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JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Jan 16, 2016

'It is I who rule' — Japan's 'Manyoshu' morning

What fun civilization is in its infancy! How bright and fresh the world looks at the dawn of consciousness! Listen:
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 15, 2016

China's Xinjiang region adopts nondiscrimination rules amid ethnic violence

China's western region of Xinjiang has set new rules to boost "ethnic solidarity," state media said on Friday, amid roiling violence between Muslim Uighurs and the majority Han Chinese that has left hundreds dead in recent years.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 15, 2016

The joy of eating Japan's traditional clay-pot cuisine

It's the autumn of 2013, and dusk falls over the historic Nagatani-en pottery works in the hills above the city of Iga, Mie Prefecture. As the employees finish their shifts and head home, the squat buildings fall quiet and dark — all except the 200-year-old residence at the heart of this artisan complex,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Jan 15, 2016

100 years of Japanese beauty in one minute

Cut is setting its lens on Japan as it shows the dramatic changes Japanese women have gone through in the past century.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / David Bowie in Japan
Jan 14, 2016

Like some cat from Japan: A tribute to David Bowie

The late David Bowie's appreciation of Japan and its culture was strong. Following his recent death, The Japan Times asked five people who share that connection with the country, and who witnessed the decade-spanning trajectory of this starman, to recall what his sound and vision meant to them.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 14, 2016

Tao takes an innovative approach to drum shows

The slogan goes, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Drum troupe Tao, however, thinks a successful show in Sin City could be the springboard to bigger things around the world.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 14, 2016

Don't believe all the myths about North Korea

Before figuring out what can be done about North Korea and its seemingly crazy dictatorship, we mustn't fall prey to four common myths about the hermit kingdom.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jan 13, 2016

Mothers want a word with the LDP's old guard over paternity leave slap-down

After LDP bigwigs took a young politician to task over his intention to take paternity leave, mothers vent their anger.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 12, 2016

How using Facebook makes people dumber

Facebook reinforces people's tendency to seek out information that confirms their beliefs, and to ignore contrary information.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 12, 2016

The business of being Bowie

David Bowie could see the future more clearly than most people.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 12, 2016

Hong Kong's 'Umbrella Soldiers' visiting Taiwan to see democracy at work

Hundreds of residents of Hong Kong, the Chinese-ruled territory rocked by street protests demanding free elections in 2014, have flown to Taiwan for Saturday's elections to see free-wheeling democracy in action.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 10, 2016

Jayda B leaves a dent on Tokyo's electronic scene

Radio host Jayda B is wrapping up an interview with Japanese electronic artist starRo as I enter JBS, a cozy Shibuya bar where the walls are lined with records. Later, she'll edit the recording down for her self-produced program DENTradio, which airs weekly on a radio station in her hometown of Atlanta....
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 10, 2016

Germany catches the North African disease

News that scores of women were sexually assaulted by young men of Middle Eastern appearance in Cologne, Germany, on New Year's Eve will come as no surprise to women in North Africa.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 9, 2016

Nagisa Oshima: 'You have to tell the truth about your country, whatever it is'

Jan. 15 marks the third anniversary of the renowned film director's death. Roger Pulvers, who knew him for more than 30 years and was his assistant on “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” discusses the man and his work
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jan 9, 2016

The heights and falls of Miyajima Island

My alarm sounded at 6:45 a.m., but I quickly silenced it and rolled over in my futon. I enjoyed a fleeting moment of quietude before the thrumming of rubber soles on pavement and accompanying excited voices crescendoed, a brief multilingual hubbub that then faded away for a minute or two before rising...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 9, 2016

Different-names ruling leaves door open to possibility of same-sex marriages

While the Supreme Court ruling said there is nothing unconstitutional about compelling married couples to register under one name, they didn't expressly limit marriage to a man and a woman.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / CHILD'S PLAY
Jan 9, 2016

Workshops to keep the children sweet

You and I can talk all day about differences between this country and that, and we can detail any number of parenting strategies and discuss how they differ from one culture to the next, but there are more similarities than differences, and one of the biggest common denominators is this: Kids want sweets....
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: FASHION
Jan 9, 2016

Avatar models, Sanrio menswear and disheveled clothing — fashion at its oddest

Louis Vuitton is being struck by Lightning
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Jan 9, 2016

Rediscovering Rikyu and the Beginnings of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

It is said that one of the best ways to become a person of culture is to study the Japanese tea ceremony, where nothing is permitted to be rushed and there are no short cuts to accomplishment.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 9, 2016

Indonesia works with China as ethnic Uighurs travel to join jihadis

Indonesia is working with China to stem a flow of ethnic Uighur militants seeking to join Islamist jihadis in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, according to Indonesia's counterterrorism chief.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 7, 2016

Music director Nott prepares for Tokyo Symphony Orchestra's 70th

It's not rare for a conductor from overseas to collaborate with a Japanese orchestra, but the case of Jonathan Nott stands out because of the speed at which he and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra cultivated their relationship.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 7, 2016

Tepco unveils loyalty tie-ups in bid to retain household customers

With the retail electricity market set to be deregulated in April, Tokyo Electric Power Co. on Thursday unveiled a range of new price plans that offer discounts to customers who sign up with specific partners.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 6, 2016

Mitsubishi UFJ plans division to pursue fintech endeavors

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. has set up a unit to research and develop new financial technologies, the first of its kind for a major Japanese bank, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES
Jan 5, 2016

For many young Japanese, marriage — and sex — are low priorities

This is the fourth in a five-part series on Japan's population woes caused by its graying society and low birthrate.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 5, 2016

Detroit-Silicon Valley crossover: GM antes up $500 million to forge self-driving car partnership with Lyft

General Motors Inc. and Lyft Inc. on Monday set out plans to develop an on-demand network of self-driving cars as the U.S. No. 1 automaker announced it would put $500 million into the ride-sharing service's latest $1 billion fundraising round.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jan 4, 2016

Let's discuss healthy eating in Japan

In a country where food culture permeates all aspects of life and society, it is perhaps unsurprising that Japan leads the 'World Health Olympics.'

Longform

In 2020, 38% of all households were single-person. That figure is projected to rise to 44.3% by 2050.
The rise of AI companionship in a lonely Japan