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COMMENTARY / Japan
May 27, 2014

Taking aim at Japan's gender problem

Media coverage of the rise and fall of Japanese scientist Haruko Obokata illustrates the problem with the third arrow of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policy — and its otherwise laudable goal of expanding the participation of women in positions of power.
EDITORIALS
May 25, 2014

China and Russia strike a deal

The $400 billion deal that China signed with Russia for natural gas has caused Western handwringing as expected, but a broader view suggests that Beijing has other interests that may outweigh this partnership.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 29, 2014

Putin's sanctioned oil czar emerged from shadows to wield vast power

When Vladimir Putin brought Igor Sechin out of the shadows and into the Kremlin 14 years ago, Russian newspapers said they had no photographs of him and alluded to his behind-the-scenes influence by calling him Darth Vadar.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 26, 2014

'Granta' opens a window into Japanese literature

With such a piddling amount of Japanese fiction finding its way into English translation each year, you learn to make the most of what you can get. So when this year's Tokyo International Literary Festival marked the launch of not one, but two compendia of Japan-related writing, it felt like an embarrassment of riches. In addition to the latest issue of 'Monkey Business,' the annual journal edited by veteran translators Motoyuki Shibata and Ted Goossen, the festival welcomed the arrival of a Japan-themed issue of the British quarterly, 'Granta,' released simultaneously in English and Japanese.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 24, 2014

China chlorine suspected in new Syrian gas attacks

China's Foreign Ministry said it is investigating reports that a chlorine canister bearing the name of the country's biggest arms maker was shown in footage believed to document a gas attack in Syria this month.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Apr 18, 2014

Weibo's Nasdaq debut highlights Chinese censorship

Weibo Corp. executives on Thursday toasted the Chinese social media firm's debut at Nasdaq's New York headquarters.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Apr 9, 2014

Foreign workers fear exploitation as Olympic projects gather steam

My first Labor Pains column of the new fiscal year will look at the government's recent proposal for bringing in foreign workers.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 28, 2014

Search for lost Malaysian jet shifts significantly after new lead

An international air and sea task force hunting for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 was re-directed on Friday to an area 1,100 kilometers (685 miles) north of where they have been searching for more than a week, after Australian authorities received new radar information from Malaysia....
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 18, 2014

Planning could hold key to disappearance of Flight MH370

Whoever clicked off a transponder to make Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappear into a navigational and technical black hole acted only after meticulous planning, aviation experts say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 13, 2014

U.N. details how North sidestepping sanctions

North Korea has developed sophisticated ways to circumvent United Nations sanctions, including the suspected use of its embassies to facilitate an illegal trade in weapons, a United Nations report issued Tuesday said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 9, 2014

Crimea crisis leaves Ukraine troops in limbo

The two Ural trucks, full of troops, arrived under cover of darkness and a thick blanket of fog at the Ukrainian missile defense base outside Sevastopol late Friday night, and rammed their way through the gates. Once inside, the Russian troops fanned out and screamed that they would shoot to kill if...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 9, 2014

Missing Malaysia Airlines jet mystery deepens with stolen passports

Oil slicks signaled that a missing Malaysia Airlines jet may have crashed in the Gulf of Thailand even as the mystery surrounding the plane deepened with the discovery that two passengers used stolen passports.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 25, 2014

In defiance of U.N., Iraq 'inks deal to buy arms' from Iran

Iran has signed a deal to sell Iraq arms and ammunition worth $195 million, according to documents seen by Reuters — a move that will break a U.N. embargo on weapons sales by Tehran.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 9, 2014

LDP drops past campaign pledge to 'never wage a war'

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party removes a pledge that Japan will 'never wage a war' from the final draft of its campaign platform for this year.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 28, 2013

In memoriam: Those we lost in 2013

2013 saw the loss of a number of personalities who stood at the top of their respective fields. As the year quietly draws to a close, we reflect on those we lost, their contribution to the world and their ongoing legacy.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 25, 2013

Casino quest governor's hole card?

As Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima's Futenma base decision, speculation is growing that he's holding out for the promise of a casino resort.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Dec 20, 2013

Managerial carousel an ongoing story at Tottenham

For the seventh time in his 12-year tenure as chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, Daniel Levy agreed to a compensation package for a manager, not the sort of consistency football wants.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 7, 2013

Who is responsible for a corporate scandal?

Recent scandals involving Japanese businesses have included bank loans to the underworld and misrepresentations of restaurant menus at leading hotels, and many of the media reports have focused on how management takes responsibility for the mess. I would like to highlight three points that need to be...
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 29, 2013

What are the next steps in the Iran nuclear deal?

The interim agreement with Iran recognizes that Tehran's nuclear program is not going away, and that neither tougher sanctions nor the threat of military strikes can change that.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 25, 2013

Imperfect Iran deal may be U.S.' least bad option

Critics of a deal on Iran's nuclear program need to answer a question: Is there a better alternative?
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 3, 2013

Eyes everywhere: 9/11 attacks transform once underfunded NSA into an all-seeing technological powerhouse

The National Security Agency gathers intelligence to keep America safe. But leaked documents reveal the NSA's dark side — and show an agency intent on exploiting the digital revolution to the full.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2013

'Perfect' winds give Brazil another option for power

Wind is emerging as a prize for energy planners in Brazil who see the howling gusts that arrive from the east as a way to offset the fresh limits imposed on hydropower.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Sep 16, 2013

Osaka: What on Earth should be done about the deteriorating situation at Fukushima No. 1?

As Tepco plays 'whack-a-mole' with myriad problems at the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, readers offer their advice to the utility and Abe's government.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / 'SUMMER DAVOS' SPECIAL 2013
Sep 10, 2013

Seeking to change men's mind-sets to spur on prosperity for all Japanese

When Upper House lawmaker Masako Mori became a state minister for measures for declining birthrate, gender equality and consumer affairs and food safety last December, one of the first things she did was to announce that she would promote male staff within her ministries if they take child-care leave....

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