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EDITORIALS
Jul 26, 2017

Kake Gakuen questions still unanswered

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should realize that his administration won't win back the trust of voters until it gives a more convincing account of the Kake Gakuen case.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 25, 2017

Abe revises statements on Kake scandal in Diet after opposition raises discrepancies

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's struggles continued Tuesday at a special Diet session held to probe the Kake Gakuen scandal, as opposition lawmakers pointed out contradictions in his past remarks on when he learned about the school operator's plan to apply for a special government deregulation project.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 19, 2017

Mueller says Trump Jr., Manafort can testify publicly before Congress: Feinstein

President Donald Trump's eldest son and his former campaign chairman have been given approval by a U.S. special counsel to testify publicly to Congress as part of investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee said on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 22, 2017

Opposition parties compel Abe to reopen Diet for Kake probe, invoking Article 53

Invoked Article 53 obliges Abe convene an extraordinary Diet session to deliberate on the brewing scandal, but still leaves room for the Cabinet to delay.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 17, 2017

Does Japan really need more veterinarians?

The ongoing scandal involving the private educational corporation Kake Gakuen hinges on whether or not Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indirectly pushed the Cabinet to approve a new veterinary department for Okayama University of Science, a school run by Kake, whose chairman, Kotaro Kake, is a close friend...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 14, 2017

Tokyo's Filipino housekeepers arrive as part of program to bolster sagging labor numbers

Housekeeping operators are looking to increase more foreign maids in Tokyo, taking advantage of a special deregulation-zone system, as the need for such services is expected to grow.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Jun 12, 2017

Tokai region aircraft industry attempts to attract new crop of recruits

Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures in the Tokai region are working hard to train the next generation of human resources in the aircraft industry, which is involved in the manufacture of Boeing planes and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, the first jet airliner designed and produced in Japan.
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2017

Diet enacts abdication law for Emperor Akihito

The Diet enacts a special law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate, shifting public attention to the date for the rare event.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 6, 2017

Freedom of expression under siege in Okinawa

With respect to democracy, rule of law and human rights, Japan is moving backward under the Abe administration.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
May 31, 2017

School kitchens in Japan risk being swamped by food allergy claims

Data suggest Japan's schools are seeing a surge in food allergies among students, but are all the claims legitimate?
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 27, 2017

In shake-up, Trump to set up 'war room' to repel attacks over Russia probe

Once U.S. President Donald Trump returns from his overseas trip, the White House plans to launch its most aggressive effort yet to push back against allegations involving Russia and his presidential campaign, tackling head-on a scandal that has threatened to consume his young presidency.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
May 23, 2017

South Korean 'swordsman' leads prosecution against impeached ex-leader Park

A high-flying prosecutor, who was demoted under impeached former president Park Geun-hye, is overseeing the case against her as Park made her first appearance in court on Tuesday to face criminal charges over the corruption scandal that ousted her.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 21, 2017

South Korea's Moon names top ministers and security adviser

South Korea President Moon Jae-in named the finance minister, foreign minister and top security adviser for his new government on Sunday as it faces challenges nurturing economic recovery, soothing ties with China and dealing with North Korea.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 13, 2017

With a threat of 'tapes,' Trump tells ousted FBI chief not to talk to media

Donald Trump warned ousted FBI Director James Comey on Friday not to talk to the media, a highly unusual move that prompted fresh charges the president is trying to silence the man who led an investigation into possible collusion between Trump's election campaign and Russia.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 21, 2017

Abdication panel hands in final report, confirming proposal for one-off law to let Emperor step down

The government abdication panel's final report recommends that Emperor Akihito be allowed to retire through a special temporary law, backing the Diet's consensus opinion.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 11, 2017

Kakiemon: Generations of beauty

There's still time to enjoy cherry blossoms. Through May 14, the Toguri Museum of Art in Tokyo is exhibiting a stunning new work by Sakaida Kakiemon XV, the current inheritor of one of the most famous names in Japanese porcelain. The very large lidded jar, commissioned by the museum to commemorate its...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Apr 8, 2017

Suzuki shines for South Georgia Tech

The South Georgia Technical College women's basketball team has quietly built a stellar program in recent years. With a vision and purposeful planning, coach James Frey, in his fifth season at the helm, and his staff have recruited smartly and found players, from near and far, including Japan, who fit...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 4, 2017

Moon, Ahn and a self-described strongman vie to lead South Korea

Five weeks from South Korea's election, it's down to a three-horse race.
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 27, 2017

Pyongyang threatens 'own style of pre-emptive attack' after joint U.S.-South Korea 'decapitation' drills

North Korea has threatened its own pre-emptive strikes in response to recent drills for "decapitation" strikes by U.S. and South Korean special operations forces aimed at taking out the leadership in Pyongyang.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 27, 2017

Abe rejects calls for wife to testify in Diet on Moritomo land scandal

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rejected more calls from the opposition Monday for his wife, Akie, to testify before the Diet over whether she offered a ¥1 million donation to Osaka-based private school operator Moritomo Gakuen, saying it was unnecessary.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Mar 20, 2017

Premium Friday campaign kicks off

The government-backed Premium Friday campaign encouraging workers to leave the office early once a month has begun.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Mar 18, 2017

Playground legend 'Bone Collector' brings his talent back to Japan

Streetball fanatics revel with delight when rattling off names of legends who competed at New York's famed Rucker Park in the 20th century.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Mar 16, 2017

Ryukyu's Terry reflects on memories of UNC's 2005 championship squad

Ryukyu Golden Kings forward Reyshawn Terry is part of a special fraternity.
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Mar 14, 2017

Honda primed for defense of world junior crown

Marin Honda's recent trip to the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Canton, Michigan, to prepare for defense of her world junior title with legendary coach/choreographer Marina Zoueva represented the continuation of a relationship that began two summers ago.

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