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Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 16, 2019

Fed trades 'remarkably positive' for 'no precedents' after volatile year and as slump looms

A year ago, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell held a "remarkably positive outlook" for an economy enjoying a "historically rare" combination of good news including low unemployment, steady inflation and strong growth that were all expected to continue.
TENNIS
Sep 15, 2019

Naomi Osaka among players hoping for redemption at Pan Pacific Open

Redemption is the theme as the 2019 edition of the Pan Pacific Open gets underway Monday with a weaker field than in year's past, with only two of the world's top 10 players competing. Still, 12 of the world's top 30 are due to take the court at Osaka's Utsubo Tennis Center, where world No. 4 Naomi Osaka...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Sep 15, 2019

Management, connections aided by long-lived passion

When thinking of sailing, the first things that come to mind for many people are likely freedom, open space and nature.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 15, 2019

The hot topic of Western saunas in Japan

Onsen hot spring baths may reign in Japan, but the Western sauna could be the next health and wellness trend.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / CHILD'S PLAY
Sep 15, 2019

Fantastic beasts and where to learn about them

'Regnum Imaginarium: Realm of the Marvelous and Uncanny' at Osaka's National Museum of Ethnology delves into the worlds of mermaids, unicorns, werewolves and giants. What more could a kid enjoy?
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / ON: TECH
Sep 15, 2019

Little things to make life easier

From tiny printers to electric straws, what will gadget-makers think of next?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 15, 2019

How Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa went from defiant to fired in 24 hours

Hiroto Saikawa's tone bordered on defiant on Sept. 8 when discussing his future as chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co. He accepted responsibility for the Carlos Ghosn scandals and said he'd resign after a successor was found, but he wasn't taking the fall for a burgeoning controversy over his...
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Kateigaho International Japan Edition
Sep 14, 2019

Wonders of washi: Sekishu Washi Kubota produces strong, pliant paper from local mulberry plants

The Sekishu-washi produced by Akira Kubota, prized for its delicate watermark patterns and subtle colors, is used to restore precious cultural properties.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 13, 2019

Rassie Erasmus backs Springboks' early arrival in Japan as a success

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus feels vindicated in his side's early arrival in Japan for the Rugby World Cup, even though it will mean its stay in the country will stretch to nine weeks if it makes the Nov. 2 final.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 13, 2019

Economist expects limited impact from Japan's October tax hike

The impact of the Oct. 1 consumption tax hike from the current 8 percent to 10 percent will be limited as mitigating measures are already in place, according to the chief economist at the Daiwa Institute of Research.
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2019

Website of Japan's new 78-year-old IT minister offline for months, raising questions over his tech acumen

The official website of new Japanese information technology minister Naokazu Takemoto has been unviewable for the past few months, raising concerns among social media users over his ability to handle the portfolio, it was learned Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 12, 2019

South Korea and Japan need to ease up on their spat, ex-defense chief Itsunori Onodera says

Japan and South Korea need time to cool down from a feud hurting security ties, former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said of the dispute that the Trump administration warns could damage its regional alliance network.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 11, 2019

From paternity leave to the environment, Koizumi's words and actions now under more intense spotlight

Newly appointed Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the third-youngest Cabinet minister in the postwar era, has been tapped by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his youth and popularity with the media and the public.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 11, 2019

To create an immigrant-friendly Japan, start with education reform

The conformity that is encouraged in Japanese public schools shapes a social consciousness that is suspicious of outsiders.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Sep 11, 2019

How much Japanese-language skill do you need to work in Japan?

Back in the bubble period, I was able to get a job at a Japanese bank in Tokyo with language skills that were intermediate at best. With a lot of intensive effort (and classes kindly paid for by my employer) I was able to improve quickly and was eventually writing reports in Japanese.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Sep 11, 2019

Unpicking the mysteries of a Japanese convenience store at night

"Ping-pong, ping-pong! Ping-pong, ping-pong!"
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Sep 11, 2019

Mixed results from VAR's Levain Cup debut

The video assistant referee (VAR) has made its J. League debut, but there's still much to be done before the system is ready for the big time.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 10, 2019

The roles of women in influential positions

Sociologist Chizuko Ueno continues to be a driving force for gender equality in Japan.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 10, 2019

Nissan finally breaks with the Ghosn era

CEO's departure allows auto giant to focus on making and selling cars.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 10, 2019

Britain: Keeping calm amid chaos

Regardless of which side of the political equation of Brexit one stands on, most people in the U.K. have an abiding sense that the time for resolution has arrived.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2019

Abe's plan for U.S. Aegis Ashore missile shield rattles Akita residents

The sleepy neighborhood of Araya in the city of Akita seemed like the perfect place for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to put a U.S. anti-missile system. The area has reliably backed the ruling party and has firsthand experience of a North Korean rocket flying overhead.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 10, 2019

Nissan ousts CEO Hiroto Saikawa over pay scandal as carmaker's turmoil deepens

Less than a year since the dramatic downfall of Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Co. is losing another leader.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2019

LDP's Shinjiro Koizumi says he would use dual surname system

Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shinjiro Koizumi, who made headlines recently by announcing his marriage with television anchor Christel Takigawa, stressed on Monday his eagerness to work for the introduction in the country of a dual surname system for married couples.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Sep 9, 2019

No mountain high enough: Hideyuki Sugita overcomes a massive barrier to climb Mount Fuji

Hideyuki Sugita was exhausted as he scaled the rocky mountain pass in total darkness early one Friday late last month.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Sep 9, 2019

Race for Sawamura Award going down to wire

With the NPB season nearly over — no team has more than 16 games left — it's almost time for the group of retired pitchers who vote on the Sawamura Award to sit down and have a chat.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 9, 2019

Would you mind filling out this form in Japanese?

Filling in forms in Japan can be a minefield, a task sent to test your fluency and patience. Knowing what to expect at your local clinic, bank and post office can prove the difference between confusion and comprehension.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Sep 9, 2019

As forests burn, Bolivian leader Evo Morales' bet on Big Farming comes under fire

In the tropical Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a wealthy farming hub on the edge on the Amazon rainforest, President Evo Morales gathered with ranchers late last month to celebrate a maiden shipment of beef to China.

Longform

After the asset-price bubble crash of the early 1990s, employment at a Japanese company was no longer necessarily for life. As a result, a new generation is less willing to endure a toxic work culture —life’s too short, after all.
How Japan's youth are slowly changing the country's work ethic