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EDITORIALS
Oct 30, 2010

Mr. Cameron's new 'Big Society'

British Prime Minister David Cameron calls his vision for his country "the Big Society." Doubts about what that vision entails have been put to rest in his government's first budget. "The Big Society" consists of small government and a private-nongovernment organization partnership that fills in the...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 30, 2010

Dolphin hunters, activists set to hold parley in Taiji

A town whose annual dolphin hunt was bloodily depicted in the Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" is hosting the first-ever meeting between antihunting activists and its fishermen to try to find common ground between the two sides.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 29, 2010

Modern serving of traditional tea

If you've ever been fortunate enough to attend a tea ceremony, then you know that within the simplicity of movements, the quiet beauty of the room and the refined elegance of the utensils, there is a deep world where the moment becomes living art.
LIFE / Digital / JAPAN TIMES BLOGROLL
Oct 27, 2010

Surviving in Japan (without much Japanese)

Living in Japan without speaking the native language comes with its challenges. Ashley Thompson is tackling them one at a time, and blogging about her experiences at Surviving in Japan (without much Japanese) . Originally from Seattle, Wash., Thompson moved to Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Oct 26, 2010

Foreigners victims, perpetrators of sekuhara

When "Tracy," an American then in her late 20s, started her career in Japan as a JET instructor at a high school in Kagoshima nearly 20 years ago, nothing in her training could have prepared her for what she witnessed.
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2010

Underfunded NGOs raising domestic issues

NAGOYA — The United Nations COP10 conference is focusing on how to reduce biodiversity loss globally. In addition to formal negotiations, there are hundreds of seminars on everything from protecting marine life to accessing genetic resources on land occupied by indigenous people.
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2010

Envoys near COP10 deal but hurdles remain

NAGOYA — Halfway through the two-week COP10 biodiversity conference, a series of all-night negotiations have left many delegates exhausted but optimistic that a new protocol governing access to and compensation for genetic resources will be adopted before the event concludes Oct. 29.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Oct 23, 2010

Nagoya garden hoping for visitors from COP10

Shirotori Garden in Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, is providing guided tours in Japanese, English and Chinese, as well as tea ceremonies with translation services during the ongoing COP10 biodiversity conference being held in the city through Oct. 29.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Oct 23, 2010

Deplorable behavior tarnishes Rooney's reputation forever

LONDON — Thick, greedy, mercenary, unfaithful to his wife, photographed urinating and smoking outside a bar, has brought Manchester United into disrepute by his off-field actions, injured and hopelessly out of form; Wayne Rooney's resume for the second half of 2011 is surely one that even he must look...
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2010

Ainu have biodiversity bone to pick with host Japan

NAGOYA — Given its historical treatment of the Ainu and the widespread belief that the nation has but one race, can Japan as host of COP10 effectively deal with indigenous rights, which are at the heart of the most contentious issue of the conference?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 22, 2010

First-time director takes on Murakami

Many filmmakers say the difficulties of adapting a best-selling novel to the screen can be daunting. How about the challenge of adapting a story by a foreign best-selling author ("All God's Children Can Dance" by Haruki Murakami) from a country one had never visited (Japan) and to choose the project...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 22, 2010

Pairing tips from the sake experts

What kinds of foods pair well with sake? The obvious answer is Japanese, but, as sake continues to expand abroad, industry professionals and consumers alike are discovering a whole new world of pairing possibilities for the brew.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 22, 2010

'Son of Rambow'

"Son of Rambow" is one of those very British comedies, in the tradition of "The Full Monty" or "Calendar Girls," in which the not-so-promising group of amateurs rally and put on the big show. In this case, it's a pair of 10-year-old boys in rural Hertfordshire circa 1982 — misfit Will Proudfoot and...
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Oct 20, 2010

Ramen chain widens definition of 'new graduates'

A ramen chain causes a stir by dropping the tradition of hiring from only this year's pool of graduates.
JAPAN / Q&A
Oct 20, 2010

The advantages of travel via Haneda

The opening of Tokyo's Haneda airport to more international flights, starting Thursday, makes a lot of sense for travelers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / HANEDA COMEBACK
Oct 20, 2010

Ota Ward hopes hinge on airport

For many foreigners visiting Tokyo, places like Akihabara and Harajuku are the must-see spots.
Japan Times
Events / WHERE IT'S AT
Oct 19, 2010

Exchange gives students insights into other cultures

A total of 35 junior high school students from nine countries, including India, Malaysia and Hungary visited schools in Kanagawa and Niigata prefectures last month as part of an exchange program to promote cultural understanding.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 17, 2010

Tireless work ethic earned Nomo respect in majors

Third in a four-part series
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Oct 17, 2010

Homegrown swordplay hits the mark

With the sizzling summer heat replaced by cool breezes and mild temperatures recently, it's a great time to contemplate adding a new exercise to your weekly routine. If you are interested in a homegrown sport that is recreational and relieves stress, sports chanbara lets you kill two birds with one stone...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Oct 17, 2010

Okitsuru: An island in the middle of Yokohama

At a 2009 concert, Seijin Noborikawa, the grand-daddy of Okinawan folk music, told the audience about where he felt most at home when he visited mainland Japan. He described a neighborhood where passersby chatted in uchinaaguchi language, where shops served pig-trotter noodles and island songs seeped...
JAPAN / Media
Oct 17, 2010

Pusan festival delivers rich lineup of movies despite budget slump

Earlier this year, Kim Dong Ho announced that the 15th Pusan International Film Festival, which ran from Oct. 7 to 15, would be his final one as the event's director. Kim launched PIFF in 1986 and quickly made it the most important Asian film event of the annual calendar. As a farewell gesture, the traditional...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Oct 15, 2010

The history hidden behind the mask

Kiyotaka Imai, 67, is a prominent noh performer from the Kongo School, which was established in the Kansai region during the 14th century, and headquartered in Kyoto. The son of the late Ikusaburo Imai, a Kongo noh master of the highest ranking (shokubun) and a designated Intangible Cultural Asset, Imai...
JAPAN / U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN
Oct 14, 2010

Bases: Transplanted slices of Americana

Edward Papazian, an American, visits the U.S. Navy bases at Yokosuka and Atsugi, both in Kanagawa Prefecture, once every two or three months, escorted by a former navy friend.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2010

Winning recipe worth ¥5 million

"Okonomiyaki" pancakes with Indian curry, kebab meat, pickles, sauerkraut or other innovative ingredients may soon be on the menu at an Osaka-based restaurant chain.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Oct 13, 2010

Unfortunately named Galapagos tablet is proud to be different

A new tablet may be the last gasp of the Galapagos syndrome in Japan.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 11, 2010

Internet companies roll over, play dead in defense of liberty

PARIS — All over the world, Internet users entertain romantic delusions about cyberspace. To most of us Web surfers, the Internet provides a false sense of complete freedom, power and anonymity.

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan