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JAPAN
Mar 29, 2019

Probe reveals 759 cases of suspected abuse and 171 deaths of foreign trainees in Japan

The Justice Ministry's probe into the Technical Intern Training Program confirms growing concerns about a link between the trainees' working conditions and their growing disappearances from companies.
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 29, 2019

Censorship pays: the Chinese Communist Party's newspaper expands lucrative online scrubbing business

People.cn, the online unit of China's influential People's Daily, is boosting its numbers of human internet censors backed by artificial intelligence to help firms vet content on apps and ads, capitalizing on its unmatched Communist Party lineage.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 26, 2019

U.K. lawmakers vote to take wheel of sinking Brexit ship — but just for one day

In a highly unusual bid to find a way through the Brexit impasse after Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal was rejected again, U.K. lawmakers wrested control of the parliamentary agenda Monday from the government — for just one day.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 25, 2019

Cybozu chief Yoshihisa Aono loses lawsuit at Tokyo court over right to use premarital name

A Tokyo court on Monday upheld a national law that forces couples to use the same surname upon marriage, rejecting claims over its unconstitutionality.
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2019

Justice Ministry overturns deportation order for gay Taiwanese man without visa

The case is said to be the first in which an overstayer has received special permission to stay due to a relationship with a Japanese partner of the same sex.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 20, 2019

How media discourages Japan's youth from traveling abroad

The nation's best-selling travel guide tends to heavily stress crime and danger in other countries.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Mar 18, 2019

Activists in Hong Kong and Taiwan feel heat as China fears 'separatist' collusion

As Beijing grows wary of pro-independence groups seeking to forge closer ties in Hong Kong and Taiwan, activists say they are coming under increased surveillance and harassment from pro-China media outlets and unofficial "operatives."
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Mar 15, 2019

As population declines, Fukushima Prefecture to lose 15 of its 96 high schools

The Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education will reduce its number of prefecture-run high schools by 15 by the end of fiscal 2023 as the region continues to struggle with a dwindling number of students due to a declining birthrate.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Mar 14, 2019

Rookie guard Yuta Okada is shining bright for SeaHorses

As the regular season winds down, SeaHorses Mikawa rookie guard Yuta Okada continues to demonstrate impressive skills and an exciting all-around game.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 1, 2019

For Japan, 'no deal' at Kim-Trump summit beats a bad deal with concessions to nuclear North Korea

At a glance, this week's Kim-Trump summit meeting in Hanoi, held to foster progress toward the denuclearization of North Korea, generated few tangible victories — despite U.S. President Donald Trump's boasts of the "tremendous" achievements he had expected.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 1, 2019

SDF draws fire for recruitment poster featuring female anime characters in skimpy costumes

A Self-Defense Forces recruitment office in Shiga Prefecture has caused a stir by releasing a poster that features female anime characters wearing super-short skirts, which expose what appear to be underwear. Some people have described the image as a form of sexual harassment.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Feb 23, 2019

FIFA bans Chelsea from signing players for a year over violations

Just hours after Chelsea win in the Europa league earned its under-fire ex-banker coach Maurizio Sarri some breathing space, the club owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was handed another blow: A ban on signing new players.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 23, 2019

Abe becomes prime minister with fourth-longest total tenure

Abe's tenure, including his 12-month first term to September 2007, has reached 2,617 days, surpassing Shigeru Yoshida's total of 2,616 days between 1946 and 1954.
Special Supplements / The Emperor’s 30-year Anniversary
Feb 22, 2019

Exercising goodwill in symbolic role

Emperor Akihito marked the 30th year of his reign on Jan. 7, and the government will be holding a ceremony on Sunday to celebrate this milestone. On April 30, after three decades on the throne, the Emperor will be the first living Japanese monarch in about 200 years to step down.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Okinawa
Feb 17, 2019

Okinawan fishermen reel in two live oarfish, eat portion of one

Two rare deep-sea oarfish caught in fixed nets off Toya port on the southwest side of Okinawa stunned the local fishing community last month for simply being alive.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 17, 2019

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga to announce Japan's new era name on April 1

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga is set to announce Japan's new era name on April 1, government officials said Saturday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 8, 2019

The best diet for the planet isn't the best for humans

If you listened to Mother Earth, you'd probably eat more corn and soy than nutritionists suggest.
Reader Mail
Feb 1, 2019

Tattoos don't belong in onsen

The Media Mix column headlined "News outlets tiptoe around tattoo controversy" in the Jan. 13 edition reminds me of the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." That holds true in Japanese society.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 25, 2019

Prominent gay congressman flees Brazil, citing death threats

A prominent gay congressman in Brazil announced on Thursday that he was leaving his job and fleeing the country because of increased death threats made against him.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2019

Rudy Giuliani compounds Trump's Russia woes with conflicting interviews

A lawyer's job is to make a client look innocent, if not to prove it — something President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has been struggling with in recent days.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 22, 2019

Despite Brexit, I'm still proud to be a Brit

Britain can take real pride that a messy, fraught, passionate struggle over a fundamental principle of democratic and civic life is taking place within it.
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 11, 2019

In 2019, how hungry is Japan for whale meat?

Japan is currently the object of criticism for its decision to leave the International Whaling Commission, and resume commercial whaling in territorial waters and its own exclusive economic zone. People who support the move cite either cultural reasons — Japan traditionally, they assert, is a whale-eating...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 11, 2019

Japan an underdeveloped country for women

Despite its rich, industrialized economy, Japan has yet to achieve much progress in equality between men and women.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 8, 2019

The toxic influence of Japan's rural political interest groups

It's time to reduce the political power of Japan's dwindling rural, primary-sector interests.
Reader Mail
Jan 4, 2019

The significance of a farm stay

The article "Away from it all: More tourists shun hot spots for taste of the country life" in the Dec. 27 edition prompted me to ponder the unique meaning of a farm stay.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Dec 28, 2018

Hoop pioneer Wat Misaka reflects on breaking barriers in an incredible life

Wataru "Wat" Misaka never demanded the spotlight nor shouted from the roof tops seeking attention.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Dec 20, 2018

2018 was a busy year for gamers in Japan, with established franchises and open world epics reigning supreme

Many gamers began 2018 by teaming up with a garishly outfitted cat and rushing into battle against a big, angry monster. Some of those same people will usher out the year by punching Nintendo icon Mario in his famously mustachioed face.
EDITORIALS
Dec 16, 2018

Questions over Daijosai rite arise again

It's vital that detailed public discussions be held on the constitutionality of using government money to hold religious rites.

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