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CULTURE / Music
Nov 4, 2016

'PPAP' goes the world: How Pikotaro became a viral smash

Pikotaro still can't believe it all. Two days before he sits down with The Japan Times, the performer saw that American DJ duo The Chainsmokers had changed their Twitter name to "Pineapple & Pen," a nod to his song "PPAP." That pair previously claimed YouTube's most popular clip with "Closer" — until...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Nov 4, 2016

Tokyo's first Russian-style maid cafe

Twelve men sit in silence at a new cafe in Tokyo's Shinjuku district as three women dressed in Russian attire start serving a sour-looking plate of borscht.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 4, 2016

Brexit challenge will be supreme test of Britain's top court

The century-old Portland stone building of the U.K.'s Supreme Court stands on London's Parliament Square, separated from the historic structures housing lawmakers and religious leaders by about 400 feet.
BUSINESS
Nov 3, 2016

Citing national security, U.S. senators urge panel to reject China metals giant's planned buyout of Aleris

Twelve U.S. senators on Wednesday urged that a national security review panel reject Chinese aluminum giant Zhongwang International Group Ltd.'s proposed $2.3 billion purchase of U.S. aluminum products maker Aleris Corp.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 2, 2016

JAAF makes changes with 2020 Games looming

With the stunning silver-medal performance by the men's 4x100-meter relay squad, Japan's track and field team seemed to have left the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on a high note this summer.
Japan Times
Places
Nov 2, 2016

Prime koyo (autumn leaves) viewing spots in Japan

While Japan is famous worldwide for its spring cherry blossoms, its autumn leaves are equally as breathtaking. The country's mountainous terrain means travelers can see hills full of reds, oranges and yellows — if they time their trips just right.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Nov 2, 2016

Chinese lawmakers poised to ban some private schools: report

China may ban for-profit, private elementary and middle schools in a move likely to tighten government control of education and cool a fast-growing but poorly regulated sector.
EDITORIALS
Nov 1, 2016

Laws alone won't stop bullying

Teachers and school officials must realize that only concrete action on their part can put a stop to student bullying.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 1, 2016

Park Geun-hye crisis fans Korean lost decade risks

President Park's links to the Rasputin of Korea make her a lame duck leader and kills off chances for reform.
JAPAN
Nov 1, 2016

Frequent visitors can now use automated immigration gates at airports

The Justice Ministry launched a new program Tuesday to allow repeat visitors to Japan to complete the immigration entry process at unmanned gates, a move aimed at cutting wait times.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 1, 2016

Ex-Fighters skipper Hillman ready for Korea challenge

It has been a hectic two weeks, to say the least, for Trey Hillman.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2016

Over 70 rights groups want Facebook to explain content-removal policy

More than 70 rights groups asked Facebook on Monday to clarify its policies for removing content, especially at the behest of governments, alleging the company has repeatedly censored postings that document human rights violations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 31, 2016

Honda opts for Tokyo over Silicon Valley as home for AI research center

Honda Motor Co. will spearhead its artificial intelligence efforts out of a new lab in Tokyo so researchers can work closely with its engineers to commercialize the technology.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Oct 30, 2016

Role model: black beauty Aoi becomes the Cooks' cat

Aoi, a cat first featured in this column in March, has now found a home in Yokohama with Norm and Sumiko Cook and their other cat, Cheetah.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 30, 2016

Porter Robinson seeks 'Shelter' inside a fantasy world for his anime debut

At 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 18, Porter Robinson stood on a street corner in Shibuya and watched his lifelong dream become reality.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Oct 30, 2016

Iceland's Pirate Party makes historic breakthrough in election

AFP-JIJI
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 29, 2016

Could nuclear advocacy be Abe's undoing?

Voters have elected anti-nuclear governors in Kagoshima and Niigata prefectures in recent months. These elections can be considered referenda on nuclear power because that issue was the main focus of debate in both campaigns. The results have put Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — and his plans to rev up...
LIFE / Style & Design
Oct 29, 2016

Tokyo offers a wealth of innovative design, some of it for free

Tokyo Design Week has kicked in, with its first session ending on Oct. 31 and its second session running Nov. 2 to 7. But if the innovative products, architecture and robotics in Meiji Jingu Gaien are not enough to satiate your design curiosity, there are several free exhibitions in the city that are...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 29, 2016

Are Japanese really 'docile'?: challenging an enduring myth

A common perception abroad is that Japanese society is docile. This is partly thanks to Western writers who tried to create a single profile of the Japanese in the early to mid-20th century, such as Ruth Benedict in her 1946 book "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword." Today, this dangerous myth of consensus...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Oct 29, 2016

Stylist Kosei Matsuda: 'On every wall there's a door to walk through'

Young designer on sea urchin, Anpanman and working on photo shoots
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 29, 2016

Musk unveils solar roofs made of glass tiles

Elon Musk showcased his ambitions to make Tesla Motors Inc. a clean-energy behemoth on Friday, unveiling a new solar roof product at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 28, 2016

October 29, 2016

Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 28, 2016

The faces of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2016

The 29th Tokyo International Film Festival, which opened on Tuesday, is screening a variety of cinema from all over the world at various venues in Tokyo. The festival runs until Nov. 3, when the jury will announce the winning films from the competition.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Oct 27, 2016

Katakami preps teams for media

Credit the B. League for making an earnest effort to raise the professional reputation of men's basketball in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 27, 2016

Japan global forum looks at ways to get ahead in world of rapid change

The world is going through a turbulent time of rapid change and huge technological advancements, and the events of 2016 are evidence of just how unpredictable it can get.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’