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Reader Mail
Apr 12, 2009

The younger, the better

Regarding the March 31 article "Look overseas to address Japan's lag in English ability": As a foreign English teacher, with a Japanese wife and daughter who wish to stay in Japan, I despair for the child's future when I see how casual Japanese students are about learning English. This country was once...
EDITORIALS
Apr 12, 2009

Managers and overtime

A recent compromise mediated by the Tokyo High Court settled an important issue of overtime pay. McDonald's Corporation Japan agreed to pay ¥10 million to a worker who filed for correct compensation for his position. The case was an important milestone for employees long accustomed to unpaid overtime....
Reader Mail
Apr 12, 2009

Less work, more people

If the author of the article "Women, know your place" is being extremely sarcastic, then fine, but if she is being serious, she must be kidding. Japan faces a huge dilemma, with its aging and declining population and its low birthrate. If Japan does not act now, then the country as we know it will cease...
Japan Times
LIFE / JAPAN FASHION WEEK
Apr 12, 2009

Focus on: Yasuko Furuta

For Yasuko Furuta of Japanese womenswear brand Toga, inspiration comes from many different sources but includes an assimilation of complicated elements deconstructing and reconstructing styles to forge a strongly defined but harmonized collection.
Japan Times
LIFE / JAPAN FASHION WEEK
Apr 12, 2009

Designers bid to shrug off woes

The global slump's impact on the fashion world was on everyone's lips during Japan Fashion Week, as it has been around the world since last fall.
Japan Times
LIFE / JAPAN FASHION WEEK
Apr 12, 2009

Focus on: Bryanboy

Meet Bryanboy, a breakout celebrity blogger who is known for a dainty swagger but a fierce penchant for all that is fashion. The Manila-based 27-year-old Filipino (right) has become an international sensation with his blog, which has produced a legion of fans, a Marc Jacobs bag named after him, and an...
COMMENTARY
Apr 12, 2009

Welcome development in U.S.-China dialogue

HONG KONG — All indications are that the first summit meeting between the new American president, Barack Obama, and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, went extremely well. The American leader has already accepted an invitation to visit Beijing later this year.
Japan Times
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Apr 12, 2009

Setoguchi emerges as bright star

In his first full NHL season, San Jose Sharks right wing Devin Setoguchi has established himself as a formidable offensive force for the league's top team.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Apr 11, 2009

Good students eat their English lessons

With many Japanese parents pulling their children out of private English language schools to save money these days, I recommend that they try home schooling. There is no reason why parents can't give their kids English lessons at home by leaving the teaching to food.
COMMENTARY
Apr 11, 2009

The peacemaking process has a cultural dimension

Peace is not simply an absence of military conflict. It is a long process in which potential or actual opponents can deepen their understanding of each other and correct misperceptions or misunderstandings. If this aspect is lacking, military conflict can easily break out again.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 11, 2009

International school built to serve

Early last year, Masayasu Kano, a seasoned schoolteacher, quit his local private high school to take on a new challenge. He had only a couple years left until retirement.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2009

Imperial Couple happy on 50th anniversary

The greatest joy of their marriage is that they have been able to enjoy their 50th anniversary in good health and Empress Michiko's good sense of humor has made their relationship even happier, Emperor Akihito told a news conference earlier this week to mark the matrimonial milestone.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 10, 2009

Simon & Garfunkel

The news that Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are touring again is bittersweet for many people. Reportedly, the purpose of the reunion is to make up for the pair's neglect of Asia and Oceania during their last tour in 2001, so there will be no stops in North America or Europe. And since it has been informally...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 10, 2009

'Who Killed Nancy? The True Story . . .'/'Stranded: I've Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains'

When Nancy Spungen, groupie girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist and punk icon Sid Vicious, was found dead in the couple's room at New York City's Chelsea Hotel on Oct. 12, 1978, few were surprised. Vicious was known for his explosive outbursts, Spungen for her grating personality, and both for their serious...
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Apr 10, 2009

Age knows no boundaries for flutist

He celebrated his 80th birthday in January, but Swiss flutist Peter- Lukas Graf — who is still active as a performer, conductor and teacher — is touring Japan.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Apr 10, 2009

Age knows no boundaries for flutist

He celebrated his 80th birthday in January, but Swiss flutist Peter- Lukas Graf — who is still active as a performer, conductor and teacher — is touring Japan.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 10, 2009

Looking beyond the Premier Cru

Nothing can quite beat the elegance of haut couture: the individual tailoring, the attention to detail and the assurance that you'll be the envy of others. The elegance is unparalleled — and the price tag can be, too. By the same token, for sheer elegance and finesse, the classic wines from the top...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 10, 2009

Looking beyond the Premier Cru

Nothing can quite beat the elegance of haut couture: the individual tailoring, the attention to detail and the assurance that you'll be the envy of others. The elegance is unparalleled — and the price tag can be, too. By the same token, for sheer elegance and finesse, the classic wines from the top...
Reader Mail
Apr 9, 2009

Few practical reasons for English

Najma Janjua's March 31 Community page letter, "Look overseas to address Japan's lag in English ability," raises important concerns and offers useful suggestions. However, I believe high levels of English-language proficiency in any country spring from a broader range of factors.
Reader Mail
Apr 9, 2009

An admirable Japanese export

Regarding the March 25 article "Japanese give Paris tidiness lesson": It is nice to learn that the Japanese are trying to spread their culture of cleanliness to other places. Every time I returned to my country after spending a year in Japan, I used to get a shock when I saw the difference. Some people...
Reader Mail
Apr 9, 2009

Point well made with sarcasm

I want to congratulate Kris Kosaka for the very well written March 31 Zeit Gist article, "Women, know your place." As someone who is very fond of satire, I enjoyed the sharp bite and felt compelled to check for a puddle under my paper due to the dripping sarcasm.
Reader Mail
Apr 9, 2009

Playing the fool in hard times

On April 1, I combed The Japan Times hoping to find an April Fools' Day story to match the one two years ago about "Hachiko." I think I found it in the April 2 article "Axed Brazilians, Peruvians to be paid to leave Japan."

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes