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Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jun 6, 2016

As his stimulus efforts struggle, Abe pushes 'equal pay' to lift Japan's economy

When Fumiko Kasai returned to work a decade ago she found the job market was very different to the one she had left in the 1980s to raise her four children.
EDITORIALS
Jun 5, 2016

Helping drug addicts kick the habit

The government can more effectively reduce drug-related crime by focusing on the rehabilitation of drug offenders rather than just punishing them.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE
Jun 5, 2016

West-inspired anime chief propels Polygon Pictures to success

Polygon Pictures, one of the oldest digital animation studios worldwide, has been turning its lights off at 10 p.m. sharp since 2011. Employees can turn them back on again but they automatically go dark every hour.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 5, 2016

Rusty ships and unused aircraft carriers: the other side of Asia's militaries

As China spends billions to upgrade and reorganize the People's Liberation Army, the deficiencies in competing Asia-Pacific militaries are coming into focus. Even some of China's much heralded military advances are drawing attention for their shortcomings. Here is a snapshot of some of Asia's less illustrious...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 4, 2016

Beer essentials: The craft beer boom in Japan shows no sign of running dry

Tomoko Sonoda was a college student during the "Dry Wars," the years immediately following the 1987 release of the game-changing light lager Asahi Super Dry. She and her classmates held tasting parties for the spate of new brews that were released by the three other major breweries in an attempt to compete....
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Jun 4, 2016

Forest horror led to an honor from 'foes'

As I write this in my home outside Kurohime, it's astonishing to realize it has been 36 years since I came to live in the hills of northern Nagano Prefecture.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 4, 2016

Easing pressure on farmland, 'bionic leaf' uses sunlight to make clean fuel

A new clean technology to turn sunlight into liquid fuel could drastically shrink the need for large plantations to grow crops for biofuels and also combat climate change, Harvard University researchers said Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 4, 2016

FIFA reveals Blatter, allies awarded selves $80 million

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and two other leading officials were involved in a "coordinated attempt" to enrich themselves through annual salary increases and World Cup bonuses, world soccer's governing body said on Friday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jun 3, 2016

Le Bar a Vin 52: The secret to Ebisu's new wine and wagyu HQ

When the new Atre mall opened in April outside Ebisu Station, most people's eyes were fixed on the ground floor and the one-hour lines outside burger phenomenon Shake Shack's eagerly awaited second Tokyo branch. But those in the know have been directing their feet to destinations higher up — specifically...
COMMENTARY / World / THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
Jun 3, 2016

Don't exterminate the zebra mussels or ruffes

'Invasive' species aren't necessarily a bad thing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 3, 2016

Must U.S. satisfy NATO's paranoid members?

The only way to get Europeans to make a more meaningful military contribution is to turn responsibility for their defense over to them. Washington should stop taking care of NATO.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 2, 2016

Composers Joe Hisaishi and Philip Glass team up for a special performance

The term "contemporary classical music" may sound straightforward, but it isn't. That is why one of Japan's most influential composers has made it his mission to guide people through what is essentially a sonic labyrinth.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 2, 2016

Good morning, North Korea! Defector preaches dangers of cult worship over the radio

For an hour each day, Kim Chung-seong, a defector from North Korea and a Christian missionary, takes to the microphone in a small Seoul studio.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 1, 2016

Renewing Taiwan's 'pivot' to Southeast Asia

The success of Taiwan's effort to boost its ties with ASEAN nations will depend on the condition of cross-strait relations.
JAPAN
May 30, 2016

Science Council of Japan considers overturning long-held opposition to military research

The nation's largest and most powerful group of scientists has started discussing lifting its decades-old ban on defense-related research as the government seeks more collaboration with civilians in the development of weapons technology.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 30, 2016

Trump's Japan-bashing and the security alliance

Even if Donald Trump ultimately loses the presidential race, his campaign may nevertheless prompt a reconsideration of both the U.S. policy of a rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and its TPP trade strategy.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
May 30, 2016

GPIF: an abode of demons

As was the case with its predecessor body, the Government Pension Investment Fund is linked closely to the interests of politicians and bureaucrats.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 30, 2016

Syrian opposition negotiator Alloush quits after U.N.-backed peace talks' failure

The chief peace negotiator of Syria's mainstream opposition said Sunday he is resigning over the failure of the U.N.- backed Geneva peace talks to bring a political settlement and to ease the plight of Syrians living in besieged rebel-held areas.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
May 29, 2016

Maeda's late punt return carries Lixil past Obic in Pearl Bowl semifinals

Kick returner Naoki Maeda returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown with 38 seconds to play, giving the Lixil Deers a 21-16 comeback victory over the Obic Seagulls on Sunday in the semifinals of the Pearl Bowl tournament.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
May 29, 2016

Industry helps Chinese game their way into and through U.S. colleges

The advertisements were tailored for Chinese college students far from home struggling with the English language and an unfamiliar culture.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 27, 2016

Aisin, Toshiba renew storied rivalry in NBL Finals

The Aisin SeaHorses and Toshiba Brave Thunders squared off against each other during the final Japan Basketball League Finals to wrap up the 2012-13 season.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
May 27, 2016

'Historical Unknowns: Historia'; 'Morning Comes'; DHC

Kumamoto Castle, which was seriously damaged in last month's earthquake, is one of Japan's most beloved and iconic landmarks. Originally built in the 15th century, the structure is one of the largest fortifications in Japan and covers a big piece of land. It is famous for its stone foundation — the...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2016

Abe's pro-Shinto motives in spotlight with choice of G-7 opening ceremony venue

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked satisfied as he met top leaders from the Group of Seven countries at the gate to a giant Shinto-style wooden bridge.
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
May 26, 2016

Will Manchester United regret bringing in Mourinho?

If nice guys finish second, it is easy to see why Manchester United believes Jose Mourinho can deliver another Premier League title.

Longform

After the asset-price bubble crash of the early 1990s, employment at a Japanese company was no longer necessarily for life. As a result, a new generation is less willing to endure a toxic work culture —life’s too short, after all.
How Japan's youth are slowly changing the country's work ethic