know the famous riddle, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" Many are also aware that it is connected with Zen Buddhism, and some will even know that it is a famous koan by the 18th-century monk Hakuin.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 17, 2013

"Architecture. Possible Here?: Home for All"

The Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 left residents of Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture with no option but to live in isolated temporary shelters as they wrestled with the uncertainty of their future. To help lift their spirits, architect Toyo Ito proposed building a space where people could get...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 17, 2013

"Portraits of Destroyed Cities"

The 20th century witnessed two world wars, during which many countries suffered what is known as "strategic bombing": major air raids on cities aimed at destroying the nation's economic ability and public spirit.
CULTURE / Film
Jan 17, 2013

Mary Evans on 'Seishun Zankoku Monogatari (Cruel Story of Youth)'

"Seishun Zankoku Monogatari (Cruel Story of Youth)" is the second film directed by 28-year-old Nagisa Oshima and, while hardly the year's best Japanese film, it is nevertheless of more than usual interest. A young girl (Miyuki Kuwano), restless, wanting excitement and experience, takes to accepting...
CULTURE / Film
Jan 17, 2013

Ian Buruma on 'Ai-no Borei (Empire of Passion)'

Nagisa Oshima is the best film director in Japan still making good movies. There are other good directors (Kon Ichikawa), but they are reduced to doing company hack-work. Oshima can still do the films he likes, partly because he gets financial backing in France from Argos Films, the producer of both...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2013

China sets sights on an 'outer space trump card'

When China destroyed one of its own satellites in space six years ago, it alarmed many other Asia-Pacific countries that have invested heavily in orbiting satellites for telecommunications, Earth observation and scientific research.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2013

Showdown over sales tax breaks on the horizon

A political showdown is approaching as the two ruling parties continue talks to nail down details of tax reform by their self-imposed deadline of Jan. 24, in particular over whether daily essentials such as food should be exempt from the planned hike in the unpopular consumption tax.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2013

White paper chronicles rise of ramen worldwide

Ramen's rise to global prominence has taken many forms: Japanese noodle shops debuting to great acclaim overseas, from Sydney to Honolulu to London; the proliferation of English-language ramen blogs; international chefs incorporating elements of the dish into their cuisine.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2013

Japan urged to help build India's infrastructure

India needs to redouble its efforts to develop industrial and urban infrastructure that so far have not caught up with the pace of its economic growth, said Indian scholars taking part in a recent symposium in Tokyo who want Japan to play a key role to support such efforts.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 15, 2013

Trians rage against dying light with Emperor's Cup victory

The Panasonic Trians grabbed their first Emperor's Cup in 16 years with a 64-61 victory over the Aisin Sea Horses in the men's final of the All-Japan Championship on Monday, prevailing in the second half thanks to their stingy defense.
LIFE
Jan 14, 2013

Tour guide exams another example of national licensing frenzy

Colin P.A. Jones wondered if he was alone in laughing out loud at a question about impaired thinking in the national nursing exam ("Stop thinking — the exam is about to start," Zeit Gist, Dec. 18).
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 14, 2013

Niigata/Nagano: Should Japan make all of its highways free or is the present toll system fair?

If tolls were eliminated, gasoline and car taxes would have to go up to make up the difference. At the moment the economy is bad and not everyone can afford to pay the extra taxes. Once it gets better, though, raising taxes on cars and gasoline to eliminate the freeway tolls would be a good idea.
EDITORIALS
Jan 14, 2013

The NIC's crystal ball

Noted philosopher and aphorist Mr. Yogi Berra once said that "making predictions is hard, especially about the future." The U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) hasn't been deterred by the inherent difficulty of that endeavor, as it has just produced its sixth report on the state of the world some...

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight