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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2019

China's Uighur crackdown shows fear and insecurity

Xi Jinping has a brash foreign policy and a security state because he knows the real threat is from within
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Kateigaho International Japan Edition
Nov 30, 2019

The gold standard: Ginza Tanaka is the pinnacle of Japanese metalwork

Ginza Tanaka is determined to carry on the techniques developed by earlier artisans and pass the skills to future generations, offering flawless works made of the highest-quality metals.
JAPAN
Nov 29, 2019

Salt and inaction blamed for Aomori having the lowest life expectancy in Japan

In a country famous for the longevity of its inhabitants — this year Japan's population of people age 100 or over topped 70,000 for the first time — Aomori Prefecture is an outlier.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Nov 29, 2019

Eclectic offerings at Hawaii International Film Festival

Hikari's '37 Seconds' takes the main prize at the festival, which presented a varied program of films focusing on the Asia-Pacific region
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Nov 28, 2019

Australian ex-pat writer and TV critic Clive James dead at 80

Clive James, an expatriate Australian writer and broadcaster who wrote incisively and often hilariously about television, literature and current affairs, has died aged 80, his agents said on Wednesday.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 27, 2019

Cherry blossom-viewing party: Breaking down Abe's latest cronyism scandal

Every year since 1952, the prime minister, via taxpayer funds, has hosted one of the nation's largest cherry blossom-viewing parties.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 27, 2019

Ryonosuke Shimomura: An eclectic rule breaker

At school, Ryonosuke Shimomura conceived art techniques that led one teacher to think he was color blind. Yet his unusual approach led him to become a principal of the Pan Real Art Association — Japan's influential avant-garde Japanese-style painting groups.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 26, 2019

'Poison' of anti-Semitism has taken root in U.K.'s Labour: Chief Rabbi

The poison of anti-Semitism "sanctioned from the top" has taken root in Britain's opposition Labour Party, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said in an article published on Monday, warning the "soul of our nation is at stake" in next month's election.
JAPAN
Nov 25, 2019

In Japan, Pope Francis urges rethink of reliance on nuclear energy

Meeting survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster that triggered the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear crisis, Pope Francis has a poignant message.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 25, 2019

Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

For foreign entrepreneurs, Japan has never been the easiest place to launch a startup for a number of reasons, including its conservative corporate culture, restrictive visa requirements and daunting language barrier.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 25, 2019

WeWork's escape plan is buried in the books at its Tokyo office

Masayoshi Son stood on stage in Tokyo earlier this month and told skeptical SoftBank Group Corp. investors that making WeWork Cos. profitable is not only possible, but will be "simple." Driving that confidence is WeWork's Japanese unit, which is already in the black and will be the springboard for a...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Nov 24, 2019

Setting the pace: Career diplomat tackles latest role

After Tokyo Olympics organizers moved the marathon to Hokkaido, Peter van der Vliet was among those disappointed. As a marathoner, the Dutch ambassador wanted to see the distance runners up close.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 23, 2019

Overuse of Japan's medical system may be complicating treatment

One of the criticisms of the “Medicare for All” government-run health care scheme proposed by U.S. Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren is that eliminating all limits to treatment would lead to "overuse" of the medical care system, meaning people would be seeing...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Nov 23, 2019

Akira Isogawa: Australia's darling of fashion

'I understand how such rules are necessary and help Japan to function as efficiently as it does. But I'm a rule breaker, and that's permitted here in Australia. It's a real relief.' — Akira Isogawa, fashion designer
LIFE / Lifestyle / Kateigaho International Japan Edition
Nov 23, 2019

Artistry unfolds: Byōbu are collaborative, composite works of art

"Byōbu are composite works of art," says Yoshihiro Takishita.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 22, 2019

Prolific winner Christophe Lemaire gears up for Japan Cup

Christophe Lemaire started his career as a horse racing jockey in 1999 in France, his home country.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Okinawa
Nov 22, 2019

Shuri Castle fire threatens Okinawa's tourism and traditional crafts industries

A predawn fire that destroyed much of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, has shocked the local tourism industry and associations of traditional Ryukyu Kingdom crafts, raising alarm about the loss of the historic attraction and potential harm to the prefecture's ability to promote its culture....
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 22, 2019

Colombians march to keep wages and pensions intact as government warns against violence

Colombian unions, student groups and other protesters were marching on Thursday to insist the government maintain the minimum wage for young people and the universal right to a pension, even though the government says those are not part of reform plans.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 21, 2019

'Earthquake Bird': A solid adaptation, but no high flyer

An adaption of a 2001 novel by Susanna Jones, 'Earthquake Bird' looks at Tokyo in 1989 and tells the story of an explosive love triangle
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 21, 2019

Juliette Binoche: 'There's something in the present that's more real'

The French actress discusses her love of Japan and her work with Japanese film directors, as well as her recent stint as a performing arts judge
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019

GM sues Fiat Chrysler, alleging union bribery scheme cost it billions

General Motors Co. on Wednesday filed a racketeering lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, alleging that its rival bribed United Auto Workers (UAW) union officials over many years to corrupt the bargaining process and gain advantages, costing GM billions of dollars.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 20, 2019

Yukinori Yanagi: Resurrecting Akitsushima

For Yukinori Yanagi, whose work from the late '80s and '90s featured ants burrowing through national flags made of sand, nature is not synonymous with an anthropomorphically friendly 'harmony' or 'balance'; it's disruption, chaos, decay and metastasis.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 19, 2019

Let's discuss the imperial line of succession

An English lesson provides an opportunity to discuss the newly annointed Emperor Naruhito and his family.
BUSINESS
Nov 18, 2019

Nearly 20% of Japan households using e-money but cash still king

Almost a fifth of households use electronic money for small purchases, a survey by a central bank-affiliated research institute shows, up from a year ago and a sign the culture of cash-hoarding is changing.
BUSINESS
Nov 18, 2019

Takedown: The monumental fall of auto titan Carlos Ghosn

It took two decades for "le cost-cutter" Carlos Ghosn to carve out his three-way automobile empire. But in a matter of days, it was ripped from his grasp.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 18, 2019

Japan's Showa flash flood of photography

The National Gallery of Canada showcases Showa Era (1926-89) photographers, whose documentation and interpretation of politics, culture, social issues and even the quotidian changed the face of modern photography in Japan.
LIFE / Lifestyle / Kateigaho International Japan Edition
Nov 16, 2019

Artistry unfolds: Byōbu are a versatile element of interior design

Architect Yoshihiro Takishita has a diverse collection of byu014dbu folding screens to suit every season or mood.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Nov 16, 2019

Yoshi Shimizu: Curiosity and the camera

Taking an elective course on photography while studying business in California changed the whole course of Yoshi Shimizu's career.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear