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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 5, 2017

Liberal democracy in retreat?

Having already come under siege in many of its outposts around the world, is liberal democracy now at risk of losing its citadel, too?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 5, 2017

The resistance will have all the proper permits

Restrictions on protests to protect safety and public order have eroded an important part of U.S. democracy, namely the constitutional right to public assembly.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Mar 4, 2017

'Comfort women' in South Korea who serviced U.S. forces seek justice

Historical 'comfort women' cases involving Japanese and U.S. forces should be mutually reinforcing and underscore the ongoing need to hold Tokyo, Seoul and Washington accountable in ways that address the traumas and indignities endured.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Mar 3, 2017

Disney to feature first gay scene in 'Beauty and the Beast'

Disney will feature its first gay scene when a character is seen struggling with his sexuality in the live-action remake of 'Beauty and the Beast', according to the film's director.
Reader Mail
Mar 3, 2017

Save the oceans, but within reason

The authors of the opinion piece "Fighting the good fight for ocean health" in the Feb. 19 edition stress the need for funding worldwide climate initiatives and for keeping the efforts funded. To ensure that every country pays, they call for financing plans and monitoring. They also say "the oceans must...
EDITORIALS
Mar 2, 2017

Trump gets presidential

Donald Trump managed to sound presidential in his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, but his narrowly focused message should concern the world.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 2, 2017

Confucius blocks change in South Korea

At the 'chaebol,' Confucian reverence for the 'emperor' translates into obedience to company founders and their families, who are treated like royalty.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 1, 2017

Asia's flashpoints a trigger for market chaos

The South China Sea and North Korea loom as black swan events amid rising tensions in Asia.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 1, 2017

Don't count out a GOP impeachment of Trump

Whoever takes credit for bringing down a feared and reviled leader will rid themselves of a rival and reap rewards up to and including the highest office in the land.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 1, 2017

Hollywood is losing Japan box office to gender-bender tale 'Your Name.'

Move over, Hollywood — Japanese moviegoers are shopping local these days.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 28, 2017

How Donald Trump is testing U.S. democracy

U.S. President Donald Trump's testing of the foundations of U.S democracy may transform existing assumptions about America and its global role.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 27, 2017

South Korea opposition to seek impeachment of acting leader after he rejects extending Park corruption probe

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party said on Monday it and other parties would seek the impeachment of the prime minister, Yonhap News Agency reported after the premier said an investigation into a corruption scandal would not be extended.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 27, 2017

The threat of famine once again stalks Africa

For the past half-century Africa's population has been growing as fast or faster than its economies.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 27, 2017

China's spat with Kim Jong Un highlights dilemma on North Korea

The rare public spat between China and North Korea illustrates the dilemma facing Beijing's leaders as they try to coax Kim Jong Un back to the negotiating table.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Feb 26, 2017

Kyoto working to get its interpreter/guides up to global speed

With over 3 million visitors from abroad visiting the ancient capital of Kyoto in fiscal 2015, getting around with an official interpreter would have meant relying on government-qualified guides.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 25, 2017

'Radicalism in the Wilderness: International Contemporaneity and 1960s Art in Japan': Reiko Tomii brings Japanese art in from the cold

Reiko Tomii's profound and accessible study of 1960s avant-garde art from Japan offers an answer to a perennial problem in the appreciation of Japanese culture.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Feb 25, 2017

Amid land grabs and evictions, Cambodia jails leading activist

Even before a Cambodian judge sentenced land rights activist Tep Vanny to prison, her fellow campaigners said her fate had already been sealed.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 24, 2017

Lessons Japan Inc. must learn from Ghosn

The CEO who revived an ailing Nissan showed an insular, change-averse Japan Inc. that there is another way.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 22, 2017

'La La Land': Sometimes we need a trip to la-la land

La-la land: the mental state of someone who is not aware of what is really happening, and a nickname for the American entertainment industry centered on Los Angeles. These two meanings bleed into each other in director Damien Chazelle's multi-Oscar-nominated musical, "La La Land," which is about a state...
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 21, 2017

China says North Korean coal ban shows its sincerity on U.N. resolutions

China's suspension of imports of North Korean coal shows it is sincere about implementing U.N. Security Council resolutions punishing North Korea over its nuclear weapons and missile programs, it said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2017

Why won't Dems kick Trump while he's down?

The refusal of the Democrats to pogo-dance on Trump's grave is one of the biggest missed opportunities in recent political history.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2017

Mutual deterrence still matters

Today, as during the Cold War, mutual deterrence can save the world.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 20, 2017

The right way for the U.S. to confront China

Recent moves by the Trump administration toward a more traditional China policy are welcome, but not enough to meet the challenge from Beijing.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 19, 2017

Malaysia searching for four North Korean suspects in Kim Jong Nam murder

Malaysian police said Sunday that four North Korean suspects in the murder of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fled Malaysia on the day of the killing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 19, 2017

A presidential news conference like none before

Not only did Donald Trump rant and rave at his first presidential news conference, he denied he was ranting and raving — which is even more bizarre than actually ranting and raving.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 18, 2017

Fighting the good fight for ocean health

Our responsibility for the ocean's health is as deep, fundamental and permanent as our dependence on it.
EDITORIALS
Feb 16, 2017

A growing silence in Russia

The Putin government's need to silence an opposition leader through trumped-up charges shows its insecurity.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 15, 2017

'Weiner': America's walking, talking punch line

If you feel like your cinematic diet has been a bit lacking in schadenfreude lately, then look no further than "Weiner," an astounding internet-age documentary of hubris and disgrace, where no stupid behavior, once recorded, ever disappears.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo