Search - information

 
 
JAPAN
May 4, 2019

140,000 people greet Japan's Emperor Naruhito as he makes first public appearance since accession

Emperor Naruhito expressed his hopes for progress toward world peace on Saturday at the Imperial Palace, where tens of thousands of people gathered to witness his first public greeting since ascending to the throne on May 1.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / ANALYSIS
May 3, 2019

Trump's 0-for-4 streak of Fed choices raises concern about vetting process

U.S. President Donald Trump has named four people for two seats on the Federal Reserve's board of governors. None of them have made it through the Senate, raising doubts about the president's central bank acumen and the White House's vetting process for nominees.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 2, 2019

Office makeovers focus on comfort and productivity as activity-based working takes hold in Japan

The first thing Hiroaki Ninoyu does almost every day when he arrives at work is head to the meditation room.
Reader Mail
May 2, 2019

Art museum renovation comes up short

Profound disappointment. After a two-year closure and ¥5.5 billion of public funds, upon visiting the newly renovated Fukuoka Art Museum, I was astonished to see little improvement and bad design. While I understand they wanted to preserve the integrity of the original architect's work, Kunio Mayekawa,...
Reader Mail
May 2, 2019

English flaws at secondary level

The increased passing rates of junior high and high school third-year students' in their respective Eiken Grade 3 and Pre-2 level tests, as reported in "Secondary schools miss English target" in the April 17 edition, is a positive step forward. That these rates fell below the lowly governmental targets...
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
May 2, 2019

William Barr defends clearing Trump on obstruction and calls Robert Mueller letter 'snitty'

Under pressure from Democrats, Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday defended his decision to clear President Donald Trump of criminal obstruction of justice by attempting to impede special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia inquiry and criticized Mueller for not reaching a conclusion of his own on...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 2, 2019

Russia denies U.S. claim it told Venezuela's Maduro not to flee

Russia on Wednesday rejected a U.S. allegation it had persuaded Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to flee the country the previous day, calling the assertion a calculated attempt to demoralize the army and escalate the crisis there.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 1, 2019

Public hope for more of the same from their new emperor and continuing peace for Japan in Reiwa

As Emperor Naruhito assumed his new role Wednesday, people on the streets of Japan expressed hope that he will continue the legacy of peace shaped by his father.
Special Supplements / Emperor Naruhito’s Ascension
May 1, 2019

A lifelong passion for water studies

Emperor Naruhito, who ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday following the abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito on Tuesday, is the first emperor who has studied outside Japan. He is known for his wide range of interests in foreign countries and also for his compassionate personality....
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
May 1, 2019

China's vast fleet seen tipping the balance of power in the Pacific

A generation ago, from mid-1995 into early 1996, China lobbed missiles in the waters around Taiwan as the self-governing island prepared to hold its first fully democratic presidential election. Washington forcefully intervened to support its ally, sending two aircraft carrier battle groups to patrol...
WORLD
Apr 30, 2019

Venezuela's Guaido says troops join him for coup; government says it is firmly in control

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Tuesday he had begun the "final phase" of his plan to oust President Nicolas Maduro, calling on Venezuelans and the military to back him to end Maduro's "usurpation."
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 30, 2019

Can capitalism beat climate change?

Only clear targets can transform rational self-interest from a potentially catastrophic force into a powerful driver of beneficial change.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 30, 2019

Motohiko Katano: Tied to shibori dyeing

A pioneer of shibori textile dyeing, Motohiko Katano created striking modern designs and fascinating tessellations of motifs that seemed to defy the capricious nature of resist dyeing.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 29, 2019

Sri Lanka raids headquarters of hard-line Islamist group suspected in Easter bombings

Sri Lankan police raided the headquarters of a hard-line Islamist group founded by the suspected ringleader behind the Easter suicide bombings of churches and hotels, a Reuters witness said, as Sunday mass was canceled due to fears of further attacks.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 29, 2019

Venezuela's Juan Guaido cancels rally after 'dictatorship' blocks route

The leader of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, canceled a rally scheduled to be held in the country's fourth-largest city on Sunday and said the "dictatorship" had prevented him from entering.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 29, 2019

If Trump was not president, he would be indicted for obstruction: ex-Justice Department No. 2

Former top Justice Department official Sally Yates said on Sunday that if Donald Trump were not president, he would have been indicted on obstruction charges in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Apr 28, 2019

New missile gap leaves U.S. scrambling to counter China, in shift that leaves Japan at risk

China's powerful military is considered to be a master at concealing its intentions. But there is no secret about how it plans to destroy American aircraft carriers if rivalry becomes war.
Japan Times
ESG CONSORTIUM
Apr 28, 2019

Ties key to driving social investment in Asia

Social investment refers to the various ways of structuring capital for both financial performance and social value creation, ranging from impact-only approaches, such as traditional philanthropy to venture philanthropy, impact investment and socially responsible investing through environmental, social and governance (ESG) screens and integration.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 2019

Hands-free travel approaches reality in Japan as firms tap demand for luggage-storage options

Having your luggage stolen or losing it while traveling can easily ruin a trip, but dragging bulky baggage around crowded tourist spots can hijack your itinerary, too.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / CHILD'S PLAY
Apr 28, 2019

Unko Museum: Nothing wrong with a little toilet humor

The Unko Museum, the world's first museum of poop, may be a flush of joy for kids, but is it fun for adults too?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Apr 28, 2019

Preserving ancient history while looking to the future

Seated in his embassy's beautifully appointed reception room, Ambassador Ayman Aly Kamel has much to share about Egypt's relationship with Japan.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Apr 28, 2019

A family that found a blessing in Wenceslas

The beautiful Wenceslas was first featured in Adopt Me! in November 2017. He'd been rescued from the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture along with tens of other dogs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Apr 28, 2019

Fukushima Prefecture enjoys sharp jump in foreign lodgers

Foreign hotel stays in Fukushima Prefecture more than doubled to 17,700 in January, marking the highest year-on-year growth among all prefectures, according to Japan Tourism Agency statistics released in March.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Apr 28, 2019

Aichi-based companies converge on Nagoya Station ahead of Japan's 2027 maglev launch

With the maglev line scheduled to launch in 2027, linking Tokyo and Nagoya, more companies in Aichi Prefecture are moving their headquarters closer to Nagoya Station to take advantage of the convenient location.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 27, 2019

Konbi: Offering a refined take on the classic konbini sandwich

Of the many konbini (convenience store) classics available on store shelves — from onigiri rice balls to ready-to-eat paper cups of fried chicken — you can't go wrong with the quintessential konbini sandwich.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 27, 2019

Challenge your senses with Dinner in the Dark

At Dinner in the Dark, diners eat and communicate with others while blindfolded, a task to test the senses as well as group dynamics.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 27, 2019

METI hatches plan to build Japanese-style 'Broadway' in Tokyo

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has started discussing with private companies the idea of developing a theater district in Tokyo like Broadway in New York to attract more tourists to the capital.
Reader Mail
Apr 26, 2019

Is convenience really rewarding?

"Two Lawson stores to trial unstaffed night operations" in the March 31 issue was an absorbing story. I don't agree with self-service stores.

Longform

After pandemic-era border regulations eased, Indian migrants began returning to Japan. Their population now stands at more than 50,000 across the country.
How remote work is rewriting the migrant experience in Japan