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Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 29, 2019

Trump's basho visit boosts sumo's reputation overseas

U.S. President Donald Trump's attendance at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, and presentation of a large trophy to its winner, made headlines around the globe.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 29, 2019

EU leaders agree to pick new 'Mr. or Ms. Europe' next month

European Union leaders engaged in a first skirmish Tuesday over who should become the next chief of the European Commission, giving themselves a short deadline to agree on the bloc's top jobs and a target of assigning half of them to women.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 28, 2019

Ball in U.S. court to start trade talks, top EU commissioner says

EU-U.S. talks that could prevent the United States imposing punitive car tariffs have made some progress, but Washington must decide if it wants to negotiate with Brussels on a broad removal of import duties, the EU trade chief said on Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
May 27, 2019

Why Joe Biden is the least electable Democrat

Only one thing can defeat Trump: A unified, enthusiastic and progressive front.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 27, 2019

North Korea calls Bolton 'warmonger' and says halting missile tests means giving up right to self-defense

North Korea has labeled U.S. national security adviser John Bolton a "warmonger" for saying that recent missile tests by the nuclear-armed country had violated U.N. sanctions, adding that giving up the test-firings would amount to relinquishing their right to self-defense, state-run media quoted the...
ASIA PACIFIC
May 27, 2019

Amid China tensions, Taiwan and U.S. security officials hold rare meeting

Senior national security officials from the United States and Taiwan have met to deepen cooperation, the government in Taipei said, the first such meeting in four decades that came amid tense relations between the U.S. and China.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
May 27, 2019

Sarah Sanders says William Barr will get to bottom of FBI and Justice 'corruption'

Attorney General William Barr is likely to consult with the intelligence community on how best to handle classified material related to the Russian investigation as he seeks out "corruption at the FBI and the DOJ," the top White House spokeswoman said.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 27, 2019

Syria regime steps up airstrikes in northwest and seizes small town

Syrian government forces pounded positions in the northwest of the country on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, in the heaviest day of air strikes since launching a major campaign against the rebel-held territory nearly four weeks ago.
JAPAN / Politics
May 26, 2019

Sumo diplomacy as Abe courts Trump, but U.S. leader's tweets may have left Tokyo unnerved

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's bromance gets stronger but the president's U.S. president's tweets on Twitter — focusing on trade and North Korea — may have unnerved Abe.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 25, 2019

Trump knocks trade advantage while urging Japanese business leaders to increase investments in U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Japanese business leaders to increase their investment in the United States while saying Japan has a substantial edge on trade that negotiators are trying to even out.
Japan Times
TENNIS
May 25, 2019

Clay a big challenge for Naomi Osaka

It's been 10 months since a woman other than Naomi Osaka hoisted a Grand Slam singles trophy, but if the star is to make it three majors in a row she's going to have to do something she hasn't done at any level as a professional: succeed on clay.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 25, 2019

The downfall of Theresa May, the prime minister broken by Brexit

At 10:11 a.m., a devastated Theresa May walked back in through the black door of No. 10 Downing St., tears in her eyes. Once inside she found her husband, Philip, and the couple went through to the prime minister's private study together for a few moments alone.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 25, 2019

Defying Congress, Trump OKs $8 billion-plus in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan

U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring a national emergency because of tensions with Iran, swept aside objections from Congress on Friday to complete the sale of over $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 24, 2019

North Korea vows 'fiercer' response, end to nuclear talks if U.S. continues 'hostile acts'

North Korea said Friday that nuclear talks with the United States "will never be resumed" unless Washington halts what Pyongyang said were "hostile acts" and demands of "unilateral disarmament," warning of a "fiercer" response if this continues.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2019

Sumo superfan to skip basho finale, saying tight security for Trump is an unwelcome distraction

When U.S. President Donald Trump arrives with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take in live sumo wrestling on Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, security will be beefed up to its highest level — with bodyguards even on alert to protect the president from flying cushions tossed by excited fans, according...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
May 24, 2019

Mario Kart Tour could be the monster mobile hit that Japan gaming giant Nintendo needs

More than four years after a much-ballyhooed entry into mobile gaming, industry giant Nintendo Co. remains bereft of a monster smartphone hit. But the wait may finally be over.
JAPAN / Politics / Commentary
May 24, 2019

As a rare ally on good terms with Trump, Japan has the chance to raise its global standing

Japan has established itself as the single most important ally for the U.S. in the region — and arguably in the world.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 24, 2019

Indonesian opposition set to challenge election result in court

Defeated Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is set to lodge a challenge to the result of the April 17 election in the Constitutional Court on Friday after complaining that the vote was rigged.
Reader Mail
May 24, 2019

Scholarships will pay off in the future

I sometimes see news articles about people having to work a long time to pay off their student loans. According to the Japan Student Services Organization, about 1.32 million students have a total of more than ¥1 trillion in outstanding loans. I also have taken out a student loan because I am in a fatherless...
BUSINESS / Companies
May 23, 2019

Ghosn's first full trial unlikely to convene until next spring, his lawyers say

Attorney Junichiro Hironaka revealed Carlos Ghosn's defense team would ask the court later in the day to grant a meeting with his wife, Carole Ghosn.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 22, 2019

Short Shorts 2019: Short on time, but never short on creativity

Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, whose 21st edition takes place from May 29 to June 16 at venues around Tokyo, is one of the largest festivals of its type in Asia. And, starting this year, four winners of its competitions will be eligible for an Academy Award in the short film category, up from just...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 22, 2019

British Steel to be placed into administration, threatening thousands of jobs, report says

British Steel, the country's second-largest steel producer, will be placed into administration as early as Wednesday, Sky News reported, jeopardizing some 25,000 jobs.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 22, 2019

Taiwan's balloon 'Tank Man' marks run-up to 30th anniversary of Tiananmen crackdown

A Taiwanese artist has created giant inflatables of a tank and "Tank Man" — the lone protester who stood in front of a convoy of tanks on Beijing's Tiananmen Square — to mark 30 years since China's bloody crackdown on the pro-democracy movement. The photograph of a man in a white shirt standing in...

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight