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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2020

Four priorities for a global pandemic strategy

The world initially met the COVID-19 crisis in an uncoordinated fashion, with too many countries ignoring the warning signs and going it alone. It is now clear that the only way out of it is together.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 1, 2020

Are Tokyo's hospitals and health care system ready for a COVID-19 storm?

With the number of COVID-19 cases in Tokyo having nearly quadrupled in 10 days, it seems no longer a question of whether Japan will declare a national emergency, but when and how.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 1, 2020

U.S. and South Korea near tentative troop-funding deal, report says

The U.S. and South Korea have tentatively reached a military cost-sharing agreement, the Yonhap news agency reported, potentially ending months of bickering over demands from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for a massive increase.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 1, 2020

In China, a young diplomat rises as aggressive foreign policy takes root

Diplomats returning from overseas postings don't usually receive special attention at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a vast government bureaucracy with thousands of staff.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 1, 2020

Health experts call pandemic a window into future climate threats

The coronavirus pandemic is a preview of the types of global health threats that will emerge as the planet becomes hotter, and how it is tackled has implications for dealing with climate threats as well, health experts said on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 31, 2020

U.S. base workers set for furlough in blow to South Korea alliance

The U.S. military is set to put almost half of its 8,500 South Korean civilian workers on furlough, as the two sides bicker over the Trump administration’s demands for a massive increase in troop funding.
Japan Times
SPORTS
Mar 31, 2020

North American teams face long struggle to draw fans when outbreak subsides

When North American sports leagues return to action after the coronavirus crisis, questions are sure to linger over whether the fans will be willing, or have the resources, to pack stadiums as they once did, sports analysts have said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 30, 2020

WeWork’s imperiled $3 billion stock sale would mostly benefit five investors

In a deal that’s currently at risk of falling apart, a handful of investors would be the main beneficiaries of SoftBank Group Corp.’s plan to buy $3 billion of WeWork stock, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 30, 2020

Australia denies collusion was behind decision to withdraw from Tokyo Games

The Australian Olympic Committee has said its decision to pull out of the 2020 Tokyo Games was unilateral and made without the knowledge of Canada or the International Olympic Committee.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / FOREIGN AGENDA
Mar 30, 2020

Facing the COVID-19 crisis in Japan with a disability

One thing that's clear about the coronavirus pandemic is that if even one person is left behind, it could prove disastrous to us all.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 30, 2020

Passengers on ‘death ship’ plead for rescue as coronavirus strikes

For passengers on a Holland America Line cruise ship, a fun-filled voyage on the luxury liner is quickly turning into a nightmare with deteriorating conditions on board and fears of a full-blown coronavirus outbreak after four travelers died and two others were infected.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2020

Abe urges vigilance to avoid COVID-19 spike and vows extraordinary steps to aid economy

The prime minister said the virus battle would be a long one, especially if people drop their guard, but pledged economic relief surpassing that for the 2008 financial crisis.
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2020

Flying low: The battle over Tokyo’s airspace

Haneda Airport's new flight paths commence despite concerns from aviation experts and public opposition.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 28, 2020

China's Wuhan, where the new coronavirus emerged, begins to lift its lockdown

The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak first emerged, began lifting a two-month lockdown on Saturday by restarting some metro services and reopening borders, allowing some semblance of normality to return and families to reunite.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2020

Tokyo heads into critical weekend facing risk of coronavirus lockdown

Tokyo stands at a critical juncture this weekend as a request for residents to isolate themselves aims to prevent a major spike in cases of the novel coronavirus and help avoid a citywide lockdown.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 27, 2020

South America's indigenous people lock down as coronavirus takes hold

For decades, indigenous groups from Colombia to Brazil have been fighting the threat to their lives posed by oil exploration, deforestation and illegal logging.
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 27, 2020

Pandas, slugs and ants give clues to making greener biofuels

In a world aiming to shift to greener energy, could slugs, ants and even pandas help show the way?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 27, 2020

Squarepusher speaks up for a little human kindness

In 2016, shortly after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Tom Jenkinson released a plaintive protest song under his Squarepusher alias, titled “MIDI Sans Frontieres.” Though he’s better known for maximalist explosions of breakbeats, hyperactive acid synths and fusion-jazz frippery,...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Mar 26, 2020

Springtime cuisine with a French twist

Springtime cuisine with a French twist Dishes prepared by executive chef Masahiro Ishihara of Blanc Rouge at The Tokyo Station Hotel speaks of elegant, high-end modern French cuisine. The acclaimed chef sources his produce from all over Japan with menus typically skewing toward prime meats and seafood....
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Mar 26, 2020

Olympic delay could send Samurai Japan back to drawing board

One of the common threads in the comments from many of Japan’s top players before spring training was about how much each was motivated by the prospect of trying to win gold on home soil during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 25, 2020

25 years after Tokyo subway attack, Aum is a shadow of its former self

Doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo's sarin gas attack on Tokyo subway trains shocked Japan and the world, raising concerns over nonstate organizations obtaining weapons of mass destruction.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 25, 2020

As COVID-19 cripples live music, hopeful promoters look ahead

This year’s edition of the Japan Nite event at the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival (SXSW) was going to be special. It would have marked the event’s 25th anniversary of showcasing Japanese artists to fans in Austin, Texas, with a North American tour to follow.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 24, 2020

Averting economic disaster is the easy part

It may be too late to avert a public health crisis, but policymakers can still implement the fiscal and monetary measures needed to prevent an economic catastrophe.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 24, 2020

Grim guidelines prioritize health workers as hospitals swell

ICU beds and ventilators shouldn't be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Health-care workers should get priority. Patients with a better chance of recovery should get access to limited life-saving equipment, over those who are more sick.

Longform

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb