Search - 2016

 
 
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 7, 2017

Can Naoki 'The Flea' Nakahigashi extend his career?

Happy New Year to all Baseball Bullet-In readers, and let the countdown begin. Just 24 days until the Japanese pro ball clubs begin spring training camps on the way to opening day of the regular season on March 31.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 7, 2017

Can the financial roadblock to marriage ever be dismantled?

On Dec. 20, an advisory panel assembled by the Prime Minister's Office drafted a final proposal for a bill that has a long-term goal of increasing the country's sagging birthrate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 6, 2017

As welfare costs climb, gerontology groups propose higher age for definition of 'elderly'

Japanese between 65 and 74 should no longer be classified as elderly because they are physically and mentally much younger than their counterparts were decades ago, says a proposal backed by two academic societies.
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 6, 2017

Japan aims to overcome language and cultural barriers before 2020 Games

Last of six parts
WORLD
Jan 6, 2017

Nuclear-armed subs move ahead at Pentagon before Obama goes

The Pentagon's top weapons buyer has approved advanced development for a fleet of 12 new nuclear-armed submarines, a potential $128 billion project that the U.S. Navy calls its top priority.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 6, 2017

Berlin truck attacker used at least 14 names; Tunisian associate seen posing as Libyan

The Tunisian man who killed 12 people last month by plowing a truck into a Berlin Christmas market had lived under at least 14 different names in Germany, a regional police chief said on Thursday, raising more questions about security lapses.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 6, 2017

Texas readies 'bathroom bill' critics say targets LGBT rights at cost of economy

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is expected on Thursday to introduce legislation to limit public restroom access for transgender people, despite warnings from a business group that the measure would hurt the Texas economy because it was discriminatory.
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2017

A new reality in Syria

A new era is dawning in the Middle East as U.S. influence wanes and Russia's role increases.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2017

U.S. to resume Osprey in-flight refueling drills Friday despite Okinawa concerns

Less than a month after the crash of an MV-22 Osprey, the Defense Ministry on Thursday gave a tacit nod to the planned resumption.
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 5, 2017

Advanced tech used by Paralympic athletes could throw perception of disabilities into question

On Dec. 10, some 40 elementary school children showed up for a running workshop at Shin-Toyosu Brillia Running Stadium, a brand new indoor track facility opened the day before in Tokyo's waterfront Toyosu district.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 4, 2017

The silencing of an anti-U.S. base protester in Okinawa

The extended detention of Hiroji Yamashiro is a shocking display of raw government power.
EDITORIALS
Jan 4, 2017

Tel Aviv's choice

Having an uncritical friend in the White House may not lead to the result expected by the Netanyahu government.
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES,GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 4, 2017

Japan's rising sports stars look to raise the bar at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Setting new records, Japan's Olympians managed to haul in a very respectable 38 medals at the 2012 London Games and 41 last year in Rio de Janeiro. Their efforts are certainly something for the nation's up-and-coming young athletes to duplicate or even surpass, as there are many potential stars out there who could become household names by the time Tokyo hosts the Olympics about 3u00bd years from now.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2017

Will Washington and Beijing's cool war heat up?

The big question for 2017 is whether the U.S. and China will let their troubled relationship unravel further.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2017

Brace for an interesting year

The period of economic and political upheaval that began in 2016 will continue this year.
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 3, 2017

Tokyo Olympics fueling expectations of an economic boom — and fear of a bubble

Third of six parts
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 3, 2017

How ties to an 'equestrian princess' landed Samsung at the center of the Park scandal in South Korea

Samsung Electronics' sponsorship of the equestrian daughter of a longtime friend of President Park Geun-hye has helped to land South Korea's top company in the center of the country's influence-peddling scandal.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 3, 2017

Trump spokesman says there is 'zero evidence' Russian hacking swayed election; poll finds little confidence in president-elect

No evidence has emerged to suggest that Russian hacking influenced the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, and it would be irresponsible to jump to conclusions before receiving a final intelligence report, Donald Trump's spokesman said on Monday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Jan 2, 2017

New year brings new hopes for some in Japanese baseball

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched his final game of 2016 in the maroon and yellow of the Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican winter league. Matsuzaka threw seven innings in that Dec. 29 start, giving up three hits and allowing his only run in the seventh inning.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 2, 2017

Protectionism will make America 1953 again

A revival of protectionism will hurt America more than it will help it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 2, 2017

Japanese is affecting the English lexicon in new ways

From 'emoji' to 'KonMari,' the English langauge is getting a pleasant dose of Japanese culture.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami