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EDITORIALS
Feb 13, 2015

Negative savings rates loom

The first-ever annual drop in Japan's household savings rate into negative territory might have been the result of people's rush to buy goods before the consumption tax hike last April. Yet, the long-term downtrend in the savings rate is forecast to continue.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 13, 2015

BOJ sees extra stimulus as counterproductive for now

Bank of Japan policymakers view further monetary easing to shore up inflation as a counterproductive step at present, amid concern it could trigger declines in the yen that damage confidence, sources said.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 12, 2015

Abe sidesteps expanded SDF role in Diet policy speech

Delivering a key policy speech at the Diet, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated his determination Thursday to push for economic reforms but avoided touching the most controversial issue expected at this year's ordinary Diet session: security bills to expand the scope of Self-Defense Forces missions....
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2015

Author Sono calls for racial segregation in op-ed piece

A prominent author and former government adviser calls for Japan to adopt a system to force immigrants to live separately from Japanese in zones based on race.
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2015

Syria-bound photographer fears passport confiscation sets dangerous precedent

A freelance photographer who was prevented from going to Syria when the Foreign Ministry confiscated his passport in the wake of the Islamic State hostage crisis this month expressed concern Thursday his case will set a precedent that will undermine freedom of the press in Japan.
EDITORIALS
Feb 12, 2015

Putting reporters on a leash

In an unprecedented move, the Foreign Ministry last week ordered a freelance photographer who planned to go to Syria to return his passport for his own good.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 11, 2015

Has Australia caught the revolving leader bug?

With three prime ministers in the past two years and maybe a fourth before long, has Australia caught the dreaded Japanese disease of revolving leaders?
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 11, 2015

Aid agencies see many more migrant deaths in Mediterranean amid curtailed patrols

Inadequate naval patrolling means ever more migrants from Africa and the Middle East will die trying to cross the Mediterranean, aid agencies warned on Tuesday, as Italy appealed for a "more vigorous" European response to tackle the crisis.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2015

Thousands sign petition for free speech amid climate of self-censorship

Journalists, academics, authors, filmmakers, musicians and members of the public put their names on an online petition supporting freedom of expression amid concern about self-censorship by media, lawmakers and society over the recent hostage crisis and the government's handling of it.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 10, 2015

Australia sub deal puts Abe in precarious position

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott survived a leadership challenge on Monday, but his last-minute pledge to allow an open tender on the construction of new submarines poses a challenge to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who must weigh the political risks of becoming more public about his ambition to tap...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2015

Ishiba tells rural communities to compete or lose funding

The Abe administration's czar for regional regeneration believes it is a case of sink or swim: Enterprising communities will maintain their grip on state funding and flourish, and stragglers will be cut loose.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 10, 2015

Robots and foreigners are the answer as Japan's population ages, says investor Sawakami

As Japan's population ages and slowly declines, bring in the robots and foreigners.
BUSINESS
Feb 9, 2015

JA-Zenchu accepts drastic farm cooperative reforms

The main agricultural lobby approves a dramatic reform plan that will deprive it of the legal right to audit group cooperatives, thereby weakening its influence over how they operate.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 9, 2015

Ukrainians would be wise to heed Georgia's war lessons

Many people in Kiev worry that if Ukraine makes a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he will meddle in domestic affairs to an extent that will make meaningful reforms impossible. But Putin hasn't done that in Georgia since the 2008 war.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Feb 9, 2015

Injuries to Okinawa anti-base protesters 'laughable,' says U.S. military spokesman

In an email, a top marine official likens protesters hurt in demonstrations to diving soccer players.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Feb 8, 2015

Atsugiri Jason: 'Don't worry about what other people think of you'

Comedian Jason Danielson on bad puns, hidden cameras and thick-sliced bacon
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 5, 2015

Hostage crisis over, Abe looks to 2016 to launch constitutional amendment drive

With the Islamic State hostage crisis over, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says his long-sought goal of revising the Constitution should be chased in summer 2016.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 5, 2015

Abe boosts Kuroda reflation effort with BOJ board nomination

The Abe administration has nominated a proponent of reflationary monetary policy for the central bank's board, buttressing Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's effort to end a two-decade slump in the world's third-biggest economy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 4, 2015

What does Vladimir Putin really want in Ukraine?

Sowing confusion is how Russian President Vladimir Putin, increasingly isolated from Western conversations, keeps the world on its toes about the conflict in Ukraine.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Feb 4, 2015

In shrinking villages, abandoned graves are a sign of generational flight

In the nation's declining provinces, it is not only the living who are neglected.
BUSINESS
Feb 4, 2015

Israel ramps up Asia trade ties as government urges shift from EU amid anti-Semitism

Israeli companies are increasingly turning to Asia to capture a boom in demand for their technology, as the government urges them to diversify export markets in response to Europe's rising anti-Semitism and potential trade sanctions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 2, 2015

Abe wants to enable SDF to rescue citizens overseas

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to discuss granting the Self-Defense Forces a mandate to evacuate Japanese nationals from crises overseas.
JAPAN
Feb 1, 2015

Goto beheaded by Islamic State militants

Despite an unusual lull that had raised hopes hostage Kenji Goto might be freed, many in Japan were shocked Sunday to learn the Islamic State group had apparently executed him.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 1, 2015

Crisis awakens Japanese to shortcomings, realities

The hostage crisis that ended so tragically has taught Japan about the reality of life in a strife-filled part of the world.

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan