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Reader Mail
Jan 10, 2013

Debunking 'facts' about guns

In his Dec. 31 article, "Supreme copout: twisted justification for guns," Hiroaki Sato makes an unprincipled argument when he suggests that U.S. Supreme Court justices should allow their personal experience of victimization to factor into their interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2013

As radiation fears dwindle, so do checkups

When Dr. Masaharu Tsubokura began checking the internal radiation exposure levels of Minamisoma residents four months after the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant experienced three reactor core meltdowns, many were living in fear, not knowing what kind of dangers they were being exposed to by living...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2013

Christianity vs. secularism

Pope Benedict XVI had a busy holiday season, as you might expect, since it is a sacred time for Catholics and other Christians. He set himself the difficult-to- impossible task of trying to put Christ back into Christmas.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 7, 2013

Relatives of U.S. lawmakers lobby on bills before Congress

In 2007, in the wake of the biggest lobbying scandal in decades, Congress limited the ability of family members to lobby their relatives in the House of Representatives or Senate. But it declined to ban the practice entirely.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2013

Photog finds sense of heart, unity in Bhutan

Junko Kimura, 38, was among the many people who were moved by the Bhutanese King and his new wife as they traveled through Tokyo and Fukushima to encourage those affected by the March 2011 disasters.
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2013

A call for courage in 2013

There may be a temptation to coast through 2013. After all, we survived the end of the world last month, and if we can get through that, many people would like to believe that we have earned a respite. That do-nothing approach is probably the worst possible option. In truth, we have coasted for too long....
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 4, 2013

Golden Kings hammer Hannaryz for straight day

Sure, there are others who can call Jim Boeheim a mentor or a source of inspiration.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2013

Aid needed to counter Syrian extremists

The U.S. commitment to aiding the Syrian opposition against the brutal regime of Bashar Assad has been one of many words and few deeds. Repeated pledges of support absent material assistance have allowed fringe elements to establish themselves in northern Syria. If this trend persists, U.S. Secretary...
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 31, 2012

Fed's policies more risky than 'cliff'

In the short term, Washington lawmakers are understandably preoccupied with trying to avoid the "fiscal cliff."
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 30, 2012

Testing out tourism in Tohoku

Some, though not all, of our travels change our lives; they cultivate sensibilities, shape values and alter our outlook on things. One such trip I experienced was a sixth-grade school excursion to Hiroshima when, at the Peace Memorial Museum, I saw photographs of people who had suffered massive burns...
EDITORIALS
Dec 30, 2012

2012: a year of low points

For many people in Japan, the past year felt like a doubly busy year. In 2011, life here seemed to be on hold, waiting for the next earthquake, tsunami or radiation disaster. But by the end of 2012, the regular rhythms, worries and needs of the country started to return to normal. The past year was a...
EDITORIALS
Dec 29, 2012

Probation system needs a boost

Volunteer probation officers (VPOs), known as hogo-shi, are playing an important role in helping rehabilitate convicts and minors released from prison or juvenile reformatories on probation, and adults and minors who have been placed on probation without going to prison or reformatories.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WORDS TO LIVE BY
Dec 25, 2012

Benshi Midori Sawato

Midori Sawato is a benshi, a unique kind of performer who provides live narration to silent films at the movie theater. The benshi brings the characters in films alive using different voices and vocal expressions. They sit to the side of the screen, watching the movie with the audience and using their...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2012

Don't confuse mental illness with evil incarnate

As a baby reporter in Texas, I covered what we euphemistically called mental health services in the state. These "services," reserved for the dangerously ill, involved brief, groggy hospital stays followed up with a handshake, script for enough pills to stun a moose, and best wishes: See you soon!
EDITORIALS
Dec 24, 2012

Resuscitating the DPJ

The Democratic Party of Japan, which suffered a devastating defeat in the Dec. 16 Lower House election, is in the throes of a crisis characterized by apathy and loss of direction. Its Lower House seats dwindled from the pre-election 230 to 57. Eight members of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Yoshihiko...
Reader Mail
Dec 23, 2012

The porous pipeline of science

In his Dec. 6 letter, "Details from scientific sources," E. Watters claims that I made "a few errors" in my rebuttal. I would argue that we have different opinions based on available data regarding the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.
EDITORIALS
Dec 23, 2012

Facedown over privacy

In and around Tokyo, face-recognition cameras have started to take photos of passersby at various locations. Supermarket chains, shopping malls and vending machines inside JR East stations all have been using face-recognition software to identify the sex and age of individuals who come within line of...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2012

On eve of 79th birthday, Emperor reflects on past year

On the occasion of his 79th birthday, Emperor Akihito reflected on the past year and revealed that he decided to undergo heart bypass surgery in February so that he could attend the ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake the following month, on the first anniversary of...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Dec 22, 2012

Dutchman keeps paper-making traditions alive at his Shikoku studio

Rogier Uitenboogaart, who has been charmed by the world of washi (traditional Japanese paper) for the past three decades — especially its deep relationship with nature and people's everyday lives — is trying to help preserve both nature and the traditional craft in this country.
JAPAN / ELECTION 2012
Dec 18, 2012

Economy, split of antinuclear vote, aided LDP

The economy prevailed over nuclear power in the minds of voters in Sunday's general election, dealing a setback to antinuclear parties, including the newly established Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan) and the Social Democratic Party.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 17, 2012

Deflation only natural when politicians refuse to fix oversupplied Japan

Needless to say, the biggest challenge for the government to be formed after Sunday's general election is to put the Japanese economy on a growth path.
EDITORIALS
Dec 17, 2012

LDP back in the saddle again

The Liberal Democratic Party, which was badly defeated in the Lower House election in August 2009 and had to give up power to the Democratic Party of Japan after ruling the nation almost without interruption since 1955, made a comeback in Sunday's general election. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the...
Japan Times
JAPAN / ELECTION 2012
Dec 17, 2012

For Tokyo, Osaka voters, election revolved around economy

The multitude of parties and issues on the table Sunday made it difficult for voters to make up their minds, according to those who spoke with The Japan Times on the streets of Tokyo and Osaka.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 16, 2012

Even more than meltdowns; this election is essentially about Japan's war-renouncing Constitution

This is the 15th general election I have witnessed since coming to live in Japan in 1967, and by any standards it is the most crucial one of those for this country.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2012

New regional leaders face myriad challenges

What Japan needs the most as it emerges from the Lower House election is a more stable political leadership, after having six prime ministers in as many years, so that it can tackle mounting domestic challenges and manage its shaky ties with neighboring countries.
Reader Mail
Dec 16, 2012

Japan apocalypse in the making

For all the useless rhetoric about the so-called end of the Mayan calendar, which is simply a change from one era to another, it saddens me that so little attention is paid to the real hazards of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, including reactors 5 and 6. (Reactors 1 through 4 were shut down...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 14, 2012

Jackson bids for more magic with 'The Hobbit'

When asked what "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" offers that "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy didn't, actor Sir Ian McKellan pauses before answering.

Longform

Members of the nonprofit group Japan Youth Memorial Association search for the remains of dead soldiers in a cave in Okinawa Prefecture in February.
The long search for Japan’s lost soldiers