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Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Apr 19, 2013

ZZZ's continue a great year

It's a new year that other indie bands could only dream of. Steady gigs, new releases and collaborations with established artists, they've all been on ZZZ's schedule for the past few months.
BUSINESS
Apr 18, 2013

METI chief urges Gazprom to keep LNG plant's spigot open, reasonable

Trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Wednesday called on the president of Russia-owned Gazprom to provide Japan with liquefied natural gas from its plant to be built near Vladivostok at a “reasonable price” and in a “timely manner” after it starts up.
EDITORIALS
Apr 18, 2013

Ms. Suu Kyi visits Japan

As a result of Aung San Suu Kyi's first visit to Japan in nearly 27 years, the government should work out a basic principle for providing assistance to Myanmar.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 18, 2013

Playwright imprint focuses on newer jazz acts

At a time when stories about declining music sales are frequent and major labels aren't investing in new talent, hearing about an indie label like Playwright is music to the ears.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 18, 2013

Extruders have a rock epiphany

"Before the gig, we were quite intimidated: a lowly rock band performing in front of a god. After, we found we could do it, and that was the turning point for us."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 17, 2013

MUFG plans to boost U.S. energy industry loans: CEO

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. plans to increase loans to energy and utility industries in the U.S. to capitalize on a recovery there, President Nobuyuki Hirano said.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Apr 17, 2013

Uncomfortable truth laid bare in Boston: not every plot will be spotted

After nearly a dozen years of foiled plots, the United States on Monday suffered the first large-scale bombing since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, opened an era of heightened security affecting nearly every aspect of American life.
EDITORIALS
Apr 17, 2013

Japan's depopulation time bomb

The government must take steps to ameliorate the impact of Japan's shrinking population, which is forecast to decrease by 20 million by 2040.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 17, 2013

If Thatcher saved Britain, why is it in such a mess?

Britain has been weakened, rather than strengthened, by the revolution that Margaret Thatcher wreaked.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 17, 2013

Obama's timid budget evades basic choices

There is something profoundly timid about U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed budget for 2014. He's evading basic choices while claiming he's bold and brave.
LIFE / Digital / ON: TECH
Apr 16, 2013

Can we talk?

LG's Optimus G Pro gets a Japan release
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 16, 2013

World Bank pushes Asia stimulus end

Asia's emerging economies should consider reining in monetary stimulus to curb the risks of asset bubbles and inflation as policy easing in developed nations, including Japan, spur capital inflows, the World Bank said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Apr 16, 2013

Startups find there's financing in numbers

In a country where a stubbornly stagnant economy has turned the adventurous away from high-risk investment, fundraising has become one of the highest hurdles a startup can overcome.
EDITORIALS
Apr 16, 2013

Road map for base reversions

As long as Okinawans are stuck with having to host Futenma functions at Henoko, their resentment of future plans for U.S. military facilities will deepen.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 14, 2013

Gun rights lobby pushes weaker bill

As the U.S. Senate prepares to begin debate this week on the biggest gun-control bill in nearly two decades, the gun rights lobby and its Senate allies are working on a series of amendments that have the potential to do the opposite — loosening many of the restrictions that exist in the current law....
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Apr 14, 2013

Myanmar's unrest: Colonial legacy undermines nascent democracy

Alarming outbreaks of sectarian violence pitting Buddhists against Muslims in Myanmar cast an ominous cloud over that nation's democratic transition from military rule.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 14, 2013

Garuda plans Osaka-Jakarta flights amid soaring interest in Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia will begin offering flights between Osaka and Jakarta in October as part of its international expansion strategy, the chief of the nation's flagship carrier said.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 14, 2013

Net TV expresses views the mainstream ignores

Last week's column mentioned "Pack-in News," a current-affairs talk show that used to stream on the Internet TV channel Kinkin.tv, which is the personal project of veteran actor-emcee Kinya Aikawa. It was a continuation of "Pack-in Journal," a show hosted by Aikawa on the satellite station Asahi Newstar...
EDITORIALS
Apr 14, 2013

A positive step in Senkaku dispute

Japan and Taiwan on Wednesday signed an agreement on fishing rights in the sea near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, claimed by both China and Taiwan. The agreement sets aside the sovereignty issue over the Senkakus and allows Taiwanese trawlers to operate in part of Japan's exclusive...
CULTURE / Books
Apr 14, 2013

Digging for insights on foreigners living in Japan from some of the most prominent figures

Donald Richie, prolific author of more than 40 books and longtime contributor to The Japan Times, died in February at age 88. April 17 was his birthday, so this review pays tribute by sharing some of the insights he passed on during an interview, one of 12 in this book, conducted four years ago.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Apr 13, 2013

Aichi tries to hang on to female doctors

Starting from April, female doctors with children at Fujita Health University Hospital in Toyoake, Aichi Prefecture, who need shorter working hours to care for their young will have the option of working 20 or 30 hours a week, instead of the regular 40 hours.
BUSINESS
Apr 13, 2013

Teachers fund to invest abroad as J-REITs become expensive

The Teachers' Mutual Aid Cooperative Society will invest as much as ¥6 billion in real estate investment trusts mainly abroad this fiscal year after REITs at home became expensive.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Apr 13, 2013

Swallows' Balentien glad to return to diamond after WBC injury delayed season debut

Wladimir Balentien's season began with a lot of lonely days in Toda, Saitama Prefecture, a city of a little more than 126,000 (according to a 2012 population estimate) just across the Arakawa River, while his Tokyo Yakult Swallows teammates were busy taking on three of their Central League rivals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 13, 2013

Tokyo Disneyland, now 30, still casts spell

Tokyo Disney Resort, comprising Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, celebrates its 30th anniversary Monday with no signs that its magic spell has worn off, as figures show the wildly popular venue lured a record 27.5 million visitors in fiscal 2012.

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