Search - 2012

 
 
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Nov 25, 2012

The convoluted crime spree of Amagasaki's 'piranha family'

By next week, the media will start compiling lists of the top news stories of 2012. The short list can be expected to include natural and manmade disasters, political bombshells, international disputes, indiscretions by celebrities in the worlds of sports and entertainment and, of course, sensational...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Nov 25, 2012

Canadian scientist uses math to green Japanese baseball

Richard Hoshino is a tall, slim mathematician, as tightly wound as a precision timepiece, and irrepressibly polite and cheerful. He also has a hard time taking "no" for an answer.
Japan Times
LIFE
Nov 25, 2012

The Fish Tree

Once upon a time there was a child who, being a child, simply didn't know what to make of himself. "Look," said his mother. "I brought the sun out for you. Go out and play."
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 24, 2012

Age of financial repression

Following his re-election, U.S. President Barack Obama almost immediately turned his attention to reining in America's rising national debt. In fact, almost all Western countries are implementing policies aimed at reducing — or at least arresting the growth of — the volume of public debt.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 23, 2012

Long wait for Putin's 'residential renaissance'

In Russia, as in many other countries, one main measure of living conditions is the number of "squares" — square meters — in a flat.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Nov 23, 2012

Williams says changing Saitama track record not easy

Tracy Williams is the Saitama Broncos' eighth head coach since the team entered the bj-league in 2005. Only ex-NBA forward David Benoit lasted more than one season during his time at the helm — 2006-08 — and the Broncos were 36-48 in those two campaigns.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 23, 2012

Musician Shugo Tokumaru starts to adjust to the spotlight

Among the many billboards looming over Shibuya Station crossing, one of the busiest and most famous intersections in Tokyo, is one for Tower Records that features musician Shugo Tokumaru. The picture looks slightly awkward. The artist sits on a spiral staircase and clutches a guitar, positioned just...
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Nov 23, 2012

Student jazz event shows importance of culture

Tokyo's Aoyama district will ratchet up its hip quotient this weekend when it hosts the Aoyama Jazz Initiative, a student-run celebration of jazz.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 22, 2012

Step into the Lynchian world of oddities

While mostly recognized as the director of such films as "Eraserhead," "Wild at Heart" and "Mullholland Drive," David Lynch has long turned his hand to other media. About 80 of his works, encompassing photography, painting, music and short films are being brought together for an exhibition at the Laforet...
BUSINESS
Nov 22, 2012

Exports at three-year low as recession nears

Japan is suffering its worst year for exports since the 2009 global contraction as Europe's debt crisis, China's economic slowdown and the Senkakus dispute with Beijing hurt manufacturers and deepen the risk of a recession.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 22, 2012

U.S. pivot to Asia needed in education, business

In the face of China's continued rise and increased assertiveness, strengthened U.S. engagement in Asia — as evidenced by U.S. President Barack Obama's official visit to Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar so soon after his re-election — is good news for Japan and the region, whether you refer to it as...
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 22, 2012

America's trouble with China

Xi Jinping, China's newly anointed president, made his first visit to the United States in May 1980. He was a 27-year-old junior officer accompanying Geng Biao, then a vice premier and China's leading military official. Geng had been my host the previous January, when I was the first U.S. defense secretary...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / TRAVEL INSIDER
Nov 21, 2012

See auroras with SAS; visit, help clean up Bali with Garuda; Cathay's free business upgrade

See auroras in Norway
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2012

Honda still sees 25% U.S. sales rise despite Sandy

Honda Motor Co.'s rebound in the United States will continue through the final months of 2012, helping the carmaker boost deliveries about 25 percent this year even after Superstorm Sandy reduced October gains, said U.S. sales chief John Mendel.
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2012

Abe call for unlimited BOJ easing rattles bond market

The bond market is growing more concerned that a new administration led by opposition leader Shintaro Abe calling for unlimited easing will stoke inflation and weaken the nation's finances.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Nov 18, 2012

Miyamoto dedicated 2,000th hit to late friend, mentor Higuchi

Three Japanese players joined the Meikyukai (Golden Players Club) during the 2012 season by reaching the career 2,000-hit mark. Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder Shinya Miyamoto, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters veteran Atsunori Inaba and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks retiring slugger Hiroki Kokubo are the newest...
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Nov 18, 2012

Roller derby dames get rough and tough on the rink

The whistle blows and Kristina "Ragin' Redhead" Owens Hawkins, a jammer for the Yokosuka Sushi Rollers roller derby team, darts quickly as she approaches an aggressive pack of blockers. She scans for a weak spot between two ladies in the back. She spots a gap. It's not too big, but it's large enough...
CULTURE / Books
Nov 18, 2012

'Cool Japan is over': a sociologist looks at Japan's art world

BEFORE AND AFTER SUPERFLAT: A Short History of Japanese Contemporary Art 1990-2011, by Adrian Favell. Blue Kingfisher, 2012, 246 pp., $24.95 (paper)
BUSINESS
Nov 17, 2012

Noda plans to enact fresh stimulus package before general election

Kyodo Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda instructed his ministers Friday to compile a fresh fiscal stimulus by month's end to kick-start the stagnant economy ahead of December's general election.
EDITORIALS
Nov 17, 2012

Nip the recession in the bud

The Japanese economy has entered a state of recession. The Cabinet Office on Nov. 12 announced that Japan's gross domestic product in real terms in the July-September period declined 0.9 percent from the April-June period for an annualized decline of 3.5 percent.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
Nov 17, 2012

Free kimono fitting by professionals in Toyonaka

Offering a slice of traditional Japanese culture, professional fitters will help non-Japanese dress in kimono Nov. 25 in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.