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Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2017

Japanese workers feel guilty taking time off and use fewer holidays than their international peers: survey

A survey revealed that Japanese used 50 percent of their vacation days, placing them at the bottom of the list for the second consecutive year.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Dec 9, 2017

Diego Pellecchia: When heavy metal and noh collide

Noh scholar and practitioner talks about what noh, heavy metal and fantasy literature have in common.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 8, 2017

Half of Uny superstores will become Don Quijote outlets

Major Japanese retailer FamilyMart Uny Holdings Co. will convert about half of its Uny superstores into discount retail outlets operated by its business partner Don Quijote Holdings Co., FamilyMart Uny President Koji Takayanagi said in a recent interview with Jiji Press.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 7, 2017

Kanayama rice terraces 'an impressive feat of human ingenuity'

Looking out the window as the bullet train crosses into northern Iwate Prefecture, the mighty Tohoku mountains stand tall behind deep forests, rice paddies and the occasional sleepy town. Long gone is the constant buzzing of cars and a view that stops on the other side of the street. If it weren't for...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Dec 6, 2017

In Japan, rarefied manners abound but courtesy is less common

Japanese manners are often remarked upon with awe and wonder by visitors, but you seldom hear a word about Japanese courtesy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 5, 2017

Uber joins forces with global public transport group UITP in bid to boost local-level relations

Ride-hailing app Uber said it is joining a global public transport association to improve mobility in the cities it operates in, although North America's largest public transit union said there was no place for the U.S. company.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Dec 5, 2017

How to tell if North Korea is about to test a nuclear bomb

When North Korea unleashed an earth-shaking nuclear bomb of as much as 250 kilotons on Sept. 3, one man wasn't fazed.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 4, 2017

Don't worry, China isn't taking over the world just yet

Some of China's greatest economic advances depend heavily on local conditions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Dec 4, 2017

Brazilian cartoonist's manga helps his young compatriots adjust to school life in Japan

Famous Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa has created a manga introducing Japanese school life to Brazilian children who have migrated to Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 4, 2017

Frederik Schodt recalls the 'different world' of manga translation in the 1970s

'I loved manga but there was no way to make a living (with it),' recalls manga translation pioneer Frederik Schodt.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Dec 3, 2017

Different constitutions, similar defect?

The Meiji Constitution rise and fall of the affects contemporary constitutional attitudes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Dec 2, 2017

'A Brief History of Japan': Jonathan Clements guides readers from ancient lore to otaku obsessions

Ask any Japanese high school student which is their most difficult subject, and chances are they'll answer Japanese History — a consequence of the endless litany of dates, names and battles they need to memorize. Pity then, that they don't use this little book in class, because it manages to make thousands...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 1, 2017

There's no escaping the sea in historic port city of Shimonoseki

The Yamaguchi city that's famous for its puffer fish offers a wealth of experiences.
Reader Mail
Dec 1, 2017

Don't punish everyone in the U.S. military

Regarding the story "U.S. military restricts travel and bans drinking after fatal Okinawa traffic accident" in the Nov. 21 edition, in 1961, I was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa for three months and was then transferred to the receiver site on Iejima, where I served for 11 months.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Dec 1, 2017

The thinking behind Kim Jong Un's 'madness'

On an icy December day in 2011, North Korea's new leader Kim Jong Un was accompanied by seven advisers as they escorted the hearse that carried his father, Kim Jong Il, through the streets of Pyongyang.
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Nov 30, 2017

Bountiful berry buffet beautifully bewitches

The Hilton Tokyo Odaiba will offer a strawberry dessert buffet, dubbed the Kawaii Masquerade Party, at the Seascape Terrace Dining from Dec. 26 to March 15.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Nov 29, 2017

The consummation of cool is a funny business for comedian Ike Nwala

Turn on the TV in Japan and you're likely to see a black face from time to time. Rarely will it be in a drama, but on game shows, variety and comedy shows, even some commercials. I wouldn't say we're commonplace, but we're out there. And, honestly, I used to dread every instance. Still do, actually,...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 27, 2017

As Abe pushes for structural reform, old Japan Inc. culture fights back

While Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's vaunted third arrow — structural reforms — has generally been rated as unsuccessful, his administration has received high praise from Japan analysts for shaking up the country's corporate management system.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Nov 27, 2017

German envoy draws lessons from differences

In the early days of his diplomatic career, when Hans Carl von Werthern realized it was his fault that a key German Cabinet minister was absent from a delegation greeting China's prime minister, he feared the mistake would cost him his future.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 26, 2017

Education: Best investment for our future

Japan should spend more on education, in particular to reduce average class sizes.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 26, 2017

Kansai biz leaders give Tokyo their project-funding wish list

Of the many Japanese autumn traditions, one not found in tourist guidebooks is the drawing up of wish lists by influential business organizations from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Nov 25, 2017

Designer Takeshi Nishio prefers 'cute' to 'cool'

'Kawaii' has more sense of affection than 'kakkoii,' says designer Nishio.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 24, 2017

Staying on top of winter in Japan with snowshoes

Among snowshoeing's chief pleasures is the ability to walk across fresh powdery snow without sinking, often surrounded by complete silence — something one has to experience to appreciate.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 24, 2017

Gaming industry treads precarious path as it brings in-game purchases to PC and console titles

Free, it turns out, can be a great business.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 23, 2017

Uber's messy data breach collides with launch of SoftBank deal

Uber, nearing a deal with SoftBank, says it paid hackers destroy data on more than 57 million users stolen from the company but not reported to victims or authorities.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Nov 23, 2017

Sun, sand and the silver screen

Launched in 1981 by Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) was the first film festival in the United States to focus on films from the Asia-Pacific region. Being a bridge between East and West is still its mission, but HIFF now has plenty of company around the world....

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