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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2017

High earners, smokers and tourists to see higher levies under planned fiscal 2018 tax reforms

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition's fiscal 2018 tax reform plan features increased taxes for high-income earners and smokers, as well as a controversial departure tax targeting tourists leaving Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 14, 2017

In Tokyo, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres warns of 'sleepwalking into war' with North Korea

Speaking to a group of reporters soon after a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the United Nations Secretary-General said Security Council members must unite to denuclearize North Korea.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2017

Osaka city assembly urges central government to pressure San Francisco to remove 'comfort women' memorial

The Osaka city assembly has called on the central government to pressure San Francisco to remove a statue to wartime "comfort women" — a euphemism used to refer to the women and girls who were forced to work in Japanese military brothels before and during World War II.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2017

After Russia ban, IOC chief confident Tokyo can avoid drug scandal at 2020 Games

International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates said Wednesday in Tokyo that Japan can be confident of weeding out drug cheats at the 2020 Tokyo Games, in the wake of a doping scandal that led to Russia being banned from next year's Pyeongchang Olympics.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 13, 2017

Toyota and Panasonic boost alliance to develop batteries for electric vehicles and other green cars

Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp. announced Wednesday that they will strengthen their alliance for developing batteries used in environmentally friendly cars, targeting the market for all-electric vehicles.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 13, 2017

South Korea considers cryptocurrency tax as global regulators grapple with 'speculative mania'

South Korea said on Wednesday it may tax capital gains from cryptocurrency trading as global regulators worry about a bubble, with Australia's central bank chief warning of a "speculative mania" that has seen the digital asset make rip-roaring gains.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 13, 2017

Music acts found new ways to get noticed in 2017, but nothing beats an established brand

The path to J-pop stardom used to be pretty simple: Align yourself with the right talent agency and label — they'll do all the work.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 13, 2017

Trump loses his big bet on Alabama U.S. Senate race

In backing Roy Moore in Alabama's U.S. Senate race even though the candidate faced allegations of sexual misconduct with teenage girls, President Donald Trump made a risky bet — and lost big.
WORLD / Society
Dec 13, 2017

If aid for 5.3 million Syrian refugees dries up, another mass exodus to Europe will follow: U.N.

Syrian refugees could again seek to reach Europe in droves if aid programs are not sustained in five neighboring countries hosting the bulk of them, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2017

Monkey eludes capture as it's tracked throughout Tokyo

A series of monkey sightings around Tokyo continued on Tuesday, as what appears to be a solo wild animal traversed eastern parts of the metropolis.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 12, 2017

Asia in the wings of Japan's art scene

"Tis the season to be jolly ... circumspect. As regards art, despite suggestions from some art professionals that biennials and other recurring art festivals are an exhausted format, 2017 offered up an embarrassment of riches, some more embarrassing than others as it turned out.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2017

North Korean bodies and boats reach Japan's coasts, but more survivors, too

It was yet another grim discovery: The bodies of three unidentified men suspected to be from North Korea were found Tuesday, washed ashore on a beach in Fukaura, Aomori Prefecture, just over a week after a small wooden boat was found in the area.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2017

Next Bank of Japan chief faces a 'job from hell,' Kuroda critic Takeshi Fujimaki says

The next governor of the Bank of Japan faces a "job from hell."
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 12, 2017

U.S., South Korea may delay annual joint military exercises during Winter Olympics

Seoul and Washington are reportedly considering delaying annual joint military exercises until after the Winter Olympics in a bid to stave off provocative actions by North Korea during the Pyeongchang Games in South Korea.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Dec 12, 2017

Times Square subway bomber claims ties to Islamic State but officials say he's solo player

A Brooklyn man wearing a pipe bomb attached with Velcro and zip ties set off an explosive in the Times Square subway station Monday morning, injuring himself and three others, sending ambulances racing and commuters fleeing as Christmas shoppers poured into New York City. He later said he is a follower...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 11, 2017

SoftBank's Son remains confident over Saudi investment in Vision Fund amid crackdown

Billionaire Masayoshi Son may be getting closer to achieving his dream of making SoftBank Group Corp. the world's biggest investor in technologies, thanks in part to the main patron of Son's $100 billion (¥11.3 trillion) investment plan — Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 11, 2017

California wildfire rages toward scenic coastal communities

A massive California wildfire that has already destroyed nearly 800 structures scorched another 56,000 acres on Sunday, making it the fifth largest blaze in recorded state history, as it ran toward picturesque coastal cities.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Dec 9, 2017

Open waters: Opening of ports 150 years ago remains a watershed moment in the nation's history

The year 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, which ended about 250 years of self-imposed isolation and marked the beginning of Japan's efforts to become a major international power.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 9, 2017

Saudi Arabia pushes Palestinians to consider nascent U.S. peace plan

Saudi Arabia pulled no punches when it condemned President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. But Palestinian officials say Riyadh has also been working for weeks behind the scenes to press them to support a nascent U.S. peace plan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2017

After bumper year this year, China's import growth seen tumbling in 2018

The pace of China's import growth is set to slow in 2018 following a boom this year.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Dec 8, 2017

Judge charges Argentina ex-leader Fernandez with treason over Jewish center blast, seeks arrest

A federal judge in Argentina indicted former President Cristina Fernandez for treason and asked for her arrest for allegedly covering up Iran's possible role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center that killed 85 people, a court ruling said.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Dec 7, 2017

Brave Thunders captain Ryusei Shinoyama surprised and upbeat about team's impending ownership change

Energetic veteran Ryusei Shinoyama said that he did not get upset with the announcement because he is competing in an anything-can-happen professional sports circuit.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past