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Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 29, 2014

Gene studies of Ebola in Sierra Leone show virus is mutating fast

Genetic studies of some of the earliest Ebola cases in Sierra Leone reveal more than 300 genetic changes in the virus as it leapt from person to person, changes that could blunt the effectiveness of diagnostic tests and experimental treatments now in development, researchers said on Thursday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 28, 2014

She came, she stole and she conquered

In my family of many brothers, the "Lupin III" animated TV series was the only program we could agree to watch. Once the electric guitar riffs of the Yuji Ohno-penned theme song began, a blissful peace descended on our living room. The fighting stopped and all eyes were glued to the family's beat-up...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 28, 2014

Johansson brings some superhero savoir faire to 'Lucy'

If Scarlett Johansson were to have one superpower, perhaps it would be the ability to master any language possible.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Aug 28, 2014

The great American barbecue comes to town

The end of August is nigh, but that doesn't mean that the hot days are over. Rather than wait for fall inside air-conditioned rooms, why not enjoy the last of the heat at the American Festival 2014.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Aug 28, 2014

Philippine Festival kicks off in Tokyo

In the Philippines, every city and community regularly celebrate local fiestas, and on Aug. 30 and 31, Tokyo, the home of one of Japan's largest Filipino communities, will host its own local festival at Ueno Park. Until last year, this annual festival was known as the Barrio Fiesta and was held in Yokohama's...
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
Aug 28, 2014

Learn about photography

We live in a digital age that has made photography evermore accessible to everyone. The knowledge and skills that once made it a specialist industry are now, to a certain extent, replaced by automated digital means — it only takes the click of a button. Some say digital will never replace analog, but...
JAPAN / Science & Health
Aug 28, 2014

Efforts to replicate STAP cells fall flat

The Riken research institute said Wednesday that ongoing efforts to reproduce so-called STAP cells — whose existence was first claimed by scientist Haruko Obokata in the British journal Nature — have failed.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 28, 2014

Islamist fighters seize Syria crossing near Israel, monitors report

Al-Qaida's Syria wing Nusra Front and other Islamist fighters have taken control of a border crossing on the line dividing Syria from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a group monitoring the Syrian conflict said on Wednesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 27, 2014

The Finishers (Great Days! Yume ni Idonda Chichi to Ko)

Boys can be creatures of sheer wonder. That's the takeaway conviction after watching "Des Toutes Nos Forces (released in English as "The Finishers"). By boys, I mean young (or young at heart) men with pure minds and high ideals, willing to push themselves to the utmost limits to reach a goal that has...
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 27, 2014

Police say rumors of foreign looters in Hiroshima unfounded

The Hiroshima Prefectural Police said Wednesday they had no information to substantiate online rumors that foreigners were burglarizing houses in areas of the city hit hardest by last week's deadly mudslides.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 26, 2014

Egypt, UAE carried out Tripoli air strikes: U.S. officials

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates were responsible for carrying out two series of airstrikes in the past week on armed Islamist factions in Tripoli, U.S. officials said on Monday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 26, 2014

The spawning of Islamic State

It took just two years for Syria to descend into a Somalia-style failed state under the weight of the international jihad against Bashar Assad. This helped the Islamic State not only to flourish but also to use its control over northeastern Syria to stage a surprise blitzkrieg deep into Iraq this summer.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 26, 2014

Jazz artist Emi Meyer teams up with guitarist Seiichi Nagai for a warm, poppy album

Jazz artist Emi Meyer had plenty to be happy about in 2008. She had just self-released her debut album "Curious Creature," she was performing shows around Kyoto and major labels in Tokyo were attempting to woo her. The half-American, half-Japanese Meyer, though, says the situation wasn't so sunny.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 26, 2014

Younger Japanese staying away from stocks despite NISA tax lure

History is working against the Abe administration as it seeks to convince a new generation of investors that equities are the best bet for funding retirement.
WORLD
Aug 26, 2014

Happiness study draws frowns from critics

A high-profile 2013 study that concluded that different kinds of happiness are associated with dramatically different patterns of gene activity is fatally flawed, according to an analysis published on Monday that tore into its target with language rarely seen in science journals.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 26, 2014

Ebola fight needs $430 million to end outbreak: WHO

More than $430 million will be needed to bring the worst Ebola outbreak on record under control, according to a draft document laying out the World Health Organization's battle strategy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Aug 25, 2014

Use them or lose them: There's more at stake than language in reviving Ryukyuan tongues

With the last speakers of the Ryukyuan languages dying out, an identity is vanishing too.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 25, 2014

Tourism emerges as new economic driver for Japan

With its contribution now rivaling that of the auto industry in at least one estimate, tourism is fast becoming a key focus of Japan's economic policy.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Aug 25, 2014

Five arrested in Macau over unofficial democracy poll

Police in Macau detained five people involved in staging an unofficial referendum on democracy in the southern Chinese territory, organizers said, nearly two months after activists angered Beijing by conducting a similar poll in Hong Kong.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Aug 24, 2014

I want you: A dog named Abbey

Though Abbey can be rather intimidating due to her low, husky voice and size, people with a bit of experience with big dogs will soon see that she's really just a big softie.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Aug 23, 2014

Philippine police smash online child 'sextortion' ring

Philippine police have arrested eight people suspected of running an online sexual extortion racket involving children and preying on Asians, seizing laptops and other equipment.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Aug 22, 2014

Comiket grows stronger each year

Held twice a year and famous among otaku (fanboys and fangirls) the world over, Comiket, short for Comic Market, held its 86th event Aug. 15-17 at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. With more than 550,000 people reportedly attending the event over the three days, Comiket has grown significantly since its early...
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2014

Was U.S. ransom policy a factor in Foley's death?

Hostage-taking by extremist groups is now so pervasive that at least one major aid organization has stopped sending U.S. workers to areas where they might be abducted. Instead, they are sending citizens from European countries — with governments that will pay ransoms.

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