Search - 2014

 
 
EDITORIALS
Jan 25, 2015

NHK must maintain independence

NHK has announced a three-year budget plan that includes strengthening its overseas services. But has Japan's national broadcaster figured out yet whether it exists as a news organziation or as a propaganda arm of the government?
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 25, 2015

ASEAN captain Malaysia prepares to set sail into maritime disputes, 'democratic recession'

As Malaysia takes over the ASEAN chairmanship for 2015, it faces the challenges of intractable territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the 'democratic recession' in the region.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Jan 25, 2015

Kansai spearheads campaign against hate speech

On Feb. 24, 2013, Osaka's Tsuruhashi district, home to one of Japan's largest concentrations of ethnic Koreans and in recent years a major tourist destination, was the scene of a shocking incident.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 24, 2015

Jonathan Clements: Diving alongside a slowly sinking nation

When the pop singer Justin Bieber was in Japan in the spring of 2014 he asked his driver to make an impromptu stop at a shrine in Tokyo. Naturally, Bieber posted some photos of his shrine visit online, but instead of getting likes, his photos prompted outrage. Bieber, like Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jan 24, 2015

Hiroshi Sugimoto: On the Beach

Hiroshi Sugimoto's photography is mesmerizing partly because of its other-worldly perfection — his black-and-white prints are flawless. On its own, however, this isn't enough to justify the significance of his work in the contemporary art scene. His deadpan images of animal dioramas, waxwork figures...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2015

U.S. wages lagging and no one knows why

The U.S. unemployment rate has dropped from a peak of 10 percent in October 2009 to 5.6 percent at the end of 2014. Yet, hourly wage gains haven't accelerated. Economists are baffled.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2015

Honda to use air bags from Takata competitor in new Accord

Honda Motor Co. has chosen a competitor of embattled Takata Corp. to supply air bags for the next North American version of its Accord sedan, the automaker's best-selling vehicle, two people with knowledge of the decision said.
WORLD
Jan 24, 2015

Some counterterrorism efforts in Yemen frozen

The United States has halted some counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida militants in Yemen following a takeover of the country by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, U.S. officials said Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 23, 2015

Former catcher Furuta voted into Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame

When bespectacled catcher Atsuya Furuta was ready to set out on a professional baseball career, he was told by many that pro ballplayers don't wear glasses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 23, 2015

Activist says Uganda documentary may aid LGBT cause

Japan has developed a more favorable view of sexual minorities in recent years, but activist Mameta Endo wants to raise awareness of the issue further by encouraging people to take in a documentary that captures the hatred, harassment, and risk of prison time such people face in Uganda.
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2015

DJ Obake brings a kaleidoscopic blend of elements to 'H'

DJ Obake "H" (Zoom Lens)
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2015

Putin said to shrink inner circle as Ukraine hawks trump tycoons

Russian President Vladimir Putin isn't just angering leaders from Berlin to Washington. He's irking some of his richest friends, too, by snubbing their pleas to end the conflict in Ukraine and ostracizing all but a handful of hard-liners.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 23, 2015

For third time, South Korea's Park names a new prime minister

South Korean President Park Geun-hye nominated for prime minister on Friday a political veteran and the current parliamentary floor leader of her ruling Saenuri Party, the presidential Blue House said.
EDITORIALS
Jan 22, 2015

Testing elderly drivers for dementia

The National Police Agency will propose a revision to the traffic law to have drivers at least 75 years old who are suspected of suffering from senile dementia submit a medical certificate to the police indicating whether they should be allowed to keep driving.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 22, 2015

Improved 'competitiveness' key to wage hikes, labor chief says

Restoring industrial competitiveness is the key to fueling wage gains that the Abe government and the central bank are counting on to ensure inflation takes hold, according to labor minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 22, 2015

In Obama snub, Boehner asks Netanyahu to address Congress mulling Iran bill

House Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress next month as lawmakers weigh legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran.
EDITORIALS
Jan 21, 2015

Tough times for law schools

The slashing of overnment subsidies to underperforming law schools could lead to a dearth of legal education opportunities outside large metropolitan areas.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Jan 21, 2015

Forty years after Zainichi labor case victory, is Japan turning back the clock?

Efforts against nationality-based discrimination in Japan have made zero progress in the four decades since a landmark court case against Hitachi.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2015

Toyota crowned world's biggest automaker for third year

Toyota Motor Corp. warded off Volkswagen AG to remain the world's top-selling automaker for a third consecutive year, driven by record U.S. deliveries of its SUVs, according to the 2014 tally announced by the company Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2015

Honda warns against 'stupid' loans driving U.S. sales gains

A top U.S. executive at Honda Motor Co. said competitors are doing "stupid things" to boost auto sales, including making seven-year-long car loans that harm buyers.
WORLD
Jan 21, 2015

Briton who faked own death in Syria admits terrorism offenses

A Briton who fought with an Islamist group in Syria and then faked his own death in the hope of being able to return home undetected has admitted to terrorism offenses in a London court.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Transitioning from spectator to participant at Davos meeting

The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is underway in Davos-Klosters in Switzerland from Jan. 21. The theme of this year's meeting is "The New Global Context" for decision making.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Japanese architects making mark on Swiss design landscape

As part of the events commemorating 150 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan, an exhibition titled "JP-CH 2014: Building in Context" was held in Tokyo last October featuring five recent projects in Switzerland by four eminent Japanese architects.

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