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Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 4, 2020

Who suffers the most from the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

Media outlets have long been trying to figure out what cancellation or postponement of the games would mean to Japan economically. They now have a much better idea.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 24, 2020

Let's discuss the mask shortage

The reselling of face masks for profit will become a crime punishable by a one-year prison term or a u00a51 million ($9,800) fine — or both — as demand surged amid the growing coronavirus epidemic, the government said Tuesday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 17, 2020

Let's discuss NHK's new web service

NHK plans to offer broadcasting on the internet, though the organization has had to scale back its goals.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 4, 2020

The financial fight against COVID-19

Fiscal, not monetary measures, should be when disasters and epidemics strike.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 18, 2020

Let's discuss plastic bag fees in Japan

Would you be willing to pay an extra fee for plastic bags if it meant we were able to use the money to help with larger environmentally friendly efforts?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Feb 17, 2020

Bureaucrats are to blame for copy-happy hotel clerks

With data privacy being a huge issue, you may feel uneasy about hotels photocopying your passport. However, Colin P.A. Jones says the rule is more about bureaucratic culture than privacy.
Reader Mail
Jan 24, 2020

Reducing work hours good for the environment

Manami Chiba's letter "Shorter hours good for work and people" in the Dec. 22 edition sounds like an affirmative argument I heard late last month at an event that is perhaps the epitome of English education in this nation — the All-Japan High School English Debate Tournament.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Dec 23, 2019

The Reiwa Daijosai: Pomp, circumstance and litigation

The separation of church and state in Japan comes under scrutiny in the new era. However, we've been down this road before.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 21, 2019

Japan's treatment of freelancers comes under the microscope

Veteran British filmmaker Ken Loach's latest work, "Sorry We Missed You," which opened in Japan recently, is about the gig economy, the new employment environment surrounding companies like the ride-sharing service Uber that don't so much hire people as give them access to users.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Dec 19, 2019

In historic step, U.S. House impeaches Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction

Donald Trump on Wednesday became the third U.S. president to be impeached as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America.
JAPAN
Nov 29, 2019

Former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, a political titan who spanned eras, dies at 101

The enduring statesman, who bolstered the military alliance with the U.S. and privatized the Japanese National Railways, led Japan onto the world stage in the 1980s.
JAPAN
Nov 13, 2019

Clandestine Japanese enthronement rite embodies tradition but is marked by controversy

The Daijosai, the most secretive and controversial part of the ceremonies, is a Shinto rite that begins on Thursday and involves the new emperor praying for peace and a rich harvest.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 26, 2019

Staff shortages are imperiling Japan's teaching industry

Earlier this month, four teachers at an elementary school in Kobe were accused of repeatedly bullying four other teachers, as well as mistreating students. The alleged bullies have been suspended and at least one of the victims has taken sick leave because of the persecution. As a result, the school...
Reader Mail
Oct 25, 2019

Finding meaning in sugidama

I read the article "After 13 years in Japan, my advice is to stay curious" in the Oct. 17 edition with great interest as a Japanese. Frankly, I did not know the meaning of sugidama, although I have seen them many times in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 19, 2019

Creating a barrier-free transportation environment in Japan

Not too long ago, domestic media organizations would rarely have anything negative to say about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but as the actual games draw nearer, there's been a greater willingness to find fault with preparations and even raise a bit of alarm. Everything from Tokyo's deadly summertime heat...
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 7, 2019

Let's discuss the consumption tax

An English lesson focuses on some new vocabulary surrounding taxes and discussion prompts on the new tax in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / CHANNEL SURF,MEDIA MIX
Oct 5, 2019

Debating contraception and a woman's reproductive rights

In May, the Sendai District Court dismissed a suit against the government filed by two women who underwent forced sterilization under the now-defunct Eugenic Protections Law because the statute of limitations had expired. However, the judges said that the law, which allowed the government to prevent...
EDITORIALS
Sep 28, 2019

Time to discuss same-sex marriage

Lawmakers should start listening to what same-sex couples have to say and thinking about what actions should be taken to address their needs.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Sep 23, 2019

Let's discuss Japanese names

The government changes name orders on its website. Which way would you like to see your name written?
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 22, 2019

Abe to appoint more liberal LDP members to key posts in bid to spur talks on constitutional reform

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to place less conservative members of his ruling party in important posts related to amending the Constitution.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 21, 2019

Confusion reigns over scope of the forthcoming tax hike

When the government raised the consumption tax from 5 percent to 8 percent in April 2014, Japan suffered a recession. One possible indicator if such a downturn will happen prior to next month's long-delayed hike to 10 percent is how much people are spending now in anticipation of the increase. On Sept....
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 14, 2019

Of cats and rabbits: UNESCO World Heritage candidate caught in a bind over tourism drive

UNESCO designates World Heritage sites in order to preserve cultural or natural assets deemed significant to humanity. The idea is to maintain these assets for future generations, but UNESCO itself doesn't pay for maintenance. It is up to the countries where the sites are located and UNESCO will remove...
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2019

With Cabinet reshuffle, Abe confirms intent to seek change to Constitution

With two years left to cement his legacy, Prime Minister Abe carries out a major Cabinet reshuffle that reaffirms his desire to pursue outstanding issues such as constitutional revision.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 9, 2019

Boris Johnson's dismay over whaling

Britain's prime minister shouldn't allow the U.K.-Japan relationship to be unduly defined by a still important but strategically irrelevant issue like whaling.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 31, 2019

Road rage coverage reveals gulf in awareness of traffic rules in Japan

For the past several weeks, media organizations in Japan have been obsessed with a road rage incident that happened in Ibaraki Prefecture on Aug. 10, when a 43-year-old man forcibly stopped another driver on the Joban Expressway and assaulted him as he sat in his car.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 31, 2019

Japan fears compromise on South Korea wartime labor could open Pandora's box of WWII issues

Tokyo worries the ripple effects of South Korea's top court ordering Japanese firms to pay redress could cascade into other issues, and reignite war compensation issues with other countries.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 22, 2019

Abe's ruling coalition victorious, but pro-revision forces suffer electoral setback in drive to amend Constitution

To many voters, the election was a chance to endorse or repudiate the Abe administration's performance since he returned to power in December 2012.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 2, 2019

Japanese officials play down Trump's security treaty criticisms, claim president's remarks not always 'official' U.S. position

Trump had strongly criticized the security treaty, calling the pact one-sided as Japan does not need to come to the U.S.'s aid if it is attacked.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji