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Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2018

Issue of abandoned land slowing rural development in Japan

Nestled in the mountains on the border of Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures is Takahashi, a city of about 31,000 people which lies 30 minutes by train from the popular international tourist destination of Kurashiki.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 1, 2018

Breaking down the Kake Gakuen scandal: Who's lying, Abe or his political opponents?

Opposition camp lawmakers roared in anger. Stenographers were ordered to stop transcribing. The prime minister accused an opposition leader of lying.
Japan Times
Jun 1, 2018

Yamaha Motor to Upgrade European Subsidiary’s Robotics Solutions and Customer Services

— Will dispatch robotics specialist from Japan and launch German, Italian, Spanish and French websites —
WORLD
May 31, 2018

Australia to review spy laws amid concerns over Chinese influence, top government legal officer says

Australia will review its espionage laws, the government's chief legal officer said this week, as the country seeks to strengthen spy agencies strained by juggling counter-terror work and worries about China's rising influence.
JAPAN / Politics
May 30, 2018

'Military geek' Shigeru Ishiba not afraid to criticize Abe but election math eludes

Upon attending the opening ceremony of a museum in April in Tottori Prefecture, veteran Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shigeru Ishiba made a sidesplitting appearance by dressing up as Majin Boo — the pudgy, baby-like villain in the popular anime "Dragon Ball."
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 28, 2018

Let's discuss unfair play from Nichidai

The head coach of Nihon University's American football team says he will quit after apologizing to a Kwansei Gakuin University player over a controversial play.
BUSINESS
May 28, 2018

Trump car tariff threat divides Detroit's blue and white collars

Blue-collar auto workers are getting behind U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat against car imports, but the suits in America's car capital doubt a crackdown will come to pass.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 28, 2018

JAL and ANA request extensions for China's order to submit to Taiwan directive

Most of the foreign airlines that agreed to tweak references to Taiwan to reflect the island as part of mainland China have been given more time to comply as Beijing extends a crackdown on companies regarding its stance on disputed territories.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 26, 2018

Trump says U.S. in 'productive talks' with North Korea, suggests summit with Kim could still happen on June 12

Just a day after abruptly pulling out of a planned summit with North Korea's leader, U.S. President Donald Trump held out hope Friday that the talks could still be held — possibly even on the scheduled June 12 date in Singapore.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 24, 2018

North Korea issues most direct threat yet to pull out of summit with U.S.

In North Korea’s most direct comment yet that the planned summit with the U.S. may be in jeopardy, a top official from the nuclear-armed country said Thursday that it will reconsider the meeting if Washington continues with “unlawful and outrageous acts” — a reference to a “Libya-style” coerced...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 22, 2018

Tomoo Gokita: Exposing the underbelly of pop culture

Tomoo Gokita's deformations of his subjects are surrealistic with a precision mix of austere black, white and grays, low-brow culture imagery, kookiness and powerfully evocative draftsmanship.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 21, 2018

Let's discuss the scandal surrounding Tokio's Tatsuya Yamaguchi

Tatsuya Yamaguchi, a member of Japanese all-male pop group Tokio, intends to leave the band after coming under fire for kissing a high school student.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 20, 2018

China agrees to ramp purchases of U.S. goods, but, $200 billion figure not mentioned

China has agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services, the two countries said Saturday, but made no mention of a $200 billion target the White House had touted earlier.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 19, 2018

'Chibanian' data falsification claim halts IUGS screening for naming geological era

An international organization weighing a proposal to name a geological period after Chiba Prefecture has suspended the process due to an allegation of data falsification, a Japanese research team said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 18, 2018

Lagging inflation and indecisiveness could delay Bank of Japan's exit from easing

The Bank of Japan's preferred inflation gauge fell for the second straight month in April, dropping from 0.9 percent in the previous month to 0.7 percent, as consumer prices refuse to cooperate with the BOJ's 2 percent inflation target, according to government data released Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 16, 2018

Japan's economy shrinks in first quarter of 2018 after two-year run of growth

The economy shrank by 0.2 percent in the first three months of 2018, snapping a run of two years of positive growth, according to the Cabinet Office.
MORE SPORTS
May 15, 2018

Dangerous plays by Nihon University defender rock college football

There was a sign that read "The Buck Stops Here" on former U.S. President Harry S. Truman's desk in his White House office.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 14, 2018

Let's discuss the capture of the Shikoku prison escapee

A fugitive who eluded thousands of police officers combing a small island for more than three weeks was finally caught 70 km away in Hiroshima.
COMMENTARY / World
May 12, 2018

Demanding too much certainty of science

It's counterintuitive but true. Here's why.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
May 11, 2018

Secondhand retail redefined in Japan as online flea markets rise in value

In June, the popular online flea market, Mercari Inc., is expected to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Mothers section, which is reserved for high-growth startup companies. According to an article in the April 18 Asahi Shimbun the value of the company's stock at the time of the listing could exceed...
CULTURE / Music
May 9, 2018

'Amachan' star rebrands as Non and kicks out the jams on 'Super Heroes' debut

During the summer of 2013, when millions of viewers tuned in every morning to catch the latest installment of NHK's "Amachan," the show's sprightly 19-year-old star, Rena Nonen, seemed destined for big things. But her breakout role quickly became a cautionary tale about the perils of the entertainment...
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 9, 2018

Kim, Xi talk denuclearization as North Korean leader makes second secret visit to China

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he was committed to giving up his nuclear weapons if security guarantees were met, during a surprise visit to the Chinese port city of Dalian just weeks ahead of a planned summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese...
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
May 8, 2018

Rafael Arutunian looking forward to coaching teen star Marin Honda

Rafael Arutunian is going through a bit of deja vu right now.
JAPAN
May 8, 2018

Education ministry includes 'open kitchens' in new kindergarten guidelines

The education ministry has suggested that kindergartens install open-style kitchens that allow children to watch their meals being prepared, to spark their interest in food and teach them healthy eating habits.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
May 8, 2018

U.S. court blocks transfer, apparently to Saudi Arabia, of alleged American Islamic State fighter held in Iraq

A U.S. appeals court on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from immediately transferring an American citizen accused of being an Islamic State member from military custody in Iraq to an unidentified country, apparently Saudi Arabia.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 7, 2018

Let's discuss relations between Japan and North Korea

Despite what appears to be good news that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is eager to hold a bilateral summit with Japan, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe remains cautious, saying there are many hurdles to be overcome.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji