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Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 24, 2014

Manic Sheep, Wedance represent overseas indie at Fuji Rock Festival

Since 2001, Fuji Rock's Rookie a Go-Go stage has spotlighted indie talents not quite ready for the festival's larger areas. Acts apply to play — this year 1,300 bands vied for 15 slots — and with the exception of Taiwan's Go Chic in 2010, all the past performers have been locals. But this summer...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 23, 2014

The Scottish song heard around the world

"Sunshine on Leith" was a much-loved stage musical, featuring the songs of Scottish band The Proclaimers, that ran from 2007 to 2013. But when Dexter Fletcher signed on to direct the film adaptation of the musical, he had never seen it.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2014

Technique to prevent drowning catches on

To prevent drownings, a growing number of children around Asia are being trained using a Japanese technique called "uitemate," meaning floating and waiting.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 23, 2014

Ozawa sees risk of militarism with Abe

When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe loosened the limits of the pacifist Constitution to drop a ban on the Self-Defense Forces fighting overseas, many experts said it was a step toward becoming a "normal country" able to do more in its own defense.
BUSINESS
Jul 23, 2014

Arctic ice melt seen fueling South Korea's hopes of becoming oil hub

Melting Arctic ice is widening a path for ships to deliver European oil to Asia, stoking South Korea's ambition to become a regional storage and trading hub.
JAPAN
Jul 22, 2014

Government's tourism efforts ineffective, report says

The government probably can't take credit for the increase in the number of foreign tourists. Many of its projects to attract visitors, such as inviting foreign travel agencies to Japan, participating in trade shows overseas and various advertising campaigns, are ineffective.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 22, 2014

Geopolitics trumps economics

Western countries' insensitivity toward others' voices, values and interests lies behind the creation and evolution of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), whose New Development Bank will give priority to loans for developing countries to finance infrastructure projects and industrialization.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / NFL NOTEBOOK
Jul 21, 2014

Noll lives on through Steelers legacy

The late Chuck Noll, legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, has his name on a street outside Heinz Field and the team's training camp site. Now he will have a day named after him.
MORE SPORTS
Jul 21, 2014

Murata determined to make major impact

For Ryota Murata, the middleweight gold medal he earned in London wields power.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jul 21, 2014

Chores, charges and chin-wags: the chōnaikai ties that bind

Perhaps fearing that the entire council could fall apart, some neighborhood associations resort to drastic measures to keep members active and in line. The culture clash is not foreigner vs. Japanese, but traditional vs. modern.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Jul 20, 2014

NPO chief builds a barrier-free world for the disabled and disadvantaged

The founder of two nonprofit organizations in Japan working across Asia, Michiyo Yoshida has become an expert on international philanthropy, teaching courses on NPOs at universities in Sapporo and traveling all over the nation to counsel others.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 20, 2014

Red-yellow scrum moves beyond the border

As the U.S. hosts the largest number of Thai immigrants — about 250,000 — it stands to reason that Thailand's color-coded politics would land on its shores. Both camps are trying to lobby the U.S. government.
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2014

Few biting so far on special visa for workers

Indefinite stay, ramped-up privileges so far failing to attract highly skilled foreign workers said to be key to the nation's economic revival.
ENVIRONMENT / FUKUSHIMA FILE
Jul 20, 2014

New radiation measurement method spreads confusion

Confusion is spreading among towns and cities tasked with radiation cleanup in the face of a new decontamination policy to be released by the Environment Ministry as early as this month.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2014

Aging Yokotas pine for daughter's return from North Korea as abductee talks begin

Shigeru and Sakie Yokota may have their best chance yet of being reunited with their daughter, Megumi, 37 years after she was abducted by North Korean agents at age 13.
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jul 19, 2014

Politician Nonomura weeps and the world laughs

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, but has trouble enough of its own."
COMMENTARY / Japan / COUNTERPOINT
Jul 19, 2014

Modi's upcoming Japan visit signals closer ties

India's newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Tokyo in August to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, signaling closer bilateral ties infused by personal chemistry and shared values. The Namo-Shinzo show will be an elaborately choreographed red-carpet extravaganza to highlight the two...
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Jul 19, 2014

'Leaving the world' to gain freedom

A challenge: Scan Japanese history in search of freedom fighters. You won't find many. Not freedom but submission was the proud Japanese ideal.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 19, 2014

Plane disaster 'wake-up' call for Europe: Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama said the downing of a Malaysian jetliner in a Ukrainian region controlled by Russian-backed separatists should be a "wake-up call for Europe and the world" in a crisis that appears to be at a turning point and warned Russia of possible tightening of sanctions.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’