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WORLD / Society
Mar 11, 2016

Gender stereotypes stubbornly unchanged over 30 years, U.S. study says

Stereotypes about men and women in the United States are largely unchanged from 30 years ago, a new study shows, in findings that researchers said could be reflected in this year's presidential election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 11, 2016

Nikon, Casio in short sellers' sights as tech pessimism abounds

Hedge funds have boosted their bearish bets on Japanese technology companies such as Nikon Corp. and Casio Computer Co. as the industry struggles to deliver the next killer product.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 11, 2016

Abe economic adviser Honda appointed ambassador to Switzerland

A key economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who has been a strong advocate of monetary stimulus will become Japan's ambassador to Switzerland, according to a notice issued by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 11, 2016

BOJ negative rate seen as top tool by analysts, with cut by July

The Bank of Japan's new negative rate is the most likely tool for any expansion of stimulus, with a majority of economists in a survey forecasting additional easing by July.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 11, 2016

Toilet-maker Toto looks to Chinese to change cultural habits to boost sales

Nearly all Japanese have converted to using seated toilets since 1977 when they first overtook the squatting versions. For future growth, Japan's largest toilet—maker Toto Ltd. is looking toward neighboring China.
Japan Times
JAPAN / 5-YEAR MEMORIAL OF GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE
Mar 11, 2016

Maintaining remnants of disaster for future

Sept. 1, known as Disaster Prevention Day, was designated as such by the government in 1960. On this day every year, cities and towns nationwide, as well as schools, companies and even small community groups, run evacuation drills to prepare for natural disasters such as typhoons, landslides and earthquakes....
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Mar 11, 2016

Iran executions hit 20-year high in 2015, U.N. investigator says

Iran executed nearly 1,000 prisoners last year, the highest number in two decades, and hundreds of journalists, activists and opposition figures languish in custody, a United Nations investigator said Thursday.
JAPAN / REVISITING 3/11
Mar 10, 2016

Radiation woes dog Tepco's efforts to decommission Fukushima No. 1

It's hard to forget the shocking TV footage of hydrogen explosions at three reactor buildings days after the massive earthquake and tsunami struck the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in March 2011, resulting in a triple core meltdown and the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 10, 2016

Honda debuts Clarity, its first mass production hydrogen car

Automaker hopes the fuel cell vehicle will secure wide take-up amid a national push for zero-emissions hydrogen technology.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 10, 2016

Time to redraw the map of the Middle East

The Middle East map should to redrawn to reflect current ethnic, tribal, religious and political realities.
WORLD
Mar 10, 2016

U.S. warns Mosul dam collapse would be catastrophic

The United States and Iraq on Wednesday hosted a meeting of senior diplomats and U.N. officials to discuss the possible collapse of the Mosul hydroelectric dam, which U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said would create a catastrophe of "epic proportions."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 10, 2016

Cheaper taxi rates to be trialed in Tokyo, Osaka in bid to lure more elderly, tourists

The transport ministry plans to trial lower base fares for short taxi rides.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 10, 2016

BOJ should ease further, says Abe adviser Honda

The Bank of Japan should use a combination of a more-negative benchmark rate and enlarged asset purchases "sometime, before long" to help the economy, according to Etsuro Honda, an adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 10, 2016

China, South Korea step up sanctions on North Korea

China has barred a North Korean freighter from one of its ports and South Korea announced a crackdown on individuals and companies linked to Pyongyang's weapons program, stepping up sanctions against the isolated state.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 9, 2016

LDP ponders bid by inspirational sports writer in Upper House election

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering fielding famed sport journalist and educator Hirotada Ototake, who was born without limbs due to a congenital disorder, as a candidate for an Upper House election this summer, reports said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 9, 2016

BOJ no closer to reaching target for more women in management

The Bank of Japan has made no progress in increasing the proportion of women in management positions in the past two years.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 9, 2016

Suzuki touts India-made car's quality at parity with Japan

Suzuki Motor Corp., shipping India-built cars to Japan for the first time, said plants in its biggest market are now capable of making vehicles at the same level of quality as factories at home.
Japan Times
JAPAN / REVISITING 3/11
Mar 8, 2016

3/11 lesson: Prepare, at all costs, for the worst

Should a devastating earthquake hit central Tokyo tomorrow, the skyscraper office buildings of Mori Building Co. would be able to provide temporary shelter for about 10,000 people.
JAPAN
Mar 8, 2016

Funassyi character lends support and product license to Tohoku recovery groups

The pear-like character Funassyi may seem at first glance to be from another world, but the unofficial mascot of Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, is starting to make a real difference in this one.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 8, 2016

Tokyo court rejects retrial bid over 1959 ruling that U.S. military's presence in Japan is constitutional

The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday dismissed a retrial request over a 1959 Supreme Court ruling that found the U.S. military's presence in Japan constitutional.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 8, 2016

Chinese foreign minister accuses Japanese government of 'double dealing'

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Japan of "double dealing," as tensions linger between Asia's two biggest economies over disputed islands and Japanese officials join international criticism of China's efforts to build artificial islands in disputed waters.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 8, 2016

SoftBank to split responsibility for Japan, overseas operations

SoftBank Group Corp. plans to divide its Japanese and overseas operations, splitting the responsibility for managing some ¥9.2 trillion of investments spanning the broadband and mobile industries and a stake in China's largest Internet-shopping service.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Mar 8, 2016

Despite Xi's 'iron hand' warning to polluters, city residents still choking under smog

Embracing a groundswell of public outrage about toxic air ahead of annual legislative meetings last year in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping threatened to punish polluters with an "iron hand."

Longform

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