Search - 2019

 
 
JAPAN / Politics
May 30, 2018

'Military geek' Shigeru Ishiba not afraid to criticize Abe but election math eludes

Upon attending the opening ceremony of a museum in April in Tottori Prefecture, veteran Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shigeru Ishiba made a sidesplitting appearance by dressing up as Majin Boo — the pudgy, baby-like villain in the popular anime "Dragon Ball."
JAPAN
May 24, 2018

Japan to temporarily withdraw UNESCO World Heritage bid for Amami and Okinawa isles

The government plans to temporarily withdraw its proposal for the addition of Amami-Okinawa islands to the UNESCO World Heritage list, with a goal of resubmitting the application to the international cultural body next year after revamping it, informed sources said Wednesday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
May 23, 2018

Naoya Inoue ready to make instant impact at new weight class in title fight against Jamie McDonnell

Naoya Inoue was a little surprised to get a title shot in his first fight in a new weight class, against someone he describes as the toughest boxer he has ever had to face in his professional career.
JAPAN
May 23, 2018

Ceremony held to mark start of construction of new station for Fukushima's J-Village soccer center

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for a new railway station that is to be constructed adjacent to the J-Village national soccer center in Fukushima Prefecture.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 23, 2018

Sunwolves' Hong Kong success could be catalyst for Asian expansion

The Sunwolves' win over the Stormers in Hong Kong last weekend was a big boost for rugby in Asia and justified the efforts of those who have pushed for a Super Rugby presence in the world's most populated continent.
JAPAN
May 22, 2018

First portrait of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko since enthronement unveiled

The Imperial Household Agency unveiled on Monday the first portrait of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko since their enthronement.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
May 21, 2018

Greece's outbound ambassador passes torch

Loukas Karatsolis, the outgoing Greek ambassador, met with The Japan Times at the embassy in April to share upcoming developments. He predicted a busy time ahead, with Japan and Greece celebrating 120 years of diplomatic ties in 2019.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 18, 2018

Lagging inflation and indecisiveness could delay Bank of Japan's exit from easing

The Bank of Japan's preferred inflation gauge fell for the second straight month in April, dropping from 0.9 percent in the previous month to 0.7 percent, as consumer prices refuse to cooperate with the BOJ's 2 percent inflation target, according to government data released Friday.
EDITORIALS
May 18, 2018

More reforms to drive up domestic demand needed

The government needs to press ahead with structural reforms to create new homegrown avenues of growth.
Reader Mail
May 18, 2018

Japan should ban or tax plastic bags

How could the editorial "Time to tackle the plastic problem" in the May 1 edition not mention bans on single-use plastic bags? Are you oblivious to their massive overuse here in Japan?
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
May 17, 2018

China launches first privately designed rocket

China launched its first privately developed rocket on Thursday, the latest milestone in its ambitious space exploration program.
Japan Times
WORLD / EU Special 2018
May 16, 2018

'Milestone year' yields firm progress

On behalf of the European Business Council in Japan (EBC), I would like to express my gratitude to The Japan Times for this opportunity to address its readers on Europe Day, which marks the 68th anniversary of the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, a date regarded as the starting point...
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 13, 2018

Thai activists drop protests but vow to resume if deal with junta fails

A Thai anti-government movement vowed on Sunday to resume its protests unless the ruling junta keeps the promises it made in return for the group agreeing to end more than a week of demonstrations ahead of a coup anniversary later this month.
Rugby / Coach's Eye
May 13, 2018

Eddie Jones: Preparation is key to Rugby World Cup success

I've got a calendar here and it says 495 days, four hours, five minutes and 23 seconds to the World Cup. We track it very closely.
EDITORIALS
May 12, 2018

An opposition merger that failed

The Kibo no To-DP merger seems to be yet another example of an unprincipled union of political parties in pursuit of numbers.
JAPAN / Politics
May 12, 2018

Japan considers new target to reduce fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP

The government is considering setting a new target to reduce Japan's fiscal deficit to 3 percent of nominal gross domestic product by fiscal 2021, informed sources said.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
May 11, 2018

'This is taking an awfully long time!' says scientist before assisted suicide

A 104-year-old Australian scientist killed himself in Switzerland on Thursday by lethal injection in an assisted suicide he hoped would trigger more lenient euthanasia laws in his home country.
JAPAN
May 10, 2018

Crown Princess Masako hopes to inherit Imperial sericulture tradition

Crown Princess Masako has expressed her hope to inherit the Imperial tradition of sericulture from Empress Michiko, Imperial Household Agency sources said Thursday.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 10, 2018

With vote for single market, U.K.'s Prime Minister May suffers 13th defeat in House of Lords over Brexit

The upper chamber of Parliament inflicted another embarrassing defeat this week on the government of U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, challenging her plan to leave the European Union's single market and her government's fixed timing for Brexit.

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