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Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 11, 2016

Democrat and retired general, a possible Trump running mate, backs abortion rights

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, under consideration by Republican Donald Trump as a possible vice presidential choice, said on Sunday he favors a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 11, 2016

LDP-led ruling bloc, allies clear two-thirds majority hurdle in Upper House poll

The Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition scored a sweeping victory in the Upper House election Sunday that gave the Diet's pro-revision forces the two-thirds majority needed to initiate Japan's first constitutional referendum, final results showed Monday morning.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2016

Election strengthens LDP as opposition flounders; Abe says talks to begin on constitutional revision

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was all smiles Sunday night after being asked to put flower symbols next to the names of his party’s numerous successful candidates, in a post-election appearance at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

In first election without Hashimoto, Osaka Ishin wins at least six seats in Kansai stronghold

Osaka Ishin no Kai won two of the Osaka district's four seats and another in neighboring Hyogo Prefecture, as well as at least two proportional seats, inching Prime Minister Shinzo Abe closer to the two-thirds majority needed for a referendum on constitutional revision.
MORE SPORTS
Jul 10, 2016

IAAF rejects 67 Russian applications to compete internationally

The IAAF's Doping Review Board has turned down applications from 67 Russian athletes to compete internationally as individuals following a blanket ban on the country's track and field athletes for systematic doping.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Okinawan minister Shimajiri ousted from Upper House by former Ginowan mayor

In a setback for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, state minister for Okinawa affairs Aiko Shimajiri lost her Upper House seat to a challenger backed by the prefectural governor and a coalition of activists opposed to U.S. bases there.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

As LDP set for election victory, policy chief Inada calls for changing pacifist Constitution

The Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief on Sunday called for changing the nation's pacifist Constitution after the ruling coalition won a landslide victory in the Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Voters grapple with economic, security, credibility concerns to make their choice

Voters cited concerns about the economy, security and the Constitution as they participated in the Upper House election on Sunday, with many saying they chose the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and the continuity it represents.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016

Bo Ningen: 'We're Japanese, but a London band'

Though seasoned music festival veterans overseas, the four members of British rock band Bo Ningen had never been to a Japanese event until Fuji Rock in 2013.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016

Fuji Rock's green thumb is here for good

Anyone who makes the trek out to the mountains of Naeba for the annual Fuji Rock Festival will tell you two things, apart from that they had a great time: It rains, and it's clean for an event of such enormous scale. But it's not completely sterile.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 10, 2016

Heed the lessons of Britain's vote to leave EU

Contrary to glib assumptions, globalization of capital, trade and migration flows are not 'good for everyone.'
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jul 10, 2016

Latest U.S. country rankings on human trafficking raise eyebrows in some Asian nations

When the U.S. government last week raised the Philippines to its highest ranking in a report that assesses how much countries are battling human trafficking, putting it alongside the likes of Britain, Switzerland and Australia, the decision was questioned by aid workers in the Asian nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Numbers to keep an eye on in Upper House election

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, along with junior coalition partner Komeito, aim to win a combined majority of the 121 seats up for grabs in an Upper House election Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 10, 2016

Voting kicks off in Japan as Abe seeks Upper House supermajority

Voting began Sunday in an Upper House election that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has billed as a chance to pass judgment on his economic policies. Opposition parties, however, are focused on preventing a resounding victory for the prime minister that would allow him to take the next step toward revising...
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jul 9, 2016

Ex-Fukushima stars Jones, Nash make Las Vegas Summer League debuts

Two former Fukushima Firebonds standouts made their 2016 NBA Las Vegas Summer League debuts on Friday night.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jul 9, 2016

Japan women rout Senegal, complete three-game series sweep in Rio tuneup

The Olympic-bound Japan women's national basketball team wrapped up a three-game exhibition series against Senegal with an overwhelming 84-38 victory at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2 on Saturday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 9, 2016

Complex funding rules keep electioneering in Japan risky and expensive

Considering how complicated electoral funding regulations are, it's no surprise that stories of candidates violating campaign rules are so common.

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