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JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 11, 2020

The North Korean abduction issue in Japan: When will the waiting end?

The Japanese government officially claims 17 Japanese nationals were abducted, but adds that there could be more than 800 others.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 6, 2020

Understanding the reach of a Japanese political dynasty

Could Daigo's uncharacteristically serious tone in recent times indicate that he is finally thinking of a career in politics?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 25, 2020

Lockdowns haven’t proved they’re worth the havoc

The U.S. survived the 1968 pandemic without shutting down society, and there isn't much evidence that shutdowns are truly effective this time.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 19, 2020

Let's discuss reopening businesses

A Japan Times article outlines what the governors of certain prefectures are doing as a state of emergency draws to a close.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 12, 2020

Let's discuss the pandemic economy

Do you agree with the state of emergency extension? An article looks at the impact it could have on the economy in a COVID-19-themed English lesson.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 9, 2020

Breaking down the government's response to COVID-19

How prepared was Japan for the pandemic, and how well can it medically adapt to the emergency going forward?
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 28, 2020

Odd couple: LDP-Komeito political marriage faces testing times

Power struggles in Abe's party could further strain the two-decades-old coalition in the weeks to come
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 28, 2020

Let's discuss the state of emergency

Talk about Japan's state of emergency and what the government is doing to help in this Morning English lesson.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 14, 2020

Let's discuss memes

This Japan Times article looks at a recent meme spawned by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent mask policy, but what's a meme?
Reader Mail
Apr 8, 2020

In the pink — cherry blossom viewing will survive

First and foremost, I would like to say to Rika Asakura, who wrote the March 20 letter to the editor “School closures are a cruel blow to children” —“Congratulations on your graduation from high school!”
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 7, 2020

Let's discuss panic-buying at the supermarket

An English lesson looks at what you do to prepare for a weekend at home.
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.

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building