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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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 3, 2018

China partly censors U.S. Embassy statement on trade truce

A social media post by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing about the trade agreement between the two nations was being partially censored Monday, with the WeChat article visible but blocked from forwarding or sharing.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Dec 1, 2018

Carlos Ghosn's arrest is more about Japanese criminal justice than corporate governance

A 'hostage-based' criminal justice system, second arrests and trial by public all play a part in a case that the world is watching.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Nov 29, 2018

'An Enemy of the People': The not-so-silent majority speaks out again

In one bound, the rising English director Jonathan Munby found himself in the spotlight of Britain's theater scene in 2017 when his smash-hit production of "King Lear," with Sir Ian McKellen in the title role, transferred straight from the rural Chichester Festival Theatre to the West End.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 26, 2018

The Protestant ethic and Carlos Ghosn

For many in Tokyo, the news about Carlos Ghosn was a shock but not a surprise.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 5, 2018

Saudis sent 'cleanup' team to Turkey after Khashoggi killing, Turkish official says

Saudi Arabia sent a two-man "cleanup team" to erase evidence of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing a week after he disappeared at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, a Turkish official said Monday, calling it a sign that top Saudi officials knew of the crime.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language
Nov 5, 2018

Johnny Depp to play American photographer in 'Minamata'

Popular American actor Johnny Depp will play the lead role of Eugene Smith in the movie 'Minamata' (original title), which depicts the life of the master photographer who reported on Minamata disease to the world, and whose death 40 years ago is being commemorated this year.

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