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EDITORIALS
Jul 10, 2016

SOFA-related change falls short

Japan should renegotiate the Status of Forces Agreement it has with the U.S. so it can have greater jurisdiction over crimes committed by Americans with U.S. military ties.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Jul 10, 2016

Japan's discriminatory koseki registry system looks ever more outdated

Once part of a panopticon-like system in which everyone would feel that they were being monitored but could also participate in the monitoring process, the kosei is now showing its age.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 10, 2016

Cameron calls vote on U.K. renewal of nuclear deterrent that may split Labour Party

Prime Minister David Cameron wants U.K. lawmakers to vote on whether to renew the country's nuclear weapons system on July 18, ordering a parliamentary ballot that may heighten divisions in the main opposition Labour Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 9, 2016

How long can Japan's old mens' club last?

Media coverage of the House of Councilors election campaign has been even more lacking in substance than usual. On July 2, Tokyo Shimbun noted how "low-key" the coverage has been on TV.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jul 9, 2016

Cracks are appearing in Japan's 'healthy' image

Few people snack on baby carrots. Most prefer the sweet, fat, high-calorie fare colloquially known as junk food.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 9, 2016

U.K. hopeful May warns of tough future after Brexit as rival Leadsom flaunts motherhood

The two rivals to become the U.K.'s next prime minister stepped up their campaigns, with Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom extolling the virtues of motherhood while Home Secretary Theresa May, who is childless, pledged to get Britain through the "difficult times" that Brexit will bring.
EDITORIALS
Jul 8, 2016

Social security and the election

The question of sustainability of the social security system will not go away when the Upper House race wraps up.
EDITORIALS
Jul 7, 2016

Don't rely on quake predictions

The government should focus its efforts on minimizing the damage caused by quakes rather than squandering resources trying to predict them.
WORLD
Jul 7, 2016

Criticized for sloppy Iraq reporting, U.K. spy agencies pursue reform

Britain's foreign spy agency concluded within months of the invasion of Iraq that two key intelligence reports it had received about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction were fabricated, a British inquiry disclosed on Wednesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 7, 2016

Bush, Howard stand by decision to invade Iraq after U.K. report lacerates Blair

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told U.S. President George W. Bush eight months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq "I will be with you, whatever," and relied on flawed intelligence and legal advice to go to war, a seven-year inquiry concluded on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 7, 2016

Growing activity in East China Sea shines spotlight on lack of Japan-China communication protocol

The Defense Ministry said fighter jets were scrambled a record 199 times between April and June in response to Chinese aircraft activity.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jul 6, 2016

Many pitfalls ahead for Japan's medal bid at Rio Olympics

Japan Olympic team manager Makoto Teguramori believes his side is capable of winning gold at this summer's Rio Games, but there are too many factors clouding the water to predict anything for certain.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jul 6, 2016

North Korea sends 'state-sponsored slaves' to Europe: rights group

In an attempt to circumvent international sanctions aimed at starving it of cash over its nuclear weapons program, North Korea has been sending hundreds of "state-sponsored slaves" to work in European Union nations, rights campaigners said Wednesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 6, 2016

Beyond Higgs boson: Physicists set to unveil collider's biggest data trove yet

Scientists at Europe's physics research center, CERN, are preparing to unwrap the biggest trove of data yet from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), three years after they confirmed the existence of the elusive Higgs boson.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2016

Kin view victim's bodies in Dhaka as attack highlights growing Islamic State threat

Bangladesh stepped up its probe into the Dhaka hostage siege Monday as relatives of the seven Japanese victims witnessed their suffering firsthand when they viewed and identified the tortured and disfigured bodies.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Jul 4, 2016

Let's discuss the Upper House election

The nation's major political parties have kicked off their official House of Councilors election campaigns, with the ruling bloc and a united opposition giving speeches centered on the economy around the country.
EDITORIALS
Jul 3, 2016

India's commitment to reform

India may come to miss Raghuram Rajan's commitment to deregulation after he steps down as governor of the nation's central bank.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 2, 2016

Gingrich, Christie lead field of possible Trump vice presidents

Republican stalwarts Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are at the top of Donald Trump's short list to be his vice presidential running mate, sources said, but the real estate developer is casting a wide net.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 1, 2016

Britain will not turn its back on Europe: ambassador

Britain will not walk away from Europe even as it prepares to leave the European Union, Britain's envoy to Japan said Friday.
Reader Mail
Jul 1, 2016

Abe's control of media leaves election tainted

There can be no focus on any election in Japan as long as the ruling government maintains its stranglehold on the media's freedom of speech ("Economy in focus as campaign starts for Upper House race," June 23). The electorate has been denied any objective understanding of the cunning or depth of deception...
Japan Times
JAPAN / THE JAPAN TIMES FORUM ON TICAD VI
Jun 30, 2016

Africa outlook seeing shift from assistance to investment

The sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) will be held in Nairobi on Aug. 27 and 28, where political and business leaders from around the world will discuss various issues facing the continent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / THE JAPAN TIMES FORUM ON TICAD VI
Jun 30, 2016

Infrastructure and stability are viewed as key

As the discussion continued, a clearer picture emerged of the obstacles facing Japanese investment in Africa. Key among them was the current state of infrastructure and the need for improving social security. Participants also expressed their expectations for TICAD VI and the role of TICAD in overcoming...
EDITORIALS
Jun 29, 2016

Time to close money loopholes

Lawmakers need to get to work on closing the gaping loopholes in the system controlling political funds.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 29, 2016

'The Program': Stephen Frears cycles round the edges

From the NFL's deflated footballs to the bribery allegations besmirching Tokyo's Olympic bid, it can feel like the entire apparatus of professional sport has become hopelessly corrupt. But are the fans also complicit?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 29, 2016

Child welfare law revised but tens of thousands remain institutionalized in Japan

A baby lies in a metal-bar cot drinking from a bottle perched on his pillow in a Tokyo orphanage. There's no one to hold and feed him or offer words of comfort.

Longform

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