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Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 1, 2009

Words as images

On a single white sheet, the kanji for "snow" — yuki — printed in black, is repeated exactly 1,352 times in a symmetrical grid formation. A 1970 work by Niikuni Seiichi, "flowery snow" (1970) is at once calligraphy, poem and picture. In the Chinese literati tradition — which was influential on...
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 30, 2008

Half century on, Tokyo Tower still dazzles as landmark

Tokyo Tower, a long-standing landmark of the capital, celebrated its 50th birthday on Dec. 23. It still attracts about 3 million visitors a year and has provided the metropolis with good TV reception for decades.
Reader Mail
Dec 28, 2008

Opportunity to help children

Recently the focus of actress Aoi Miyazaki on the problem of trafficked children has been a wonderful way to get the attention of so many who can help. As a resident of San Francisco, I personally would like to volunteer my own efforts in this work. Hundreds, even thousands of us, who live around the...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Dec 27, 2008

Who said no man is an island?

I saw 81-year-old Man-chan, along with the plumber, putting up Christmas decorations in the park next to the ferry port. This is the third year Man-chan has headed up this Christmas illumination project with the help of the plumber who puts up the Christmas lights. Each year the display expands — an...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 26, 2008

'Paris'/'Funny Games'

Director Cedric Klapisch's breakthrough film was 1996's "Chacun Cherche Son Chat" ("When The Cat's Away"), a documentary-like trifle about a lost cat that nevertheless seemed to say something essential about life in the anonymity of a big city. Klapisch set his film in Paris' 11th arrondisement, and...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Dec 24, 2008

Overseas aid benefits whom?

PHNOM PENH CAMBODIA — Despite widespread awareness and censure of human rights violations, Japan, the United States and member nations of the European Union continue to give aid to governments that use the money to enrich themselves while ravaging ecosystems and brutalizing their own citizens. China...
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 21, 2008

The Japanese art of useless homes

Last spring, when the effects of the American sub-prime loan disaster were being felt but the world economy was still relatively OK, there was an article in the Asahi Shimbun written by one of the paper's financial reporters who recalled several years earlier a visit from a friend living in the United...
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Dec 21, 2008

Southern All Stars-inspired drama; Takeshi as Tojo; and communal living

Though they officially retired a few months ago, Japan's most beloved rock band, Southern All Stars, just won't go away. On Monday, Nihon TV will present a special two-hour drama, "Za Naminori Resutoran" ("The Wave-riding Restaurant") (8:54 p.m.), which is built around 30 SAS songs.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / BACKSTREET STORIES
Dec 19, 2008

Let's pray to the Great Black One

In Tokyo, it's prudent to pray to the Great Black One if you want to improve your financial outlook for the coming year. Putting in a good word for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama wouldn't hurt as well, once you arrive at the Slope of the Great Black One, or Daikokuzaka, a back street minutes from...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 13, 2008

Beyond Pax Americana?

NEW YORK — It has become popular to suggest that when the dust settles from the global financial crisis, it may become clear that the United States-led postwar world has come to an end.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Dec 10, 2008

Sony brings home the convenience of FeliCa

Smart money: Japan's old-fashioned notions about money are evaporating one innovation at a time. Although people are getting used to carrying around cash that they can't see, managing those funds often involves a trip to a convenience store or a bank. Sony Corp. will relieve some of that hassle next...
Reader Mail
Dec 7, 2008

Fingerprinting law is unjust

Regarding the Nov. 29 article "Fingerprint screening stops 846": We're all glad that immigration authorities are stopping people from using fake passports, but that does little to change the fact that the fingerprinting law is fundamentally flawed.
BASEBALL / SPORTS SCOPE
Dec 5, 2008

Spirits with Koga as she claimed JLPGA money title

Miho Koga was finally able to break through.
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2008

Politicians failing to engage youth

One of the oldest rules in politics the world over is that young people stay away in droves.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Dec 5, 2008

'Kyoto Winter Special'

Following its great success last year, the "Kyoto Winter Special" promotional campaign returns with a "Four Nights for the Price of Three" accommodation package at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto from Dec. 7 to March 18.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Dec 5, 2008

Restaurant & Wine Cellar Davis: What delicacies hide in Takanawa

When Shoko Davis first opened her Wine Cellar more than 10 years ago, it felt like the ultimate neighborhood restaurant. Not just because it ticked all the boxes in terms of food, drink and ambience, but also because it was so far off most people's radar.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2008

Passive smoking has restaurant diners breathing fire: survey

Despite steps taken by the government to curb passive smoking, a survey released Tuesday by drug maker Pfizer Japan Inc. found many are still bothered by other restaurant diners' lit cigarettes.
COMMENTARY
Dec 1, 2008

Lessons for India after three days of terror

WATERLOO, Ontario — Mumbai is remarkably resilient in bouncing back to a semblance of normalcy within days. We've been here before — in 1993 and again in 2006 — when terrorists killed more than 200 people each time. Each time the government expresses shock, promises resolute action against the...
EDITORIALS
Nov 30, 2008

More horror in Mumbai

Terrorists launched a multipronged siege of the Indian city of Mumbai last week, which left at least 195 people dead and more than 300 wounded. The attacks are an offense against all civilized people and must be roundly condemned. But words alone are not enough. Those responsible for this outrage, and...
Reader Mail
Nov 30, 2008

Noxious fumes from ashtrays

In recent years here, smoking while walking on public streets has been outlawed in many places and smoking outside of designated smoking zones is becoming less and less acceptable. As a nonsmoker, I appreciate these efforts, but one unfortunate result of such restrictions is to concentrate smokers in...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 30, 2008

Splendors for all: the best of Asia

It's all subjective of course, but read on for this traveler's picks of the places to go for (almost) anything you might choose to do in this splendiferous and ever-fascinating part of the world.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami