Search - 2018

 
 
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2019 in Review
Dec 26, 2019

The dawn of a new era and a change in J-pop

2019 brought changes to Japan's pop scene, including established acts finally embracing the internet as a way of reaching fans
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Dec 23, 2019

Kazuhisa Ishii making moves during busy offseason for Rakuten

Kazuhisa Ishii did not become the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' general manger in 2018 to just sit back and be idle.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Dec 23, 2019

After gay marriage law passes, Taiwan emerges as new market for LGBT+ surrogacy

On Geoffrey Li's 40th birthday last year, he put aside his dream of an early retirement on an idyllic island and instead decided to raise a child in Taiwan using a surrogate in Southeast Asia.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 22, 2019

SDF tests public support with next mission in Middle East

The Cabinet is expected to approve a Self-Defense Forces mission to the Middle East that will comprise a destroyer, patrol planes and 250 personnel as part of an intelligence-gathering operation.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 20, 2019

'Obamacare' ruling likely to haunt Trump in 2020

While the eyes of America were on the House vote to impeach President Donald Trump, a court ruling to leave the fate of the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," up in the air may be a bigger risk to his 2020 re-election hopes.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 20, 2019

Toshiba digs in heels after Hoya's unsolicited bid for technology unit

Just days after Hoya Corp. made a hostile takeover bid for one of Toshiba Corp.'s publicly traded units — an extremely rare move in Japan — the industrial giant is responding with equally unusual bluntness.
EDITORIALS
Dec 19, 2019

What lies behind Japan's dismal gender gap?

As long as policy measures to empower women remain non-binding, the situation surrounding women will only improve slowly in this male-dominated society.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 18, 2019

Asahi Breweries to stop disclosing sales volume data amid strengthening competition for top spot

Asahi Breweries Ltd. says it will stop releasing sales volume data for its beer and quasi-beer products this month, switching in January to the disclosure of the value of sales.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / 2019 in Review,2019 in Review
Dec 18, 2019

Future design in Japan: Recycle, upcycle and reinvent

The focus on traditional artisanship is still strong, as is the global obsession with minimalism, but what about sustainability and ethical consumption?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2019

RCEP without India isn't to Japan's liking

In Japan's view, India's participation in the RCEP is crucial to prevent it from becoming a China-led trade block.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 17, 2019

U.S. rejects sanctions relief for North Korea as Trump says he will 'take care of' Pyongyang's plans

The U.S. has knocked back a call to ease sanctions on North Korea despite threats of further provocations, with President Donald Trump saying he would "take care of" any threats the regime had in the works.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 15, 2019

Henoko dispute between Okinawa and Japan's central government seen further intensifying

While Saturday marked the first anniversary of the start of landfill work Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki blasted the Abe administration's “illegal” landfill work, calling it “an act of trampling on democracy.”
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 15, 2019

Could merger talks finally produce a credible opposition force in Japan?

With the close of the extraordinary Diet session on Dec. 9, some of the largest opposition parties once again entered talks about merging before year's end, with an eye toward increasing their seats in the next general election. Here's a look at the talks and what they might mean for Japan's political...
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 14, 2019

Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon climbed more than 100% in November year-on-year: government agency

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon jumped to the highest level for the month of November since record-keeping began in 2015, according to preliminary government data published on Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 13, 2019

'Post-chemical world' takes shape as agribusiness goes green

Agribusiness is increasingly turning to natural and sustainable alternatives to chemicals as consumers rebuff genetically modified foods and concerns grow over Big Ag's role in climate change.
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2019

The nation's falling number of newborns

Fewer newborns means the nation's population will be aging and declining faster.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 11, 2019

Homeless Santa? Banksy reindeer mural goes viral amid rough sleeping crisis

A mural by anonymous British street artist Banksy depicting a homeless man being pulled by two reindeer has gone viral on social media, as the number of homeless deaths in the country hit a new high last year.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Dec 11, 2019

U.S. government asks judge to grant probation to ex-Trump campaign deputy Richard Gates

Federal prosecutors asked a judge on Tuesday to grant probation to President Donald Trump's former deputy campaign chairman, Richard Gates, when he is sentenced next week, pointing to Gates' extensive cooperation in multiple criminal investigations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 10, 2019

Amazon cites Trump bias at 'enemy' Jeff Bezos in Pentagon cloud deal loss

Amazon.com Inc. claims the Pentagon failed to fairly judge its bid for a cloud contract worth up to $10 billion because President Donald Trump viewed company founder Jeffrey Bezos as his "political enemy."
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 9, 2019

Traffic and transportation strategies for the 2020 Games

Innovative traffic and transportation management strategies are being developed to handle the surge in travelers and traffic during the games and the various trial events.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Dec 8, 2019

Handful of players from 'Matsuzaka Generation' still holding on

Daisuke Matsuzaka returned home on Wednesday, solidifying a deal to spend his 20th season in pro baseball with the Saitama Seibu Lions, the club he spent Year 1 with back in 1999.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 7, 2019

News outlets take time to connect the dots in Kepco gift scandal

In September, media reported that 20 executives of Kansai Electric Power Co. (Kepco) had, for a decade or so, received almost ¥320 million worth of cash and gifts from Eiji Moriyama, the former deputy mayor of Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, who died in March at the age of 90. The compensation was presumably...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Dec 5, 2019

Wat Misaka leaves an admirable legacy

When Wataru "Wat" Misaka passed away on Nov. 20, he left an indelible legacy on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. He showed what was possible for someone who looked like he did on the basketball court. And to his eternal credit, he reached the highest level.
Japan Times
Finland report 2019
Dec 5, 2019

Handmade chocolate with Nordic berries and wild Arctic flavors acclaimed in Asia

Starting its business in 2018 producing chocolate tablets, Taiga Chocolate Oy evolved into a company that focuses on the production of a line of uniquely flavored dark chocolates, such as lingonberry, bilberry and sea buckthorn to cater to the growing demand of international consumers.

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