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JAPAN
Nov 25, 2020

Suga faces fire as controversy over Abe parties returns to spotlight

The prime minister was grilled by opposition lawmakers Wednesday over whether he made inaccurate claims at the Diet last year about a potential breach of laws on gift-giving.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 14, 2020

Japan's Shimachu backs Nitori's ¥214 billion takeover bid

The switch reflects a changing investment culture in Japan, where unsolicited, hostile takeover offers were once considered taboo.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Nov 11, 2020

Episode 72: Preserving the endangered Ainu language

The Ainu language has been declared critically endangered by UNESCO, with few people left alive today who speak it.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 31, 2020

Literary magazine Monkey serves up a full meal of delights

Monkey's inaugural volume features a who's who of contemporary Japanese literature, with a food theme to tie the contributions together.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 10, 2020

‘People From My Neighbourhood’: Bite-sized stories about the mysteries of small-town Japan

Hiromi Kawakami's collection of interlinking vignettes is a satisfying mix of neighborhood drama, folk mythology and magical realism.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 8, 2020

Episode 67: 'Convenience Store Woman' and the art of translation

Ginny Tapley Takemori discusses the process of translating Japanese literature into English — a somewhat forgotten art.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / The week in NPB
Sep 28, 2020

Virus-hit Tigers endure tough, eventful week in Central League

The difference between playing a mostly representative NPB season — as opposed to 50 or 60 games — or having it all fall apart was always as tenuous as some dinner plans.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / The week in NPB
Sep 7, 2020

Tigers still at square one with Shintaro Fujinami

Shintaro Fujinami gave up 11 runs — seven earned — in 4 2/3 innings on Saturday night. That's more than he’s ever allowed in his career and, per Daily Sports, more than any Hanshin pitcher has in a single outing.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 28, 2020

[Rebroadcast] What's the secret to Shinzo Abe's longevity?

This episode was originally recorded in December 2019, in a world that had not yet gone through the trials of the coronavirus, and when Japan was looking ahead to hosting the Olympics this summer.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 11, 2020

Japan kept activist investor in limbo over key Toshiba vote, sources say

The news illustrates how Japan's tighter rules on foreign ownership may also be used to keep activist shareholders in check.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 24, 2020

JP The Wavy: 'The culture of hip-hop unites us'

The prevalence of hip-hop on social media has thrust rapper JP The Wavy at the forefront of Asia's changing millennial culture.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jul 18, 2020

'Pure Invention': How Japan's pop culture became the 'lingua franca' of the internet

From toy jeeps and karaoke machines to the Game Boy and Tamagotchi, “Pure Invention” explores how Japan's cultural influence has spread across the globe.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jul 16, 2020

A Tokyo temple offers pandemic-hit Vietnamese workers a safe haven

Lured by higher wages but often burdened by debt to recruiters, Vietnamese are the fastest-growing group of foreign nationals in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 9, 2020

‘The Gun 2020’: Locked, loaded and nowhere to go

“The Gun 2020” revisits the story of Masaharu Take's 2018 film, “The Gun,” this time with a woman as the weapon-wielding protagonist. A feminist thriller it is not.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 8, 2020

Masks, disinfectant, social distancing: Japan faces disasters amid pandemic

Authorities have been warning local officials for months to include virus measures in disaster preparations.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB Preview
Jun 19, 2020

Tigers could be ready to roar in 2020

The Hanshin Tigers are hoping the additions they made can help them capture the CL pennant this season.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 6, 2020

‘Echo on the Bay’ review: Weird doesn’t quite do it

“Weird” and “quirky” are adjectives readily bandied about when reviewing Japanese literature. So what happens when something truly bizarre comes along?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 11, 2020

Japan moves to limit foreign investment in half of listed firms

The law came into force on Friday with full implementation set to begin on June 7 after a 30-day transition period.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 18, 2020

Hard-to-trace coronavirus cases put pressure on Japan’s hostess bars

In the fantasy world conjured up by Japan's hostess clubs, the coronavirus pandemic has delivered an unwelcome dose of reality.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2020

Japan's next restroom revolution? Phasing out squat toilets for Tokyo 2020

On southwestern Miyajima island, Hiroshima Prefecture, a short walk from one of the country's most famous ancient temple sites, there's a brand new attraction for tourists — a state-of-the art public toilet block nearly as big as a tennis court.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 31, 2020

Nintendo shares drop most since April after profit misses estimates

Shares in Nintendo Co. fell the most in nine months on Friday after the firm missed estimates for quarterly profit and forecast full-year earnings that were short of expectations, raising concern about demand for its Switch game console.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 18, 2020

Toshiba CEO Nobuaki Kurumatani to be given additional title of president in April

Toshiba Corp. Chief Executive Officer Nobuaki Kurumatani will add the title of president effective April, part of a revamp among top management aimed at speeding up decision-making.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / Outlook 2020
Jan 2, 2020

What will Abe do to cement his legacy?

If you look at Japan's 2020 political calendar now, it will look like it is going to be a relatively quiet one.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 1, 2020

New year, new opportunities: What to expect in the Year of the Rat

The smallest of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, the rat had only an outside chance in the Jade Emperor's race to determine the zodiac's order. Yet its intelligence, agility and quick-thinking enabled it to win the contest and become the first year in the system's 12-year cycle.

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