Search - japan-highlights

 
 
CULTURE / Books
Oct 21, 2001

In the realm of crime, torture and depravity

THE DARK SIDE: Infamous Japanese Crimes and Criminals, by Mark Schreiber. Kodansha International, 2001, 251 pp., 2,700 yen (cloth) It's unfortunate but true that the names of notorious criminals usually outlive those of their victims. We remember Jack the Ripper, not the London prostitutes he butchered....
CULTURE / Art
Aug 15, 2001

A 'subversive' finally brought in from the cold

In 1953, Kansuke Yamamoto wrote: "The surreal exists within the real. Tireless experimentation with new photography leads to the creation of a new beauty."
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 18, 2001

Lasorda not doggin' it in Osaka

Tommy Lasorda gets around. On Sunday, July 8, the 73-year-old former Los Angeles Dodgers manager was at the Osaka Dome, "producing" an American ballpark event for the Kintetsu Buffaloes, wolfing down some Dodger Dogs and doing a TV interview. Two days later, "Tumblin' Tommy" was coaching third base for...
LIFE / Lifestyle / JET STREAM
Jun 22, 2001

Surviving to write about the JET program

When Englishman David Chandler arrived in Japan in 1995 he never imagined he'd publish an award-winning book. Neither did he foresee that one day he would be sitting in the office of Japan's prime minister discussing his JET experience.
COMMENTARY
May 14, 2001

Signs of creative destruction

Japan today needs what the economist Joseph A. Schumpeter once called "creative destruction." The immediate need is to shake up the political and economic systems from the ground up. Without such drastic changes Japan will not be able to regain vitality.
LIFE / Food & Drink / WINE WAYS
Mar 8, 2001

Rendezvous at Foodex

Japan's wine world is once again gearing up for the biggest event of the year: Foodex Japan 2001, the massive annual international food and drinks event to be held March 13-16 in the sprawling halls of the Nippon Convention Center (Makuhari Messe). The 26th Foodex Japan will be the most spectacular one...
CULTURE / Books
Jan 8, 2001

Revisionists open a front in China

NORTH CHINA AND JAPANESE EXPANSION, 1933-1937: Regional Power and the National Interest, by Marjorie Dryburgh. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon, 2000, 249 pp., 50 pounds (cloth). China is not only the world's most populous nation, but it is also one of the largest. In territorial reach, Russia and Canada alone...
JAPAN
Nov 25, 2000

StarLink find sparks consumer fears, import chaos

The discovery of StarLink genetically modified corn in food for human consumption in Japan has caused concern among Japanese food and grain importers and aroused fears among consumers about food safety.
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Oct 23, 2000

Clock tolls for environmental action

Mika Suzuki may not be a professional designer, but her keen eye and concern about the environment recently won her the top prize in a Tokyo eco-design contest.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Aug 13, 2000

David A. Quarmby

LONDON -- People generally agree that the weather is not a selling point for tourism in Britain. Sport is. The summer calendar here highlights the dates of Ascot racing, Wimbledon tennis, cricket at Lord's, golf, rowing, athletics. These popular events draw crowds of supporters growing ever more enthusiastic...
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2000

Groups hit G8 inaction on illegal logging

As the Group of Eight major nations kick off three days of summit meetings in Okinawa today, environmentalists are mounting an effort to steal a slice of the limelight.
CULTURE / Music / MUSIC NOMAD
Jun 13, 2000

Beyond the Buena Vista Social Club

Ever felt you missed out on an opportunity? When working as a talent scout for a record company in the U.K., I once stumbled upon U2 in the band's infancy. Somehow negotiations never got started and they were soon snapped up elsewhere. After that, in U2's words, I never did find what I was looking for....
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 10, 2000

Why Japanese voters reject politics

Political stagnation and a feeling of powerlessness are often cited among the reasons that Japanese hate politics.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
May 21, 2000

Bun-chan's pitching reminiscent of Bross

The pitching of Chunichi Dragons right-hander Mel Bunch during the first six weeks of this season reminds me of the way Terry Bross was throwing for the Yakult Swallows during the second half of 1995. If you were here then, you may recall Bross, also in his first year in Japan, posted a 5-5 record through...
JAPAN
May 10, 2000

Report focuses on NGOs, missile threat

The government will step up its efforts to build partnerships with nongovernmental organizations and other groups to meet emerging diplomatic challenges, according to the Foreign Ministry's annual foreign policy report released Tuesday.
CULTURE / Art
Apr 26, 2000

The home of Japanese porcelain

Arita is a fine spot for porcelain pots -- and cups, vases, buttons, wall sockets and even denture-holders. Need a cartwheel-sized ashtray (useful at Japanese banquets), or a 1.8-meter-high urn to brighten up a castle somewhere? You'll find them in all shapes, sizes and colors in this peaceful town,...
CULTURE / Art
Apr 23, 2000

Neo-Japonisme takes stage

One of the highlights of the Golden Week holiday this year is the Philip Morris Art Award 2000 Exhibition, on display April 24-May 7 at Yebisu Garden Place. The show presents a refreshingly diverse grouping of 100 contemporary works of art including paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and installations,...
ENVIRONMENT
Mar 27, 2000

World's forests cut to feed voracious Japanese industry

For those who suffer from cedar pollen allergies, these dry, sunny days of spring are sheer torture. After Finland and Sweden, Japan has the most forest cover in the world: 67 percent. My itchy eyes tell me 98 percent of those trees must be cedar.
CULTURE / Music / MUSIC NOMAD
Dec 28, 1999

Flying first class around the globe

Since this is my last column of the year, I'll look back instead of forward.
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Jun 30, 1999

Let's digital

Let's digital. That's the message in the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications 1999 White Paper on Communications in Japan. The annual survey, released earlier this month, reveals a nation poised for the millennium, its finger firmly on the mouse, clicking its way into the 21st century
JAPAN
Apr 23, 1999

Blue book notes '98 foreign policy 'unique'

In response to a variety of threats to international peace and security, Japan last year carried out foreign policies characterized by top-level initiatives, according to the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic blue book for 1999 released Friday.
EDITORIALS
Feb 4, 1999

Still waiting for a real defense debate

The debate in the current Diet session, unlike previous sessions that focused on economic problems, highlights security issues. Among the key subjects of discussion are the bills to implement the new guidelines for Japan-U.S. defense cooperation and the participation and cooperation of the Self-Defense...
JAPAN
Apr 17, 1998

MITI chides trade partners with dubious practices list

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry on Friday released a list of eight "major concerns" with big trade partners that will affect MITI's future trade policies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jun 22, 2023

Why ASEAN is key to building order in the Indo-Pacific region

Southeast Asia’s geostrategic position is clearly important, and gaining the support of the bloc's 10 members can create significant advantages for major players.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 27, 2023

100 miles around Mount Fuji on 'Asia's most important' race

The Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji ultramarathon isn't just Japan's most prestigious trail running competition — it might one day be the world's biggest.
MORE SPORTS
May 26, 2023

Horses and jockeys gear up for Tokyo Yushun’s 90th run

Modeled on the famous race founded in England in 1780 by the 12th Earl of Derby Edward Smith-Stanley, the Japanese Derby, or Tokyo Yushun by its Japanese name, might not be able to boast such a long history. However, as is often the case with many things in Japan, it’s been able to grow in prestige...
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Hiroshima G7 Summit Special
May 19, 2023

Seto Inland Sea area boasts lush nature, bustling cities, cultural heritage

The area surrounding the Seto Inland Sea, Japan’s largest inland body of water, constitutes the Setouchi area, represented by the cities of Hiroshima, where the G7 Summit will be held, Okayama, Matsuyama and Takamatsu. Spanning the prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Ehime and Kagawa, respectively,...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Apr 27, 2023

It's time for the U.S. to rediscover its role in the G7

While President Joe Biden should be strengthening his country's relations with its allies and partners, he is instead struggling to balance foreign and domestic policy priorities.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 31, 2023

Black Country, New Road ramps up the theatrics

Riding high on its triumphant Fuji Rock debut last summer, the British art-rock band returns to the country for its first Japan tour.

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes