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JAPAN
Dec 12, 2019

Rei (令), first character of Reiwa era name, picked as Japan's kanji of the year

The character "rei" (令) — as used in the era name of Reiwa, which has been translated to mean "beautiful harmony" — was chosen as kanji of the year, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announced Thursday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Dec 10, 2019

Let's discuss Michelin restaurants

A quick English lesson that asks readers about their culinary experiences.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 9, 2019

Trump says Kim risks losing 'everything' after North Korea carries out 'very important test'

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that he risks losing "everything" through hostility toward the United States, a day after Pyongyang said it had carried out a major new weapons test.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 8, 2019

North Korea carries out 'very important' test at long-range rocket site

Nuclear-armed North Korea said it had carried out "a very important test" at its Sohae long-range rocket site, state meda reported Sunday, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he doesn't think Pyongyang will engage in hostile acts and interfere with the upcoming presidential election.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 5, 2019

'Nasty,' 'two-faced,' 'brain dead': NATO pulls off summit despite barrage of insults from leaders

NATO leaders set aside public insults ranging from "delinquent" to "brain dead" and "two-faced" on Wednesday, declaring at a 70th anniversary summit they would stand together against a common threat from Russia and prepare for China's rise.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 5, 2019

Daniel Craig's license as James Bond expires with 'No Time to Die'

In the latest James Bond movie, "No Time to Die," Daniel Craig dons the famed tuxedo of the iconic British secret agent 007 for his fifth and final time.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Dec 4, 2019

As nuclear talks falter, next move for North Korea's Kim may be missile test over Japan

Kim Jong Un is back in the saddle — literally — and apparently ready to make a decision on what kind of "Christmas present" North Korea will offer the U.S. as a year-end deadline for progress in nuclear talks with Washington approaches.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 3, 2019

In face of China threat, Taiwan to invite U.S. experts to bolster defenses

Taiwan plans to invite U.S. military experts to visit to provide advice on bolstering the island's defenses, the defense ministry said on Monday, in the face of what Taipei views as a growing threat from its giant neighbor China.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 30, 2019

Step up to the plate: Breaking world records in Japan

Have you ever wondered what it must feel like to be the best in the world at something?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Nov 30, 2019

Esterre: Terroir, pedigree and the backing of a French superchef

Location is everything. But that's only one reason why Esterre, the beautiful new French restaurant unveiled last month in the ultraluxury Palace Hotel Tokyo, has so much going for it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 28, 2019

Revisiting Japan's nuclear arms debate

As long as the U.S. nuclear umbrella exists, the Japanese government will not have the political impetus to change its policy on nuclear weapons.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 25, 2019

Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

For foreign entrepreneurs, Japan has never been the easiest place to launch a startup for a number of reasons, including its conservative corporate culture, restrictive visa requirements and daunting language barrier.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Nov 21, 2019

Wizards' Rui Hachimura off to successful start to NBA career

Centuries before basketball was invented, William Shakespeare reflected on the subject of greatness. The Great Bard once summed it up this way: "Be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Nov 20, 2019

Building a home in Fukuoka one salsa step at a time

Latin Bar Salsa offers Fukuoka's international community a place to enjoy music and food, and proprietors Natsumi Vanessa Hernandez and Yusei Maeda are planning a new project for December.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2019

Mike Pence says Hong Kong violence makes China trade deal 'very hard'

Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that it would be difficult for the U.S. to sign a trade agreement with China if demonstrations in Hong Kong are met with violence.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 19, 2019

U.S., South Korea defense cost talks break down over Trump's $5 billion demand

Cost-sharing talks between the U.S. and South Korea broke down over U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for a fivefold funding increase, raising new questions about the stability of one of America's closest alliances.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 19, 2019

Let's discuss the imperial line of succession

An English lesson provides an opportunity to discuss the newly annointed Emperor Naruhito and his family.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Nov 18, 2019

Ford bets on an electric Mustang to charge its turnaround

The Mustang Mach E electric sport utility vehicle that Ford Motor Co. unveiled in Los Angeles on Sunday is more than another car for the storied automaker.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 18, 2019

Lebanon slips deeper into crisis after Mohammad Safadi's exit

Protesters waving Lebanese flags rallied in cities and towns in their thousands on Sunday to mark a month of protests against the ruling elite as politicians struggled to form a government and solve the biggest economic crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 16, 2019

Twitter details bans on political ads

Twitter on Friday said its political advertising ban will include references to political candidates or legislation, and it will not allow ads that advocate for a certain outcome on social and political causes.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 15, 2019

North Korea says U.S. is seeking December nuclear talks, warns of 'trick' to buy time

North Korea's top nuclear envoy said Thursday that the U.S. is seeking a return to denuclearization talks in December, but warned that he believed the move could be a "trick to earn time" ahead of a year-end deadline set by Pyongyang for progress in the talks.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 13, 2019

U.K.'s Johnson to declare Britain can 'end the groundhoggery of Brexit' if he wins election

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday declare that the U.K. can "end the groundhoggery of Brexit" if he wins next month's election, saying the rest of the world was wondering why so much time has been spent agonizing over whether to leave the European Union.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 12, 2019

Let's discuss the Olympics and the summer heat

Japan Times writer Ryusei Takahashi reports on efforts to try and protect athletes from the summer heat during the Tokyo Olympics next year.
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2019

Japan's rugby, disasters and social change generate buzzwords in 2019

The 2019 Rugby World Cup, natural disasters and cashless payment inspired a large portion of the nominations for the annual buzzword of the year awards.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 8, 2019

'Prepare to die': Prosecutors in Roger Stone trial note threatening texts over WikiLeaks release

Prosecutors on Thursday unveiled threatening text messages by U.S. President Donald Trump's adviser, Roger Stone, to radio host Randy Credico in which Stone urged Credico not to testify about their communications over Stone's efforts in 2016 to learn when WikiLeaks might release more damaging emails...
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Nov 6, 2019

Jury selection underway in trial of longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone

The criminal trial of President Donald Trump's long-time adviser, Roger Stone, began on Tuesday with the start of jury selection as he faces charges arising from former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that documented Russian interference to help Trump win the 2016 U.S. election.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 4, 2019

Let's discuss Uber unions

The Japanese staff of Uber Technologies Inc.'s food delivery service Uber Eats have formed a labor union to negotiate contract terms and seek improved working conditions.

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