Search - weekly

 
 
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jun 22, 2019

Japan's print media ponder wealth, poverty and pensions

One of my recollections from the bubble economy of the 1980s was a passage in a 1987 book titled "Hokokuron" ("The Theory of National Wealth"). Its author, the late economist Taiichi Sakaiya, stood out as one of the bubble era's most fervent cheerleaders.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jun 21, 2019

Ep. 5 'Reiwa!!'

Previously on "Terrace House": Risako takes a drastic — some may even say desperate — step of winning the charming Ruka over by flat out telling him to "date me," in what has been one of the show's more exciting proclamations of romantic intent. Then, we have to wait two whole weeks for his response....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jun 15, 2019

'Lawyerlessness' is a luxury Japan can no longer afford

In 1983, Time magazine looked at Japan and saw, to its astonishment, a "land without lawyers." "Most Japanese," said its report, "live — and die — without ever having seen a lawyer." Was this a country, or a mystic brotherhood? In the U.S. there was one lawyer for every 400 citizens; in Japan, one...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / Wide Angle
Jun 13, 2019

'Akira' is all set for its Hollywood remake

Like it or not, Hollywood's "Akira" is finally happening.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 13, 2019

Coalition vows retaliation after Yemen's Houthis strike Saudi airport

The Saudi-led military coalition vowed to respond firmly to a missile attack by Yemeni Houthi forces on a civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that wounded 26 people.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jun 7, 2019

Ep. 4 'I Want to Be a Hero'

Drama has come to "Terrace House" and we have Risako and Ruka to thank.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 7, 2019

1 in 4 Ebola cases go undetected or are caught too late in Congo: WHO

Roughly a quarter of Ebola infections in eastern Congo are estimated to be going undetected or found too late, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jun 4, 2019

Ep. 3 'Dreamed of Her'

Good things come to those who wait and, after patiently waiting through two episodes, I finally got to see what I show up to "Terrace House" for every week: roommates going on dates.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jun 4, 2019

Ep. 2 'Tempura Incident'

Based on the title alone, my expectations going into episode two of "Terrace House" — titled "Tempura Incident" — were high. Viewers of the “Boys & Girls in the City” season are sure to remember the infamous “meat incident” of 2016 where the housemates ate a roommate’s special beef without...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 3, 2019

Leader of Germany's SPD quits in blow to Merkel's loveless coalition

Andrea Nahles said on Sunday she would resign as the leader of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD), raising new doubts about the durability of Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition with the centre-left party.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 1, 2019

Lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama's 'war' gaffe puts spotlight on disputed isles

Diet lawmaker Hodaka Maruyama was kicked out of opposition party Nippon Ishin no Kai last month over remarks he made during an exchange excursion to one of the Russian-controlled islands off the coast of Hokkaido that Japan claims as its own. Other opposition parties have demanded he resign and the ruling...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jun 1, 2019

Is disgust with the status quo now feeding nostalgia for the past?

Bulgarian scholar Ivan Krastev, in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun published in March, compared the restless discontent of the 1960s with that of today. Fifty years ago, he said, disgust with the status quo fed hope for the future. Today it feeds nostalgia for the past.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
May 30, 2019

Rino Sashihara: Can one 'idol' beat the system?

An idol group such as AKB48 is designed for members to be easily replaced. The performers existing in these environments constantly get shuffled around and eventually "graduate" — a term used for when they leave. Fans might become attached to a specific member and follow them on their musical journey....
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 29, 2019

France pledges to fight for plant where GE plans 1,044 job cuts

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday he would fight to save jobs at a General Electric Co. (GE) factory in eastern France where more than 1,000 posts are threatened.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
May 28, 2019

U.S. measles outbreak grows to 940 with 60 new cases across 26 states

The United States recorded 60 new measles cases last week, taking confirmed cases for the year to 940, the worst outbreak since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000, federal health officials said on Monday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Food Sustainability in Japan
May 25, 2019

For Eat Local Kobe, it's important to stick close to your roots

Through its farmer's market, cafe-supermarket and community events, Eat Local Kobe is building a sustainable and robust network to support the region's small organic farmers.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 25, 2019

The downfall of Theresa May, the prime minister broken by Brexit

At 10:11 a.m., a devastated Theresa May walked back in through the black door of No. 10 Downing St., tears in her eyes. Once inside she found her husband, Philip, and the couple went through to the prime minister's private study together for a few moments alone.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 24, 2019

Trump says 'very dangerous' Huawei may be included in U.S.-China trade deal

President Donald Trump said Thursday that U.S. complaints against Huawei Technologies Co. might be resolved within the framework of a U.S.-China trade deal, while at the same time calling the Chinese telecommunications giant "very dangerous."
SOCCER / From the Spot
May 22, 2019

Blown call leaves Japanese soccer world scrambling to enact reforms

Friday night's 3-2 win by Shonan Bellmare over Urawa Reds showcased everything great about the J. League, with the plucky underdogs winning in stoppage time to cap a dramatic comeback.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
May 21, 2019

'Game of Thrones' scores record TV audience, leaves fans sad and mad

Warning: This story contains spoilers for the final episode of "Game of Thrones."
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
May 18, 2019

Imagination Pika Space: Building a new world of art, music and soul food

A desire to promote self-expression and creative endeavors inspired Haruki Kumagai to open the Imagination Pika Space performance venue and bar in Osaka's Shinsekai neighborhood.
SOCCER / From the Spot
May 15, 2019

J. League levels up video

In the third year of the J. League's decade-long, $2 billion domestic broadcasting deal with DAZN, the league is hitting its digital stride and starting to deliver content on par with some of the world's top competitions.
ENVIRONMENT
May 11, 2019

Reading the air: Tokyo still has work to do on air pollution

There are days when Makiko Ishikawa can barely breathe. Indeed, the 62-year-old Tokyoite has been short of breath for decades. In the early 1970s, she began feeling the effects of the miasma of vehicle exhaust along Shin-Ome Road, which ran by her home in the city of Musashimurayama in western Tokyo....
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
May 5, 2019

South Korea's booming 'webtoons' put Japan's print manga on notice

Japan has long prided itself on being a manga powerhouse, but intense competition from overseas has left the industry at a crossroads.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 5, 2019

Probe begins into Boeing 737-800 that slid off runway into Florida river

Federal investigators on Saturday began searching for what caused a Boeing jetliner with 143 people on board to slide off a runway into a shallow river while landing at a Jacksonville, Florida military base during a thunderstorm, injuring 21 people.
JAPAN
May 1, 2019

In first speech, Japan's new emperor vows to emulate father and fulfill duties as 'symbol of the state'

Delivering his first speech since ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne, Japan's new emperor vowed to “act according to the Constitution” and fulfill his role as the symbol of the state.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 28, 2019

'Jilted bride': As South Korea marks peace summit, North stays aloof

Along forest trails below a bare mountain peak that until last year was a vantage point for a North Korean guard post, a group of around 20 ordinary South Koreans took a rare hike on Saturday near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 27, 2019

Weak South Korean economy and cooling North Korea ties threatening Moon Jae-in's political future

South Korea's Moon Jae-in has staked his presidency on tackling two big challenges: North Korea and the economy. Both are proving to be stubborn foes.
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Apr 20, 2019

Understanding the true ties between health and success

There's a right way and a wrong way to do everything — and you're probably doing it wrong.

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building