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JAPAN / Politics
Jun 1, 2016

Abe delays tax hike weeks before election

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday announced he is pushing back a second-stage hike in the consumption tax, from April next year to October of 2019.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 1, 2016

As voters welcome Japan's tax-hike delay, experts warn on costs

Economy mavens are split over the merits of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to delay the consumption tax hike to 2019.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 1, 2016

There’s a real story behind the ‘Fake’ documentary

Everybody loves a good scandal, and they don't come much riper than the tale of Mamoru Samuragochi. The public unmasking of "Japan's Beethoven" — a celebrated "deaf" composer who turned out to be neither completely deaf nor the main author of his work — was one of the biggest domestic news stories...
JAPAN / Politics
May 31, 2016

Aso falls into line on Abe's tax hike delay

Finance Minister Taro Aso says he will support the expected decision to delay the increase in the consumption tax, backpedaling from earlier criticism that doing so would renege on an election pledge.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2016

LDP grandees fall into line on postponing second-stage tax hike

Despite their earlier opposition, top executives in the Liberal Democratic Party effectively endorse Abe's plan to shelve the planned second-stage hike of the unpopular consumption tax.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
May 30, 2016

Carp could take control in CL by finally solving interleague puzzle

At this time two years ago, the Hiroshima Carp were the toast of the Central League. They were hitting well, pitching even better and at 27-15 had the best record in the CL. It looked, early on, like the team might be on track for the type of success not seen since the halcyon days of the Aka-heru era...
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2016

Japan's retail sales stall as Abe mulls delay to tax hike

The nation's retail sales growth stalled, underscoring weakness in private consumption and increasing the likelihood that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will delay a sales-tax increase planned for next year.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 29, 2016

Japan won't go quietly into the night as population falls

For a nation that rebuilt itself from the ashes of war, the modern challenge of repopulation should surely not prove impossible.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 27, 2016

Corporate Japan much more downbeat about escape from deflation: poll

Japan Inc. has become increasingly pessimistic about the country's ability to beat deflation, with the vast majority of firms now expecting no escape for the foreseeable future, a poll says.
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 24, 2016

In first interview since '14, scandal-hit Obokata says she has received job offers from U.S., Germany

Disgraced scientist Haruko Obokata says she has received offers from American and German scientists to continue her research.
EDITORIALS
May 22, 2016

U.N. nuclear disarmament talks

Japan's position of calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons while relying on America's nuclear umbrella is contradictory and undermines its persuasive power.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 22, 2016

Australian firm names Russia, Putin in MH17 compensation claim: report

An Australian law firm has filed a compensation claim against Russia and President Vladimir Putin at the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of families of victims of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down in 2014, media reported.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 19, 2016

Why the World Humanitarian Summit is vital

At a time when there have never been so many displaced persons since World War II, the international community must strive to ensure that conduct in conflicts complies with international humanitarian law.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 19, 2016

McHenry revels in Golden Kings' legacy

Winning a title to close out the Ryukyu Golden Kings' remarkable stretch of sustained excellence in the bj-league put a huge smile on Golden Kings legend Anthony McHenry's face.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 19, 2016

Sucked into deflation again, Japan's $2 cup noodle binge is sign of the times

Japanese consumers cannot get enough of cup ramen, with spending on them surging by more than a quarter over the past year. That sounds like good news, but for a country still struggling to escape deflation it is a worrying signal.
Japan Times
SPORTS / MAN ABOUT SPORTS
May 17, 2016

Murphy making immediate impact at plate for NL East-leading Nats

Murphy's Law (If anything can go wrong, it will) plagued the Washington Nationals throughout the entire 2015 campaign.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 17, 2016

China's No. 3 official vows to hear Hong Kong autonomy concerns

National People's Congress Chairman Zhang Dejiang vowed to listen to Hong Kong's suggestions regarding its autonomy, as he began the highest-level visit by a state leader since pro-democracy protests paralyzed the city two years ago.
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
May 15, 2016

Mie's revenue hopes dampened by G-7 security barrage, Obama detour

Hopes in Mie Prefecture for tourism growth after the Group of Seven Ise-Shima summit from May 26 to 27 remain high. But with tourists worried about heavy security and U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Hiroshima stealing the spotlight, residents aren't so sure what the situation will be during the...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
May 14, 2016

There's no escape from big data's eye

I am being watched. I am under surveillance. So are you. There are eyes on us, or maybe it's just one eye. Singular or plural, it is/they are ubiquitous, all-seeing. It/they never sleep(s). So much the better, for at least two reasons: 1) We are better protected, and 2) we are better informed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 14, 2016

SoftBank may sell stake in 'Clash of Clans' Finnish game developer Supercell

SoftBank Group Corp. is considering selling its stake in the Finnish gaming company Supercell Oy, according to people familiar with the matter.
ASIA PACIFIC
May 14, 2016

China, Thailand set to hold joint military exercises

China and Thailand will hold joint exercises beginning this month, China's Ministry of Defence said Friday, in another sign of improving relations since the Thai military seized power in 2014.

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