Search - 2013

 
 
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2014

North Korea's nukes are much scarier than its hacks

While the world's attention focuses on North Korea's cyberwar with Sony Pictures, the Hermit Kingdom is rapidly increasing its stockpile of nuclear weapons material, with real little pushback from the U.S.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2014

America's gun culture and the manly virtues

As growing economic autonomy among American women reshapes breadwinning and gender roles, it's getting tough out there for tough guys. So it doesn't take much imagination to grasp the appeal of holding a gun to some men.
Japan Times
CULTURE / CULTURE SMASH
Dec 26, 2014

Sanrio's 'Nutcracker' offers visual experience in 3-D

For anyone raised in the West, the year-end holidays in Japan can be a jarring experience, at least for the uninitiated. Decorated trees, illuminated boulevards and carols in convenience stores coincide with Colonel Sanders statuettes remade into Santa Claus and mini-skirted chorus girls in reindeer...
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Dec 26, 2014

Allardyce coming good at West Ham

Four years ago this month, Blackburn Rovers' new owners sacked Sam Allardyce, who had led the club to a 10th-place finish the previous season and were 13th in the Premier League when the axe fell.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Dec 26, 2014

Carnations inspire creation of unique bubbly in Nagoya

Talk about bouquet. Meijo University in Nagoya has produced sparkling wine from grapes and yeast derived from carnations.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Dec 26, 2014

Scam shows China's shortage of brides reaching critical mass

In the villages outside Handan, China, a bachelor looking to marry a local girl needs to have as much as $64,000, the price tag for a suitable home and obligatory gifts. That is a bit out of the price range of many of the farmers in the area.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2014

41% of Hello Work job ads are misleading, ministry probe finds

A labor ministry probe into wanted ads placed on the Hello Work employment network finds that many mislead job-seekers with false claims about hours and pay.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 25, 2014

'Kawaii' gets a landmark

While Japanese cool hunters might lament the lack of pop cultural exports in recent years — all the more conspicuous when compared to K-Pop's successful forays westward — kawaii (cute) culture has quietly permeated into global consciousness with all the effortless grace of singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2014

Now boastful Japan not really in tune with what visitors want, foreign expert warns

Japan's self-professed "omotenashi" (spirit of selfless hospitality) is often misinterpreted to force predetermined services on foreign visitors, says one longtime observer.
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 25, 2014

Former U.S. President Bush, 90, remains in Houston hospital

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, 90, remained in a Houston hospital on Wednesday as a precaution after experiencing a shortness of breath, a spokesman for the 41st president said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 25, 2014

Top world news of 2014

The Japan Times editors selected these world stories as the most important of 2014.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / SYMPOSIUM ON EUROZONE
Dec 24, 2014

Experts examine eurozone economy

The European economy is in a complicated situation as deflationary risks loom and the effects of quantitative easing are questioned. Other factors add to the risk as Russia, a resurgent power that wields strong influence on the eurozone, is suffering from economic sanctions over its actions in Ukraine....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 24, 2014

2014: New horizons opened up in Japan's theater world

Looking back over the past 12 months in Japan's theater world, it's clear that one encouraging trend is a lessening of the capital's dominance.
WORLD
Dec 24, 2014

U.S. to pay $3.2 million to contractor freed from Cuba prison

Alan Gross, the contractor freed last week after five years in a Cuban jail will receive $3.2 million from the U.S. government as part of a settlement with his employer, the U.S. Agency for International Development announced on Tuesday.
BASKETBALL
Dec 23, 2014

Fukuoka fires Duncan after 6-16 start

The Rizing Fukuoka, who gutted their roster of several prominent bj-league veterans in the offseason, made another big move on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 23, 2014

Hashimoto quits Ishin leadership

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto resigns as co-leader of Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party) to focus on local elections in the spring, a move likely to further weaken the party's clout at the national level.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Dec 23, 2014

Ina Bauer gone, but move lives on

A significant figure in the world of skating passed away earlier this month with nary a mention in the mainstream media. It was both sad and a reminder of how quickly history can be forgotten.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years