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JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Feb 15, 2009

The recession will lead to a downturn in media quality

Every day there is more gloomy news about a major manufacturer or retailer or service company cutting jobs — and not just a few dozen here or there, but thousands, tens of thousands. No one gets out alive, except self-made billionaires and McDonald's, which is doing quite well, apparently. People will...
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Feb 15, 2009

Historical fact and fiction from 'Mito Komon,' Tokugawa Mitsukuni special and 'Hissatsu Shigotonin'

The long-running historical drama series "Mito Komon" (TBS, Mon., 8 p.m.) is about an itinerant nobleman who travels the land incognito with a retinue of followers, righting wrongs and giving exploiters and other bad guys their just desserts. It is thus a good means for regions to promote themselves...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Feb 15, 2009

Rebuilding sacred secrets of ancient Omi Province

Tourists might be attracted by Japanese temples and their gardens, but have you ever thought what it takes to preserve their timeless beauty?
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Feb 13, 2009

The old ones are the best

More than three years ago, theater director Sho Ryuzanji launched Paradise Ichiza, a professional company whose cast was comprised of veteran dramatists who had only ever before been involved off stage, as theater owners, lighting specialists, voice actors, directors or in academia. When Ryuzani, 61,...
JAPAN
Feb 13, 2009

Pandemic plan calls for mass cremations

Japan's plan for any future influenza pandemic calls for shutting down airports, closing schools and organizing mass cremations of the dead in hopes of keeping the virus off its shores or at least containing it.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 13, 2009

'Heaven's Door'/'Lost Girl'

Youth, illness and love are the basic ingredients of many a movie, especially in Japan, where romantic dramas about dying teenagers are about as common as convenience stores.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 12, 2009

Japan as the catalyst for improving global public health

What place should Japan occupy in the world? This existential question has troubled Japan's leaders for the past two decades. Military leadership is restricted by the Constitution. Economic might has lost its glimmer. Cultural influence, epitomized by "cool Japan," has yet to take center stage.
SOCCER / World cup
Feb 11, 2009

Verbeek believes pressure is on Japan in Group A qualifier

YOKOHAMA — Australia manager Pim Verbeek has shrugged off suggestions his players won't be ready in time for Wednesday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Japan, insisting the pressure is all on Takeshi Okada's side.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 10, 2009

Kojima makes mark as Bucs cheerleader

There have been many Japanese-born cheerleaders in the NFL. But Tomoko Kojima has arguably reached the highest point among them, mainly because she's been there longer than anyone and has truly been accepted as a core member.
Japan Times
Events / WHERE IT'S AT
Feb 10, 2009

Talking around and about art

Trying to understand contemporary art is difficult in the best of times. It is sometimes abstract, obscure or just plain odd. The question of how to enjoy an exhibit is made all the harder to answer if you're in Tokyo and your artistic attachments aren't matched by your Japanese language skills. Japan...
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Feb 8, 2009

City ecology explains Japan's low birthrate

Last week, a 33-year-old woman in California made headlines around the world when she gave birth to eight babies. She had been on fertility treatment and, it emerged, already had six children.
LIFE / Travel / FREEWHEELIN' ACROSS JAPAN
Feb 8, 2009

Storming the keep of Himeji Castle

"What are your three favorite things about Himeji Castle," I ask my guide, Ayumi Miyazaki, an elegant middle-aged lady, as we slurp down tempura soba in the dungeons of Himeji Station in Hyogo Prefecture, prior to walking the 15 minutes up the main drag to the town's famous fortress.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / FREEWHEELIN' ACROSS JAPAN
Feb 8, 2009

Storming the keep of Himeji Castle

"What are your three favorite things about Himeji Castle," I ask my guide, Ayumi Miyazaki, an elegant middle-aged lady, as we slurp down tempura soba in the dungeons of Himeji Station in Hyogo Prefecture, prior to walking the 15 minutes up the main drag to the town's famous fortress.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Feb 7, 2009

Stripped of stereotypes

If you ever have the chance to meet Lu Nagata, you will never forget her style and determination.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Feb 6, 2009

Restaurant toasts Shaoxing wine

Ryutenmon Chinese restaurant at the Westin Hotel Tokyo is releasing more of its original Shaoxing Chinese rice wine and holding a commemorative gala dinner Feb. 18 and 22 to mark the event.
Japan Times
Events / WHERE IT'S AT
Feb 3, 2009

Yokohama Chinatown lions roar in new year

With the beating of drums, the clang of cymbals and the popping of firecrackers, Yokohama's Chinatown welcomed in the new year, with festivities reaching a peak on Chinese New Year's, Jan. 26.
EDITORIALS
Feb 1, 2009

The Macintosh at 25

Twenty-five years ago, Apple unveiled the Macintosh computer, a machine that would change the world. The Macintosh transformed the encounter between the computer and its user, making it easier for the ordinary person to understand and control the computing process.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Feb 1, 2009

Pet vet mystery, 'character' wear on youth fashion show, post-war cop drama

Pet lovers get their turn in the suspense drama spotlight in "Dobutsu Byoin: Ayako no Jiken Karute" ("Animal Clinic: Ayako's Case Charts") (TV Tokyo, Wednesday, 9 p.m.). Veterinarian Ayako (Yasuko Sawaguchi) works at the Enoki Animal Clinic. One day she sees Tokie, the owner of one of her former patients,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 30, 2009

'Dare mo Mamotte Kurenai'

The popular media maw, from the Brit tabloids to the Hollywood paparazzi, chews up its subjects, from celebs to criminals, everywhere, anytime. If you're at the receiving end, it's probably an awful experience. Nonetheless, there's something special about the voracity of the Japanese media, with its...
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Jan 30, 2009

MVP St. Preux never gave up hoop dreams

BEPPU, Oita Pref. — Contrasting images fill my head as I sit down to write this. Bouncing basketballs heard after endless hours in the gym and the pleasant silence of the local onsen (hot springs) clash for control. No problem. I'm relaxed.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years