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JAPAN
Apr 26, 2017

Pachinko industry raises money for low-income students, but critics call it a marketing stunt

The pachinko industry is urging customers to donate steel balls from their winnings to help put hard-up students through university.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 26, 2017

Reconstruction chief Imamura resigns over latest Tohoku gaffe

The minister for disaster reconstruction, Masahiro Imamura, stepped down Wednesday over a gaffe where he said it was better the 2011 quake and tsunami hit the Tohoku region and not near Tokyo.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 25, 2017

North Korea marks foundation of military with huge live-fire drill amid flurry of U.S. activity

North Korea and the U.S. flexed their military muscles Tuesday as Pyongyang marked the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army — without testing a nuclear weapon or conducting a major missile test.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 25, 2017

Brexit to dominate as May sets out plans for U.K. re-election

Whatever Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservatives promise in their manifesto before a June election, managing Britain's exit from the European Union will limit her opportunity to push wide-ranging radical domestic change.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 25, 2017

Pop music catches up to De De Mouse

Daisuke Endo made peace with EDM thanks to Mister Donut. The electronic artist, better known by his stage name De De Mouse, eats at the snack chain frequently. Recently, he says he has been enjoying the American pop music they pipe into the store.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 25, 2017

A political tool called 'national security crisis'

The nation's deteriorating security environment explains why people continue to support the Abe administration even though they harbor doubts about it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 25, 2017

Between Kim Jong Un's bluster and Trump's bluff

A resolution of the North Korean crisis requires a mixed strategy of pressure and engagement, not military threats.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 25, 2017

When high achievement is a pyrrhic victory

The results of tests of international competition have long been the sole basis for ranking a country's schools, but these tests fail to provide a complete picture.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 25, 2017

Enjoy Earth Day, while you last

Earth's climate will probably recover from this human-fueled round of global warming, but on time scales that are unimaginable to humans. And perhaps without humans.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 25, 2017

Cruise-missile carrying U.S. nuclear submarine visits South Korea amid soaring tensions on peninsula

A U.S. guided-missile nuclear submarine arrived in South Korea on Tuesday — the 85th anniversary of North Korea's founding of its military — in the latest show of force by the United States amid surging tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Apr 24, 2017

Messenger staying ahead of Japanese baseball learning curve

There aren't many pitchers in Japan who cut a more imposing figure on the mound than the Hanshin Tigers' Randy Messenger. There might not be any actually.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Apr 24, 2017

Conquering ‘Commendatore’: Murakami brandishes familiar lexicon in latest novel

Murakami's language has evolved over the course of his career, and knowing some of his tricks will help ease you into this 1,048-page novel.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 24, 2017

South Korean presidential candidate Ahn seeks to restart six-party talks to denuclearize North Korea

South Korean software mogul-turned-presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo will seek to restart six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula if he is elected on May 9, he said in a written interview.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Apr 23, 2017

Sunrockers rebound in style to sink listless Brave Thunders

After a lousy first quarter against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders on Saturday, Sunrockers Shibuya coach BT Toews challenged his players to elevate their game in the series finale.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / CULTURE SMASH
Apr 23, 2017

Anime gives Japanese bands a new route to potential fans

"Retro" was the theme at this year's Anime Boston, the largest anime convention in the Northeastern United States, and that idea extended to the event's featured musical acts: veteran pop duo Puffy AmiYumi and 1960s-styled rock quartet Okamoto's.
LIFE / Digital / ON: GAMES
Apr 23, 2017

Games: Best of editions and additions

Eighth time lucky for 'Mario Kart'
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2017

MSDF destroyers kick off drills with USS Carl Vinson strike group in Western Pacific

Two Maritime Self-Defense Force ships begin joint drills with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and its escort vessels in the Western Pacific as the strike group nears the Sea of Japan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Apr 22, 2017

Japanese revisionist drivel exposed by former 'comfort woman'

Lee Yong-soo's is a poignant saga of abduction from her village at age 16 and ending up on an air base in Taiwan, where she was beaten and tortured until she succumbed.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Apr 22, 2017

'Second-Best Justice: The Virtues of Japanese Private Law': Championing mediocrity in the courts

Ignore the irony of a tenured Harvard professor railing against the pursuit of excellence and employment security and J. Mark Ramseyer's book is fun and enlightening.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Apr 22, 2017

Cut paper artist Teri Suzanne: 'a pair of scissors is the superhero of utensils'

U.S. educator on how scissors can be used as a fine motor tool to help children develop creativity and coordination skills.
COMMUNITY / Voices / OVERHEARD
Apr 22, 2017

Family sacrifice

'Honey, I have to work this Saturday. I'm sorry I can't spend time with you at home.'
Figure Skating
Apr 22, 2017

Japan completes wire-to-wire lead to capture second World Team Trophy title

Inspired free skates from Mai Mihara and Wakaba Higuchi in women's singles powered Japan to the World Team Trophy title on Saturday night at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 22, 2017

Rapid first-half scoring propels Reysol past Marinos

Kashiwa Reysol blitzed Yokohama F. Marinos with two goals in the space of two first-half minutes to claim a 2-0 win in the J. League on Saturday.

Longform

Members of the nonprofit group Japan Youth Memorial Association search for the remains of dead soldiers in a cave in Okinawa Prefecture in February.
The long search for Japan’s lost soldiers