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Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Feb 11, 2023

'The Tatami Galaxy' is an imaginative romp through parallel worlds

Tomihiko Morimi’s rollicking novel about a disillusioned college student searching for his ideal life infuses looping narratives with lightly philosophical insights into choice and destiny.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 30, 2022

Legendary Pele was Brazil’s ambassador to the world

Former Brazil star Pele was a man who moved in the company of celebrities and presidents and a player who could pause a civil war and then shake hands with a queen.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 26, 2022

Charles charts a path as a king for all holiday seasons

Adding a Hanukkah party and Diwali treats to the traditional Christmas address, King Charles III is publicly embracing a more inclusive monarchy in his first months.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 21, 2022

The hard-won benefits of Indonesia's soft diplomacy

The rest of the world would benefit by learning a lesson or two from Indonesian President Joko Widodo's success at the recent G20 summit in Bali.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 10, 2022

Deep in Yamagata's mountains, rural artisans pull on history's threads

A spell of financial insecurity during the Edo Period gave rise to one of Japan's strongest textile traditions.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 4, 2022

Firebrand poet Rin Ishigaki speaks for modern women in 'This Overflowing Light'

Poet Rin Ishigaki may not have been as prolific as some of her contemporaries such as Makoto Ooka and Shuntaro Tanikawa, but she occupies a unique space in Japanese poetry with her affinity for elevating the familiar and her pragmatic take on the human condition.
BUSINESS
Nov 27, 2022

The humiliating fall of Nidec billionaire's handpicked successor

The story of Jun Seki's time at the company is a cautionary tale of the risks of taking over from a self-made titan who finds it near-impossible to pass the reins.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 25, 2022

How to put your best foot forward when stepping into a Japanese tatami room

You get an invite to your landlord's place, which is great. However, now you have to navigate the etiquette rules of the tatami room they will entertain you in.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Nov 24, 2022

China’s grandparents are done babysitting and ready to go viral

Rapping grannies, crooning 70-year-olds and gamers in their 80s are challenging traditional Chinese views about aging and what it means to have a long and happy life.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Nov 20, 2022

The challenging journey that led to Nara's crown jewel

Image and temple were each the largest structure of its kind, dwarfing all work previously done in a country whose culture had never before, and rarely since, valued size for its own sake.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 19, 2022

Do you know how much a kid will cost you?

Parents can no longer afford to just 'figure it out' as they go when it comes to the financial expense of having kids.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 7, 2022

Go For Kogei: The evolution of Hokuriku's crafts, art and nature

The craft-art festival, which takes place at three historical temples and shrines, showcases how the region's history and artisanal works are closely intertwined.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Sep 17, 2022

'Konbini Confessions' captures the late-night antics of city dwellers

Rapper Miyachi's YouTube channel taps into local nightlife with humor and humanity, revealing a side of Japan not often seen in uploads centered on the country.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Longform
Aug 29, 2022

How faith and spirituality shape modern Japan

The religious movement behind the grudge held by the man charged with Abe's assassination has cast a fresh light on how religion is perceived and practiced in the nation.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 24, 2022

Degeiko training endures despite rise in COVID-19 infections

The Japan Sumo Association's decision to allow joint training between stables is both a benefit for wrestlers and a positive sign of a return to pre-pandemic norms.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 22, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s booming — and this time it isn’t only about oil

A scramble for properties is reflecting a social and economic shift that's reshaping the kingdom, accelerated by the crown prince's overhaul program.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Aug 9, 2022

Commonwealth Games reach triumphant close as Birmingham parties

Australia easily topped the event's medal table above host England, while organizers touted strong ticket sales and growing interest among participants in hosting future editions.
JAPAN
Jun 22, 2022

Will a ¥10 trillion fund be the savior of Japan’s universities?

Experts say that without major reform of Japan's deeply ingrained academic culture, it will be hard to improve the quality of the nation's research — no matter how much money is spent.
JAPAN / Science & Health / Longform
Jun 13, 2022

As COVID-19 fears subside, Japan debates the future of masks

How much longer before the nation reaches a tipping point when people start ditching their masks en masse?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 12, 2022

Director Werner Herzog finally finds his medium

The filmmaker behind “Grizzly Man” and “Fitzcarraldo” makes a late-career foray into fiction with “The Twilight World,” a new book about a real-life Japanese intelligence officer.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jun 4, 2022

A race against time to save Japan’s traditional homes

It takes a village to save the dwindling expressions of Japan's quintessential folk architecture.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 25, 2022

China's Gen Z has the power to make or break western brands

The 270-million-strong cohort born since the mid-1990s is already flexing their power: They have the fastest spending growth out of any generation in China.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
May 8, 2022

Sota Atsumi brings Parisian flair back home to Tokyo

One of the most intriguing restaurant openings at the end of last year passed under the radar of many Tokyo gastronomes. That was due in part to timing: In November, the pandemic still had many people leery about eating out. But the other reason for the low-key start is that Sota Atsumi, the chef in...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 6, 2022

Emma Kawawada's humane portrayal of the Kurdish diaspora

'My Small Land,' which centers on young girl and her family seeking asylum in Japan, is based on extensive interviews that the director conducted over the space of nearly two years.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 4, 2022

Fan-produced content boosts sumo's international visibility

With few dedicated English-language journalists covering sumo, the importance of fan-produced translations, blogs and reports remains high.
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 2, 2022

At 119, she was a symbol of how to live with wit and vitality

Kane Tanaka, who died in Japan last month, survived two world wars, the 1918 influenza outbreak, paratyphoid and two rounds of cancer.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 22, 2022

Anna Takeuchi discovers the power of positive pop

While many musicians embraced the glum stagnation of the COVID years, Anna Takeuchi chose to take those lemons and make lemonade with her new album, 'Tickets.'
Japan Times
CULTURE
Apr 16, 2022

Magic: The Gathering taps into Japanese pop culture

The cyberpunk-themed Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty expansion set enchants its dedicated fan base with world-renowned artists.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami