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Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 2, 2022

For Constance Wu, there’s more to the story

The actor reveals her isolation, racism in her career and how she's moving on in her memoir, “Making a Scene.”
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Jul 18, 2022

Tapping into the wisdom of Japan's small communities

While working in broadcasting, Adam Fulford was able to see a lot of Japan. Now he sees the bigger picture, learning from his travels as a way to seek a sustainable path moving forward.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 15, 2022

Philosophical living legend Konishiki reflects on launch of career

The Hawaiian-born former ozeki, a driving force in gaining sumo recognition overseas, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his entry into the sport.
JAPAN
May 16, 2022

From Tran Anh Tuan to Masaki Ito: A Vietnamese refugee's journey to Japanese citizenship

When Masaki Ito saw Ukrainians who had fled their war-torn country arriving in Japan on TV, it brought back strong memories of his own arrival from Vietnam 40 years ago.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 7, 2022

Aichi police supporting social reintegration of former yakuza

A maximum of u00a5720,000 a year is provided to companies that hire former yakuza, and compensation is available in the event of any trouble.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 8, 2022

Sidney Poitier, who paved the way for Black actors in film, dies at 94

Poitier, who established himself as Hollywood's first Black matinee idol, died Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles. He was 94.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 7, 2022

Peter Bogdanovich, director whose career was a Hollywood drama, dies at 82

Bogdanovich hit the ground running in the '70s with films such as 'The Last Picture Show' but within the decade, he had become one of Hollywood's most ostracized filmmakers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 5, 2021

Alex Kerr sounded an alarm 25 years ago. Did Japan listen?

On the anniversary of his breakout book u2018Lost Japan,' the author finds reasons for hope in some rural towns.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 17, 2021

‘Three Japanese Buddhist Monks’ explores the merits of reclusion

Penguin's latest addition to its “Great Ideas” series features three texts that delve into the evolving revelations of Japanese medieval Buddhist thought.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 7, 2021

'Nihonbashi Valley': Tokyo’s old trade quarters transforming into a startup hub

The financial district home to the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Bank of Japan is undergoing a makeover, luring dozens of life science and space technology startups.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 4, 2021

Dress like Naruto? Great cosplay. Speak like Naruto? Hmm, chotto

With anime's popularity booming, some may see it as a shortcut to learning Japanese. But you wouldn't necessarily learn English from Donald Duck, would you?
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Jan 17, 2021

Children’s screen time has soared in the pandemic, alarming parents and researchers

Nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic, parents are watching their children slide down an increasingly slippery path into an all-consuming digital life.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 28, 2020

'There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job': How hard is it to find meaning in the modern workplace?

In Kikuko Tsumura's surreal and humorous novel, “There's No Such Things as an Easy Job,” an unnamed narrator sets her sights on trivial work after giving up her 14-year career.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 22, 2020

The new normal that will arise after COVID-19

In the post-COVID-19 world, the coronavirus should prove far less dangerous, eventually becoming as common as the flu. But that doesn't mean life will completely revert to the way it was.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 20, 2020

A digital pivot at Japan’s universities: ‘A lot of us expected to have our worst semesters online’

The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the fall term, leaving professors and students scrambling to adapt to shifting rules and digital education.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Aug 11, 2020

Museums in Japan collect daily items to log pandemic history

A Kyodo article looks at efforts by Japanese museums to collect items that can be used to educate future generations about the pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Aug 8, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic tests our resolve to be self-disciplined

Exercising self-control in an environment that allows more freedom is more difficult than you think.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 13, 2020

Suicide in Japan: Seeking to part the dark clouds as pandemic threatens recent progress

The death of u2018Terrace House' star Hana Kimura in May has thrust the issue of suicide back into the national spotlight.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jun 12, 2020

Video gamers have pandemic entertainment figured out

Video games Final Fantasy VII Remake and Animal Crossing: New Horizons have engaging storylines, graphics that are worthy of Hollywood and now — a captive audience
JAPAN / History / BIG IN JAPAN
May 2, 2020

Redefining normality in a world turned upside down by COVID-19

In normal times, we seek happiness. In times of crisis, we seek normality.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Apr 23, 2020

In New York, homeless feel safer in subway stations than in shelters

The lights still scream for attention, but on this night Times Square has the feel of an abandoned Hollywood film set. Gone are the hordes of tourists shooting selfies with Elmo and Wonder Woman. Instead, a lone SUV glides by and a passenger's phone glows as she records the scene from the safety of the...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2020

When will the cure be worse than the disease?

How should we weigh the benefits against the costs of unemployment, social isolation and widespread bankruptcies?
JAPAN / History
Mar 14, 2020

The 1970 Osaka Expo: Looking back at the past to gauge where Japan sits in the present

The 1970 Osaka Expo laid down a bold statement about Japan's future. Fifty years later, has the country been able to live up to its promises?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Mar 7, 2020

Paradise lost: Japan longs for simpler times in trying days

The Japanese weren't always workaholics. Once upon a time, work had its place and knew its place. It didn't swallow life whole. Other pursuits were given their due. People worked without being consumed by work.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / 'Terrace House Tokyo 2019-2020' Recaps
Jan 10, 2020

Ep. 28 'Starving for Affection'

This week's episode of "Terrace House" was all about love — showing it, fighting for it and accepting it — and it marked quite a change from previous kitchen table talks that revolved around mundane topics like Instagram or making carbonara.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Dec 7, 2019

Tohru Miyano: Reverse-engineering an unlucky situation

Though nomadic and grueling, Tohru Miyano's experience of being moved from factory to factory across East Asia and the U.S. has, he says, left him feeling liberated and more open-minded.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Dec 5, 2019

Wat Misaka leaves an admirable legacy

When Wataru "Wat" Misaka passed away on Nov. 20, he left an indelible legacy on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. He showed what was possible for someone who looked like he did on the basketball court. And to his eternal credit, he reached the highest level.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 16, 2019

Singer Misia explores the language of music

Singer Misia possesses an astonishing vocal range of five octaves but equally impressive is her humanitarian work abroad.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Jul 27, 2019

Yumi Nagashima: Keeping the funny side up

Vancouver comedian subverts the demure Japanese woman stereotype.

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami