Search - 2015

 
 
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2014

Top domestic news of 2014

The Japan Times editors selected these domestic stories as the most important of 2014.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 25, 2014

Putin orders vodka price cap as Russia's economy goes on the rocks

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government on Wednesday to rein in rising vodka prices, as he battles to preserve his popularity amid an aggravating economic crisis.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 24, 2014

Abe vows to stay the course in third term as prime minister

Shinzo Abe vowed Wednesday to continue pursuing his economic, diplomatic and security policies after Diet members re-elected him to a third term as prime minister.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 24, 2014

Shinzo Abe begins new term as prime minister, launches Cabinet

The Cabinet remains unchanged except Gen Nakatani, a former first lieutenant in the Ground Self-Defense Force, replaces scandal-hit Akinori Eto as defense minister and minister in charge of security legislation.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 24, 2014

Omron, Cyberdyne announce robotics tie-up

Cyberdyne Inc. and Omron Corp. said Wednesday they will join forces in making and marketing robots, combining Cyberdyne's power limb technology with Omron's expertise in sensors and automation.
EDITORIALS
Dec 24, 2014

Challenges for Abe's new term

Newly reelected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shouldn't view his recent election victory as a vote of confidence in his economic policies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Dec 24, 2014

Japan's night schools offer hope of a second chance for many

Takashi Kinoshita, 73, lived most of his adulthood with a secret that until recently he wouldn't dare divulge even to his children: he was nearly illiterate.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 23, 2014

Lower sales affected acts worldwide

The Japanese music market has faced hard times as of late. Starting with an announcement from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry in March that the country's music sales dropped 16.7 percent in 2013, the past 12 months saw no particular upswing in physical or digital sales, therefore...
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 22, 2014

Cure sought in the blood of Ebola survivors

For months, Vanderbilt University researcher Dr. James Crowe has been desperately seeking access to the blood of U.S. Ebola survivors, hoping to extract the proteins that helped them overcome the deadly virus for use in new, potent drugs.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 22, 2014

Hit manga 'One Piece' to be adapted as kabuki

It's like putting old wine in new bottles.
JAPAN / Politics / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 21, 2014

Ishin-DPJ tieup, Kepco's greed to play key roles in April polls

In terms of domestic politics, the recent Lower House election was merely a prelude to next April's nationwide local elections.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 21, 2014

Mysterious 'Evangelion' short film released

A brief but revealing chapter in Hideaki Anno's ongoing cult anime series, "Neon Genesis Evangelion," was released Friday on the Animator Expo website.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 21, 2014

'The Interview': It's time for Sony Japan to say no

To put the lame, ill-conceived comedy film 'The Interview' on the frontline of a trumped-up battle in defense of Western values is a bit like betting the bank on Bozo the Clown and refusing to back down.
LIFE
Dec 20, 2014

Public protest in Japan: Power to the people?

"Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press and all other forms of expression are guaranteed." — Article 21, Constitution of Japan
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 19, 2014

Google planning built-in Android system for cars

Google is laying the groundwork for a version of Android that will be built directly into cars, sources said, allowing drivers to enjoy all the benefits of the Internet without even plugging in their smartphones.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 19, 2014

Wall St. gains sharply for second day; Oracle drives tech shares

U.S. stocks climbed more than 1 percent on Thursday, extending a rally from the previous session as tech shares gained with upbeat results from Oracle.
EDITORIALS
Dec 18, 2014

Russia's downward slide

The decision by Russia's Central Bank to practically double interest rates in the middle of the night is a bad sign. The question now is how President Vladimir Putin will double-down to get Russia through a perfect economic storm.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 18, 2014

Gadget maker wants everyday items to have online access

A sleek, ¥10,246 leather-clad padlock being marketed by Tokyo-based startup DentsuBlue might look like another extravagant toy for the wealthy — but this one can be used in many different ways and even link itself to the Internet.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 18, 2014

Wall St. climbs with energy shares; Fed rate decision looms

U.S. stocks climbed in early afternoon trading on Wednesday as energy sector shares surged more than 4 percent, though investors were preparing for a Federal Reserve statement that may set the stage for interest rate hikes in 2015.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 17, 2014

Jeter, Matsui coming together to aid Tohoku children

Retired New York Yankees greats Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui are teaming up once again, this time in support of children in the Tohoku region.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 17, 2014

Republicans tip hand on Obama lines of attack with nominees

Senate Republicans are previewing the lines of attack they'll pursue in 2015 against President Barack Obama's immigration, foreign policy and gun regulation policies during this week's debate on executive-branch nominees.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2014

What economics can learn from human beings

Legend has it that it's hard even to get bank staff to read the 'World Development Report' published annually by the World Bank. The report for 2015 should prove to be an exception, though, as it appears to help policymakers understand deeply ingrained habits or cultural settings.

Longform

Koichi Tagawa’s diary entry from Aug. 9, 1945, describes the day of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
The horrors of Nagasaki, in first person