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Reader Mail
Dec 13, 2014

Population worry is short-term one

Shinji Fukukawa offers many valid comments and criticisms in his Dec. 9 article, "Post-Abenomics" reforms," but of his six suggestions for reform, the first one — that Japan must repopulate — is a red herring.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 12, 2014

In Fukui, economy, reactors inseparable in election debate

For most of Japan, the issues of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policies and nuclear reactor restarts are generally separate debates. But not in LDP-leaning Fukui.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2014

'Perseverance' repeats as word of the year in Aeon poll

Foreign teachers working for English language school chain Aeon Corp. have chosen "perseverance" as the word of the year to describe Japan for the second consecutive year, the company said Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 12, 2014

Abe's base aims to restore past religious, patriotic values

As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promises voters a bright future for Japan's economy, key parts of his conservative base want him to steer the nation back toward a traditional ethos mixing Shinto myth, patriotism and pride in the ancient Imperial line.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 11, 2014

Taking flight with Arata Isozaki

I once almost got to interview the architect Arata Isozaki, but it was canceled due to his ill health at the time. No doubt a consideration in the cancelation was the fact that interviews with him can go to extreme lengths, as Isozaki has much to tell, having collaborated with almost every big name in...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 10, 2014

Get festive with a legend at Matsuyama's 'Nutcracker'

Christmas in the ballet world means "The Nutcracker," and fans in Japan can take their pick from numerous productions of this mistle-toed magic originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov and premiered at the Marinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on Dec. 18, 1892, with music by Pyotr Ilyich...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 9, 2014

'Abenomics' in the spotlight

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe blames the opposition camp for criticizing 'Abenomics' without presenting lternatives. But finding a way to put today's economy on a virtuous circle is akin to trying to create something out of nothing.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KANPAI CULTURE
Dec 9, 2014

Sake specialists give a lesson in culture

In Saijo, Hiroshima Prefecture, the largest room in the home of Hisao Maegaki, president of the sake brewery Kamoizumi Shuzo, is set for a feast.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 7, 2014

Remembrance that stifles

Victim and revisionist nationalisms about the past in East Asia block the way to greater regional integration.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 6, 2014

Cultural differences shade reactions to robots

It was only right that Disney's new animated feature, "Big Hero 6," opened this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, and that Disney animation head John Lasseter was on hand to introduce it. Lasseter has often said that his career has been greatly influenced by Japanese anime — in particular the...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Dec 6, 2014

Oh deer, what a waste of food and fashion

In summer this year, my photographer chum Conan Morimoto brought a fashion-designer friend of his by the name of Teruki Uchise to talk to me and visit our Afan Trust woods outside Kurohime in the Nagano Prefecture foothills of the Northern Alps.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / JAPAN TIMES GONE BY
Dec 6, 2014

Opening WWI naval operations ended; U.S. architect plans Manchuria housing; Tokyo smog more poisonous; Ebola monkeys spur warning

The Navy Department yesterday published a survey of the operations of the different squadrons and divisions of the Imperial Navy since the outbreak of the world war, and announced that the first part of the operations has come to an end.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 6, 2014

Pirates coach Momose making most of skills

He is Japanese, trilingual and works for a major league baseball team. Kiyoshi Momose was the strength and conditioning coach for the visiting Major League Baseball squad on the recent All-Star tour of Japan. During the regular season, he works for the Pittsburgh Pirates, keeping in shape the players...
Japan Times
Places
Dec 6, 2014

Day trips from Tokyo

Tokyo has plenty to offer to visitors and residents, but for those times when you need something different, something slower, something roomier, here are few select days trips out of Tokyo.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 5, 2014

Lewis brings storied career back to track as coach

It's too early to know if Carl Lewis will one day be considered a legendary track coach.
EDITORIALS
Dec 5, 2014

The elephant in the room

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to postpone the second phase of the consumption tax hike may be popular with much of the electorate, but it would be unfortunate if the decision diverts people's attention from the nation's real fiscal plight.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Dec 4, 2014

Roby powering Akita with strong all-around game

The Akita Northern Happinets (14-4) have played nearly one-third of their 52-game schedule, and forward Richard Roby is having an MVP-caliber season.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 4, 2014

Bitcoin policymaker tries to gain converts before election

The man who single-handedly made Japan an oasis for bitcoin entrepreneurs was holding court with political supporters. The price of admission: ¥10,000.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Dec 3, 2014

Kick out the touts who rule Roppongi

if you are touted in Roppongi, do not waste your time reporting it to the police. You will be in for a very humiliating experience, as I discovered recently.
EDITORIALS
Dec 3, 2014

Debating nuclear energy

Lawmakers and parties need to lay out energy plans that include measures to reduce emissions that don't rely on nuclear power.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 2, 2014

With all parties opposed to tax hike, policy debates ring vague

Official campaigning for the Dec. 14 Lower House election started Tuesday, but voter enthusiasm remains low.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’