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EDITORIALS
Oct 31, 2016

Hillary Clinton's October surprise

Will the FBI's renewed probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server for official communications while U.S. secretary of state swing the Nov. 8 election?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 31, 2016

Bank of Japan confronts the Wall of Shame

Haruhiko Kuroda's fight against deflation has been hampered by a legacy of policy ineptitude.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 31, 2016

Former president of El Salvador arrested on corruption charges

El Salvador's former President Antonio Saca was arrested Saturday on corruption charges alleging misuse of public funds, the attorney general's office said on Sunday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 30, 2016

Hacked memo reveals details of Bill Clinton's 2009 meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Il

During a 2009 visit to Pyongyang to seek the release of two detained American journalists, former U.S. President Bill Clinton raised the issue of abducted Japanese nationals with then-leader Kim Jong Il, a hacked document released by the secret-spilling site WikiLeaks has shown.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 29, 2016

Could nuclear advocacy be Abe's undoing?

Voters have elected anti-nuclear governors in Kagoshima and Niigata prefectures in recent months. These elections can be considered referenda on nuclear power because that issue was the main focus of debate in both campaigns. The results have put Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — and his plans to rev up...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 29, 2016

Are Japanese really 'docile'?: challenging an enduring myth

A common perception abroad is that Japanese society is docile. This is partly thanks to Western writers who tried to create a single profile of the Japanese in the early to mid-20th century, such as Ruth Benedict in her 1946 book "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword." Today, this dangerous myth of consensus...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Oct 29, 2016

'A Long Rainy Season': Haiku and tanka by 15 of Japan's leading female poets

In 1901, poet Akiko Yosano's "Midaregami" ("Tangled Hair") was published. This collection of 399 sensual, explicit tanka and haiku poems broke with the formal traditions set down centuries before. Her book allowed Japanese verse to transition from feminine to feminist.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 27, 2016

Aides fear Republicans may lose Senate majority due to Trump baggage

The Republican Party's two-year run in the majority of the U.S. Senate is at serious risk and may well end on Nov. 8, senior congressional aides said on Wednesday, blaming Donald Trump as a drag on down-ballot Republican candidates.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 25, 2016

When losers concede, democracy gets a boost

The tradition of concession helps ensure the continuity of government and offers a legitimating assist to democracy itself.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 25, 2016

Bollywood jingoism rebounds against India

In its long-running battle with neighboring Pakistan, India's in danger once again of shooting itself in the foot.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 23, 2016

The spirit of Nuremberg

Seventy years after the Nuremberg trials, it's time to give teeth to efforts to bring war criminals to justice.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 23, 2016

Can Tesla recharge Panasonic's batteries?

Japan Inc. should take inspiration from Elon Musk's ambitions to shake up the future of energy and transportation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / PHOTO ESSAY
Oct 22, 2016

Coffee from another age: The last 'kissaten' of Yanesen

Shigeo Ota spends six days a week behind the counter of his cafe, Aroma, watching TV and waiting for customers who rarely come. The cafe is in Komagome, a town in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, close the quiet neighborhoods of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi (collectively known "Ya-ne-sen"). There isn't much foot traffic...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / ON: GAMES
Oct 22, 2016

PlayStation adds more power to the PS4

More power to the PS4
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 22, 2016

Tokyo braces for fence-mending role in U.S.-Philippine estrangement during Duterte visit

As Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte prepares to make his first visit to Japan since taking office in June, Tokyo is looking to play peacemaker between Washington and Manila.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 20, 2016

Final presidential debate offers no solace for U.S.-Japan relations

The conversation that has so far taken place in the run-up to this year's U.S. presidential election has been a nightmare for Japan.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 19, 2016

Obama tells Trump to 'stop whining' as Donald doubles down on rigged poll claims

President Barack Obama lacerated Donald Trump on Tuesday over his repeated assertions that the Nov. 8 election is rigged against him, telling the Republican presidential candidate to "stop whining and go try to make his case to get votes."
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 19, 2016

Trump pushes Congress term limits to 'drain the swamp' in Washington

Donald Trump called for term limits for members of Congress on Tuesday, saying it would help "drain the swamp" in Washington.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 18, 2016

High hopes for new U.N. chief

Antonio Guterres knows what it takes to be a strong and effective U.N. secretary-general.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 18, 2016

The political logic of Theresa May's 'hard Brexit'

The Brexiteers are desperately seeking to avoid being exposed as having no negotiating power.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 18, 2016

Bringing warmth back to the South China Sea

An icy chill has swept China-Philippines relations. For the sake of peace, it is time to bring back some warmth.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 17, 2016

Thai king's death reportedly won't delay election

The death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej will not affect plans to hold a general election in 2017, media reported Monday, dismissing speculation that the military government would delay the poll as the country enters a year of mourning.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 17, 2016

Secretary-general for the world

Incoming U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres possesses a rare combination of background, skills and experiences highly relevant to leading the United Nations.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 16, 2016

Why Thailand must tackle populist backlash

Thailand's military junta must focus on reviving growth and address inequality to bridge deep-seated political divisions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 14, 2016

Philippines wants U.S. to remain top ally: foreign minister

The U.S. will remain the most important partner for the Philippines even as Rodrigo Duterte improves ties with China, his foreign secretary said ahead of the president's trip to Beijing.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 13, 2016

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, world's longest-reigning monarch, dies at 88

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died peacefully on Thursday, was the world's longest-reigning monarch, credited with restoring the influence of Thailand's royalty during 70 years on the throne and earning the devotion of many of his subjects.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 13, 2016

Abe urges Renho to prove her status under the law with release of family registry

Prime Minister Abe adds fresh fuel to the flames of his opponents ongoing dual passport controversy.

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