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Reader Mail
Jul 12, 2019

Abortion's impact was overstated

Regarding Robert Austenfeld's letter in the July 7 edition, "Abortion's role in depopulation," I think he has overstated the proportional effect of abortion on the falling birthrate. Every abortion does not necessarily affect the fertility rate, but you would not have thought that after reading his sermon-like...
Reader Mail
Jul 12, 2019

Trump drifting into self-parody

Regarding "Trump urges Americans to 'stay true to our cause' in controversial July Fourth fete" in the July 5 edition, Trump's darkly ironic commandeering of a holiday that celebrates independence from tyranny, along with his latest rallies and interviews, reconfirms that he's devoid of fresh ideas,...
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Jul 11, 2019

July 12, 2019

Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jul 11, 2019

Viral Momo Challenge hoax, based on sculpture by Japanese artist, being turned into Hollywood horror film

Momo, the goggle-eyed creature created by a Japanese artist that triggered a viral social-media hoax terrifying children and parents alike, is receiving a Hollywood makeover.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 11, 2019

In Japan, the business of watching whales is far larger than the business of hunting them

People packed the decks of the whale-watching boat, screaming in joy as a pod of orcas put on a show: splashing tails at each other, rolling over and leaping out of the water.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2019

Hong Kong chief executive's departure seen as just a matter of time

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's apologies and explanations about a doomed extradition bill have failed to quell political tension, and her departure is now seen by many in the Chinese-ruled city as merely a matter of time in a drawn-out, long goodbye.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 10, 2019

Can we achieve an 'age-free' society?

It's time we end the age-driven society and pay attention to the variety and differences among people in the same demographic.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 10, 2019

Why women are central to addressing climate change

Women suffer the most from climate change and they are also the most willing to address it.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jul 10, 2019

Episode 19: Why is Japan whaling again?

Whalers are delighted by the policy shift, but many around the world have been left outraged and confused as to why Japan is so keen to continue its hunts. Staff writer Sakura Murakami joins Oscar Boyd to discuss.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Jul 10, 2019

July 11, 2019

Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 9, 2019

Central banks under siege of populism

In the age of Trump, the Fed's independence from the government is under even greater threat.
SUMO
Jul 9, 2019

Sumo 101: Non-Tokyo tournaments

There are six honbasho (official tournaments) every year. They take place in the odd-numbered months, with half being hosted in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jul 9, 2019

Mastering the art of multilingual performance

Tokyo's cozy 60-odd-seat Komaba Agora Theater isn't perhaps where you would expect a cutting-edge multilingual drama experiment to be staged, but that's just where Oriza Hirata has chosen to work his latest magic.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 9, 2019

Tokyo NPO tries new strategy to tackle youth suicide — supporting the supporter

Alcoholism, addiction and depression: Few people can overcome these things alone.
SOCCER
Jul 9, 2019

Japanese right back Sai van Wermeskerken prepares to join Zwolle

Sai van Wermeskerken will become the latest Japanese player to join a top-flight European club this summer as he prepares to sign with the Netherlands' PEC Zwolle pending the completion of a medical examination.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 9, 2019

Japanese comedians turn to yakuza-linked 'underground performances' due to unstable income

Despite mounting criticism over recently revealed "underground performances" for organized crime by some comedians, quitting such work appears difficult, as they are important sources of income for the entertainers, many of whom are apparently not earning enough money from activities through their talent...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2019

Global unity necessary for tackling worldwide issues

Representatives from various religious groups, nonprofit organizations and former political leaders discussed world peace, welfare, environment and other global issues during the G20 Interfaith Forum Japan 2019 on June 8 and 9, with prominent speakers including former British Prime Minister David Cameron,...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 8, 2019

Is John Bolton our last hope?

U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton is on the same page as Japan when it comes to North Korea, but his hawkish Iran stance is cause for concern.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jul 8, 2019

Get in tune with the sound of Japanese vocabulary

Certain Japanese words sound like they should represent an action, can you guess what a word means by how it's pronounced?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 8, 2019

Trump again tries to talk down Fed rate as he grooms possible successors to Jerome Powell

President Donald Trump wrapped up the weekend as he started it, jawboning the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates at a time when he may be sizing up his two latest picks for Fed governor as successors to Chairman Jerome Powell.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Jul 8, 2019

July 8, 2019

Japan Times
SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM
Jul 7, 2019

New way to tackle depopulation issues

At a recent forum in Tokyo, several municipal leaders stressed the importance of nurturing a pool of nonresident supporters who have a certain level of interaction with a municipality to rejuvenate regions, rather than just sticking to trying to increase the number of residents to stem depopulation....
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jul 7, 2019

Japanese firms cautious of fallout from deteriorating ties between Tokyo and Seoul

A number of Japanese firms are anxiously watching developments after Tokyo ends preferential treatment for exports of key materials to South Korea.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 7, 2019

Leftist Alexis Tsipras' days in power appear numbered as Greeks hold snap election

Greeks began voting on Sunday in the first general election since Greece emerged from international bailouts, with runoff polls predicting conservatives will come to power and end four years of leftist rule blamed for saddling the country with more debt.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 6, 2019

Japan faces an uphill battle to reduce plastic consumption

Anyone following recent coverage of the worldwide plastic waste crisis may note a contradiction in the reporting on Japan's place in the discussion. On the one hand, Japan boasts a very high plastic recycling rate owing to local governments' sorting rules, which are some of the strictest in the world....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jul 6, 2019

Hot new Japan book releases for the sweltering summer

Time travel, yakuza, street photography and more feature in the best upcoming J-Lit releases for this summer (and beyond).
COMMUNITY / Voices / OVERHEARD
Jul 6, 2019

Commuting crush

'It's not usually this crowded when I catch the train later in the morning.'
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 6, 2019

Facebook doesn't know if you're psychotic

Big data is still pretty bad at figuring out your secrets. That's a relief, and a disappointment.

Longform

Koichi Tagawa’s diary entry from Aug. 9, 1945, describes the day of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
The horrors of Nagasaki, in first person