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BUSINESS / Longform
Mar 27, 2023

Can the return of international cruises bolster Japan’s beleaguered tourism industry?

The industry is struggling to deal with pandemic-induced challenges such as staff shortages and concerned residents near ports.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Mar 27, 2023

Support for new Fukushima Prefecture residents key to tackling depopulation

The number of people moving to the area is on the rise, but with some new arrivals then moving away again, the prefecture is faced with a growing issue.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Mar 27, 2023

TSMC’s Kumamoto plant tests Kyushu’s readiness to meet surging investment

The world's leading chip manufacturer has invested around ¥1 trillion in the construction of the sprawling industrial complex, which is expected to employ some 1,700 workers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 27, 2023

Twitter says parts of its source code were leaked online

The leak adds to the challenges facing the Elon Musk-owned company, which is trying to identify the person responsible and any other people who downloaded the code.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 26, 2023

Inside Ukraine’s scramble for 'game-changer' drone fleet

As it struggles to narrow its military gap with Moscow, Kyiv says it is expanding its drone program for both reconnaissance and over longer-range strikes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 25, 2023

‘Baby Assassins 2 Babies’: Flying fists with a side of social commentary

Yugo Sakamoto channels Quentin Tarantino in comedy style and verbosity in his action film about a pair of bickering hitwomen who find themselves on the outs with their assassins guild.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 24, 2023

Le Makeup gives himself a sonic glow up on 'Odorata'

The Kansai-based artist digs deep on his latest album, using sensory details as the backdrop for his self-reflection and exploring new sounds through rap collaborations.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 22, 2023

A subtropical haven for conventions

Selecting the perfect location for a major convention or training camp requires a delicate balance. The need to provide high-quality infrastructure and ensure the safety and comfort of participants must be supported by interesting cultural sights and activities. And having good weather certainly helps....
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 21, 2023

China’s EV revolution shows grim future for Japan’s car titans

Although chip shortages and supply chain snarls have played a part in Japanese automakers' falling sales in China, a growing issue is the lack of attractive EV offerings.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 20, 2023

Lab leak or not? How politics shaped the battle over COVID-19’s origin

In the U.S., Democrat-Republican political divisions mean that the evidence for competing theories on the origin of the virus is often filtered through partisan political lenses.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Mar 20, 2023

Obihiro reducing parents’ burden to help retain young skaters

The change saw the number of junior high school students newly joining the team double in 2022.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 20, 2023

Scratched EV battery? Your insurer may have to junk the whole car

Battery packs can cost tens of thousands of dollars and represent up to 50% of an EV's price tag, often making it uneconomical to replace them.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Mar 20, 2023

Obihiro in need of balancing act to secure skating rink for children

Overall participation in skating has decreased in the Hokkaido city, and officials believe that access to local facilities is key to expanding the sport.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Mar 20, 2023

Obihiro offers advanced training environment for nurturing top skaters

The city in Hokkaido boasts leading training facilities, including an indoor speedskating center and flat land ideal for cycling as a form of additional conditioning.
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2023

Weathering the storm: How Japan is factoring climate change into defense policy

Until recently, there was only limited interest in climate security within Japan’s defense circles, but that has changed as the challenges have become more evident.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 19, 2023

What happens when your AI chatbot stops loving you back?

Some companies that found an audience seeking romantic and sexual relationships with chatbots are now pulling back.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Mar 19, 2023

Racial dynamics are inescapable when dating in Japan. That doesn't mean your experience will be negative.

In the cross-cultural or international dating scene, politics can sometimes sneak in. Avoid the pitfalls simply by being aware of the conversation.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 18, 2023

Trump family failed to disclose foreign gifts — including Abe golf clubs — Democrats say

The former leader and his family allegedly failed to disclose gifts worth a total of more than $250,000 given by foreign governments while he was in the White House.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Mar 18, 2023

Celebrate spring with fresh furniture ideas from Japan

Recycled cabinets, artful sculptures and multipurpose workstations to spruce up your home.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / FOCUS
Mar 16, 2023

Xiaomi's slow shift in India to premium smartphones helps Samsung steal its crown

While Xiaomi remained focused on selling mobile phones under 10,000 rupees ($120), Indian consumers were willing to pay up for better looking models with richer features.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2023

Where is the fast fashion backlash?

For all the talk about shifting shopping patterns, there is no clear quantitative evidence of any demographic ditching fast fashion en masse.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 15, 2023

ChatGPT creator OpenAI debuts new GPT-4 AI system

The startup said the new version of the technology, which will be available to paid ChatGPT Plus subscribers, is more accurate, creative and collaborative.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 14, 2023

Japanese fans earn share of spotlight at World Baseball Classic

Crowds in attendance at Tokyo Dome's Pool B have been praised both for their enthusiasm and their attitude.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 14, 2023

Nuclear weapons loom large in a post-Ukraine world

A resentful and exhausted Russia is increasingly relying on nuclear arms to achieve its goals.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 13, 2023

Competition from the U.S. is forcing Europe to up its green game

Despite initial complaints about the Inflation Reduction Act, the EU has not reached for the panic button, even as companies shift their postures in response to competing incentives.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 13, 2023

Traditional ama fishing in Mie in danger as diver numbers plunge

The method is practiced primarily by women and is characterized by skin-diving and a hand-catching method that prevents overfishing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Mar 13, 2023

Miyagi to start use of smartphone app to aid nuclear accident evacuation

The app is aimed at speeding up evacuation by enabling residents to skip the process of having to go to evacuee reception stations to be allocated to shelters.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.