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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 25, 2015

Correctly understanding Japan's postwar history

Japan's mission should be to provide humanitarian solutions to the problems confronting the victims of conflicts rather than engage in war in the name of collective self-defense.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 25, 2015

Let's discuss Osaka referendum in the news

As the city of Osaka prepares for Sunday's unprecedented referendum on the merger plan being championed by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, most media polls show those opposed to the plan holding anywhere from a slim to a wide lead, though the margin is too close to call.
COMMUNITY / Issues
May 24, 2015

Society helps sustain Japan's sordid sexual trade in schoolgirls

When you hear the expression "JK business," do you have any idea what kind of work this refers to? JK stands for joshi kōsei (high school girls). In Japan, JK is a very powerful brand — and high school girls are a highly valued commodity.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 18, 2015

Let's discuss inbound tourism in the news

Japan came ninth on the World Economic Forum's list of the most tourist-friendly countries for 2015, rising from 14th place in the previous 2013 rankings, the WEF said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 16, 2015

JCP gains ground, but not column inches

Years ago a Japanese acquaintance applied for a green card when her American husband decided to move back to the United States. Someone told her she should not say she once voted for the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) during her interview, otherwise U.S. Immigration would reject it. As far as I know,...
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 11, 2015

Let's discuss visa overstayers in the news

Visa overstayers facing deportation orders marched through Tokyo's Ginza district on Wednesday afternoon, pleading for permission to remain in a country that many have called home for decades.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 27, 2015

Let's discuss Taco Bell in the news

U.S. fast food chain Taco Bell Corp. made a much-hyped re-entry into the Japanese market on Tuesday, opening a store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward through Asrapport Dining Co., a Japanese operator of restaurant franchises.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Apr 26, 2015

'Zero Overtime Bill' is the thin end of the wedge for workers' rights

Although you may feel this amendment to the Labor Standards Law has nothing to do with you, the net will be cast wider and before you know it we will all be caught up in it.
EDITORIALS
Apr 22, 2015

Political pressure on broadcasters

TV broadcasters should not cower in the face of the LDP's pressure and interference in their activities.
EDITORIALS
Apr 15, 2015

Window-dressing in Thailand

The lifting of martial law in Thailand hasn't resulted in democracy as most would describe it.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2015

Popular news program hit by LDP demand for 'neutral' coverage of 'Abenomics'

The LDP pressured major broadcaster TV Asahi to run “fair and neutral” programs about “Abenomics” ahead of the Lower House election in 2014, it is learned.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 6, 2015

Little Estonia did its post-Soviet homework

There aren't many European leaders who take a harder line on Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression in Ukraine than Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. But Ilves' sympathy for Ukraine is tempered by his belief that it didn't do enough in advance to protect itself.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 28, 2015

China drafts law on counterterrorism operations abroad

China is close to approving a law that will create a legal framework for sending troops abroad on counterterrorism missions as Beijing seeks to address the vulnerability of the country's growing global commercial and diplomatic interests.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 22, 2015

Three reasons why Merkel acts so stubborn

There are three possible explanations why German Chancellor Angela Merkel seems so relentlessly uncompromising in the standoff between Greece and its euro creditors.
JAPAN / Society
Feb 21, 2015

Apologizing in Japan: Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Dressed in a light-gray suit with her hair pulled back tightly into a bun, McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) Chief Executive Officer Sarah Casanova walked stiffly into a news conference on Feb. 5 and addressed a throng of reporters.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 17, 2015

Japan needs a strong intellect that doesn't yield to terrorism

The murder of two Japanese citizens by Islamic State terrorists shouldn't be used as an excuse to eliminate the Constitution's restraints on the use of military force.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 16, 2015

Japanese deaths stir debate on hostage rescue capabilities

Following the gruesome executions of two Japanese by the Islamic State group, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems more eager than ever for legal authority to deploy Self-Defense Forces elements overseas, saying it is the government's duty to rescue its citizens.
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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Feb 9, 2015

Retiring boomers make their last stand on the real estate market

An increasing number of retirees are opting for high-rise living in their twilight years.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 25, 2015

It's OK to film people in public in Japan, if the conditions justify it

A reader asks, 'In Japan, is it OK to film other people in public?'
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 24, 2015

Smoke signals: Can Tokyo ever go smoke-free?

Japan has long held a reputation of being something of a paradise for smokers. Tobacco is, at least by Western standards, relatively cheap and people can still light up in many of the country's restaurants and bars. In fact, before the turn of the century smokers could pretty much puff away on a cigarette...
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jan 21, 2015

Abe targets Finance Ministry

Angered by its resistance to some of his policy measures, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears bent on curbing the power of the Finance Ministry.
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2015

Google sticks to EU-only application of 'right to be forgotten'

Google is only removing search results from European websites when individuals invoke their "right to be forgotten," contrary to regulators' guidelines, but will review that approach soon, the company's chief legal officer said on Monday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Jan 19, 2015

Writer's critical take on Jolie's 'Unbroken' raises readers' hackles

Some emails and online comments in response to Nicolas Gattig's recent Foreign Agenda column, 'Japan may shun 'Unbroken' because it's old hat.'
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 16, 2015

Press freedoms threatened

A former British ambassador to Japan hopes that Japanese as well as British cartoonists continue to expose the pomposity, hypocrisy and inadequacies of their politicians, warning that press freedom can never be taken for granted.
Reader Mail
Jan 7, 2015

An 'addiction' worth keeping

I wish to express concern regarding Tomohiro Osaki's Jan. 5 front-page article, "Patriotic few battle addiction to peace." Already the headline is problematic. Using the term "addiction" to describe Japan's pacifism implies that it is somehow a harmful thing that must be eradicated.
EDITORIALS
Dec 24, 2014

Standing up to threats

A Sapporo university's decision to retain an instructor in the face of rightist threats is a victory for freedom of expression and other fundamental democratic rights.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Dec 17, 2014

Readers' letters: What to do about 'haro'? And where to study, Japan or China?

A selection of emails received in response to recent Community stories.

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