Search - 2023

 
 
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 14, 2022

High school hopefuls make leap into professional sumo

While university graduates have dominated headlines at recent tournaments, just one of eight new wrestlers entering the sport ahead of the New Year Basho boasts a college background.
JAPAN
Dec 14, 2022

Approving executions one of most important duties, justice minister says

Justice Minister Ken Saito assumed the post in place of Yasuhiro Hanashi, who was dismissed from the role following remarks that were interpreted as making light of his responsibilities.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 13, 2022

Sanae Takaichi stands by criticism of plan to hike taxes for defense budget

The criticism came after Kishida on Thursday instructed the ruling parties to consider tax hikes to secure some u00a51 trillion to partially cover higher defense spending.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Dec 13, 2022

Brittney Griner dunks in first basketball workout since February

The Olympic champion and WNBA star was taken to a U.S. Army base for a medical checkup on Friday after being released from a Russian prison in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 13, 2022

Shionogi says Japan government to buy 1 million more COVID pill doses

The added supply agreement comes at a time when Japan is dealing with an eighth wave of COVID-19 infections.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 13, 2022

China to set economic plans amid shift from 'zero-COVID' to growth

Economists expect President Xi Jinping and his officials to flesh out policy objectives for the coming year at the Central Economic Work Conference.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 13, 2022

Tyson Fury wants to spar with Wayne Rooney ahead of next bout

Manchester United's record goalscorer, now in charge of Major League Soccer team D.C. United, is a big admirer of compatriot Fury, who welcomed the former player's involvement.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 13, 2022

Global swimming federation FINA rebrands as World Aquatics

The organization said the move was meant to symbolize inclusivity for all aquatic disciplines, not just swimming.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 12, 2022

Mets continue to show willingness to spend with splurge for Kodai Senga

With Senga, 29, the Mets are buying in on a free-agent ace who has long desired a chance to prove himself against MLB's batters with his 'ghost fork.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 12, 2022

Delayed pick for 2030 Winter Olympics host puts Sapporo in a bind

The IOC's announcement could further complicate the city's effort, as bid supporters and opponents face off next year — especially in April's local elections.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 12, 2022

China’s rapid COVID reversal sparks whiplash as cases surge

Scenes of disruption are most visible in Beijing, where anecdotal evidence suggest the caseload is many times the government's tally.
Japan Times
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2022

After showing at World Cup, Japan is hungry for more

The Samurai Blue wins shocked many experts who expected European powerhouses to dominate their group and much of the World Cup competition.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2022

Chinese consumers wary of splurging after COVID-19 restrictions fall

Glee that greeted abrupt relaxations in COVID-19 rules has been tempered with uncertainty for consumers and businesses.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 12, 2022

Akane Yamaguchi wins women's crown at World Tour Finals

Yamaguchi was victorious in closely fought straight games — 21-18, 22-20.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 11, 2022

Japanese startup launches moon mission in historic first

The spacecraft, built by Tokyo-based startup Ispace, blasted off in Japan's first moon mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 11, 2022

Bank of Japan may ditch yield cap next year as inflation perks up

The Bank of Japan must guard against the risk of inflation well exceeding its expectations, says Takeo Hoshi, an academic with close ties to incumbent central bank policymakers.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 10, 2022

Japan to draw up legislation to ensure sex criminals can't find work in schools

The legislation is set to be submitted to the regular session of parliament as early as 2024.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Dec 9, 2022

Amid low ratings and scandals, Kishida scores a win with passage of key bills

In a parliamentary session rocked by Cabinet resignations and controversy over the Unification Church, the prime minister was able to eke out some political wins.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2022

Company 'inflation allowances' spreading in Japan

The moves are intended to bolster the morale of employees at a time when inflation is outpacing wage growth to cause drops in real wages and add heavier burdens to their daily lives.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2022

Yusaku Maezawa picks K-pop star TOP and DJ Steve Aoki to join SpaceX moon trip

Maezawa bought every seat on the maiden lunar voyage by SpaceX, which has been in the works since 2018 and would follow his trip on a Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2022

Electric minivehicle from Nissan and Mitsubishi named Japan Car of the Year

The micro EV, sold from June as the Sakura from Nissan and the eK X EV from Mitsubishi Motors, marked the first time for a minivehicle to win the award.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 9, 2022

End of 'zero-COVID' threatens to overwhelm China with infections

Unlike the whack-a-mole pattern of outbreaks that took place in the U.S. and Europe over months and years, China is likely to see a wave of infections engulf the country all at once.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 8, 2022

Most Japanese firms in poll don't support Kishida, citing leadership and prices

Dissatisfaction among major corporations mirrors public opinion polls showing dwindling support for Kishida amid scandals that have taken down three of his ministers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 8, 2022

Japan’s smaller contraction masks extent of underlying weakness

Gross domestic product shrank an annualized 0.8% in the three months to the end of September from the previous period, revised figures from the Cabinet Office showed Thursday.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past