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Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 13, 2017

Samsung vice chairman grilled for hours in influence-peddling scandal

Prosecutors questioned Samsung Electronics Co.'s vice chairman and heir apparent for about 22 hours in an influence-peddling probe that has reached the highest levels of government and business in South Korea.
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Jan 12, 2017

Quality time for mothers, daughters

In order to make the happy occasion of starting spring more special as a university graduate, freshman or new worker, Tokyo Station Hotel is offering a mother-daughter "Spring Celebration" accommodation plan until April 28.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Jan 9, 2017

South Korean leader's friend Choi Soon-sil now charged with bribery

South Korean special prosecutors team have filed fresh charges including bribery against a close friend of impeached President Park Geun-hye, the central figure in a political scandal that has engulfed the country, the team said Monday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 10, 2016

Same-sex marriage sparks a 'culture war' in Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the most LGBT friendly societies in Asia, with an active gay community and possibly the largest annual gay pride parade in the region. In recent weeks expectations spiked that it would soon legalize same-sex marriage. On Dec. 3, The Economist opined, "It would be even better if the country...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 19, 2016

A cinematic view from overseas

The 29th edition of the TIFF, like every other festival, has suffered from content bloat over the years, but scanning the schedule carefully is worth the effort. A good place to start is usually the World Focus section; this category doesn't require that films be exclusive to TIFF, so it can draw from...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 12, 2016

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's cinematic apparitions

Directors who become known as horror specialists often end up making little else, whether by choice or not. Labeled a "horrormeister" for such supremely creepy films as "Cure" (1997) and "Pulse" (Kairo, 2001), Kiyoshi Kurosawa is one director who has successfully expanded beyond the genre with his dark...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Oct 9, 2016

9/11: the day Japan's Supreme Court went (slightly) postal

How the Supreme Court dealt with its mail problem says much about the way the law works in Japan.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 8, 2016

Isolated Russian outpost Kaliningrad withers under confrontation with West

The Baltic Sea outpost of Kaliningrad was once touted as Russia's future Hong Kong: separated from the mainland, with a special status that would allow it to thrive through trade.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Sep 3, 2016

For elderly residents, city life doesn't get old

The government in Japan is facing an immediate demographic crisis with regards to seniors, whose numbers relative to the general population are increasing rapidly. One of the main problems is where they are going to live out their lives.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 17, 2016

Slot Machine plans to show Fuji fans how Thailand rocks

Thailand has been a destination for Asian artists looking to expand their markets. From J-rock to K-pop, fans in Bangkok have been able to listen to their fill. Rock band Slot Machine wants this to be a two-way conversation and the members say they'll begin it this year by being the first Thai band to...
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 21, 2016

Where's the beef? Matsusaka looks to carve out a name for itself

Mie Prefecture's meat industry seeks to promote its prime marbled cuts worldwide.
Japan Times
Restaurants
Feb 12, 2016

Chocolatiers in Tokyo

For those who are shopping for Valentine’s or White Day chocolates, why go cheap when you can really show your love with premium chocolate? We have a list of some of the best chocolatiers in Tokyo that will satisfy your sweet tooth but may break the bank.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Feb 5, 2016

A Japanese gardener in Cuba; Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's 40th anniversary; CM of the week: Adidas

In 2015, the United States finally normalized relations with post-revolution Cuba. Japan, however, has never severed ties with the Caribbean country, and has always enjoyed a warm friendship with it. Part of the reason for this friendship is Kenji Takeuchi.
BUSINESS
Dec 9, 2015

Low tax on food will hurt the poor, say economists

Political negotiations between the nation's ruling coalition are approaching a showdown over the unpopular consumption tax, which is set to rise to 10 percent from 8 percent in April 2017. A sweetener being considered has drawn scathing criticism from many economists.
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Nov 14, 2015

Newton reflects on stellar Japan career

To define true greatness in pro sports, there's no greater measuring stick than championships.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 15, 2015

As historic election looms, Myanmar trials target student protesters

Every Tuesday, the moss-covered redbrick courthouse in Tharrawaddy erupts into activity for a weekly ritual: the mass trial of student protesters.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 6, 2015

Signs seen of road widening for futuristic mobility

Japan is about to take a step into the future of personal mobility by easing government regulations so that Segways and similar vehicles can be driven on public thoroughfares.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Jun 12, 2015

Women in jungles and deserts; George Clooney and super-fabulous people; CM of the Week: Daiwa Securities

This week's special two-hour "life with ups-and-downs" edition of the travel show "Sekai Naze Soko ni Nihonjin" ("Why Are Japanese People in That Part of the World?"; TV Tokyo, Mon., 9 p.m.) focuses on two women, one working in a tropical jungle, the other living in the desert.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
May 10, 2015

Residence cards, U.S. taxation and pension posers

A mixed bag of topics — from yet more on filing U.S. taxes to a looming deadline for 'gaijin cards.'
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Apr 3, 2015

Buddhist priests in a nutshell; Models survive on a desert island; CM of the week: Eneos

Producers of TV shows often try out their new creations during the wee hours and if they attract enough viewers the show is bumped up to prime time. That's the case with "Obosan Variety: Butchake-dera" ("Buddhist Priest Variety: In-a-nutshell Temple"; TV Asahi, Mon., 7 p.m.), whose prime time premiere...
Japan Times
CULTURE / CULTURE SMASH
Mar 27, 2015

AnimeJapan 2015 sees the big picture

For most in Japan, April marks the start of the new working year. But for the anime and manga industries, it all begins in March.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Mar 27, 2015

U.S. drug agents had sex parties funded by drug cartels: watchdog

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents had alleged "sex parties" with prostitutes over several years, said a report published on Thursday and stemming from a review of allegations of misconduct by several DEA agents in Colombia.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2015

India's growing crisis of democracy

An ambitious political experiment engineered by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party in the border state of Jammu and Kashmir — the only Muslim-majority state in India — threatens to implode within just a few days of its start.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2015

LDP, Komeito split on SDF's overseas role

The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito remained far apart Friday over how far to expand the Self-Defense Forces' overseas activities in line with the Abe administration's controversial reinterpretation of the pacifist Constitution last summer.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Feb 3, 2015

Opponents left in awe by Jordan's combination of talent, confidence

This is the sixth installment from Hall of Fame writer Sam Smith's new book "There Is No Next: NBA Legends on the Legacy of Michael Jordan."
Japan Times
Places
Jan 28, 2015

Tokyo's menagerie of pet cafes

Japan's animal cafes fill a very important niche, as many people, especially in urban areas, live in cramped apartments with strict no-pets policies. The pet cafe allows them to connect with the domesticated animal kingdom for the price of a cup of tea. Cat cafes got the ball rolling (after the first cat cafe landed in Osaka in 2004) and over the years that's expanded to a menagerie that includes rabbits, birds, goats and even penguins. Here is a selection of pet cafes in Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 17, 2015

'Refugees should have the same opportunities in life as everyone else'

What do Nobel laureate Albert Einstein, composer Frederic Chopin, war photographer Robert Capa and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud have in common? They were all refugees.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji