Search - about-us

 
 
Reader Mail
Apr 8, 2020

In the pink — cherry blossom viewing will survive

First and foremost, I would like to say to Rika Asakura, who wrote the March 20 letter to the editor “School closures are a cruel blow to children” —“Congratulations on your graduation from high school!”
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Apr 8, 2020

J. League clubs feeling financial crunch from pandemic

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Tuesday night announcement of a state of emergency marked the latest and most dramatic step in Japan’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 8, 2020

How a military-style lockdown unfolded in Wuhan

As the world grapples with the escalating coronavirus pandemic, China reopened the city of Wuhan on Wednesday, allowing its 11 million residents to leave for the first time in over two months, a milestone in its effort to combat the outbreak.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 8, 2020

'I own it:' U.S. Navy secretary resigns over handling of coronavirus-hit carrier

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned on Tuesday after he faced mounting backlash for firing and ridiculing the commander of a U.S. aircraft carrier who pleaded for help stemming a coronavirus outbreak onboard.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2020

Pulp friction: Border jams delay supply of toilet paper's sole ingredient

As several European borders limit travel to stop the spread of COVID-19, two of the world's biggest pulp makers say transportation logjams are delaying shipments of the raw material — the only ingredient in the toilet paper that people are hoarding to weather quarantines.
JAPAN / Politics / EXPLAINER
Apr 8, 2020

What changes under Japan's state of emergency declaration?

After weeks of intense pressure Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency in seven urban areas, but what does that change?
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Apr 8, 2020

Osaka Evessa announce three more infected players

The Osaka Evessa announced Tuesday that three more of their players have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of infected players and team officials to eight.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2020

Nearly half of global coal plants will be unprofitable this year, study shows

China and other countries could be planning to build more coal plants to stimulate their economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but nearly half of global coal plants will run at a loss this year, according to research published Wednesday.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 8, 2020

Pandemic grips Britain with Boris Johnson still in intensive care

Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained in intensive care while his deputy tried to reassure Britain that the battle against the coronavirus was under control even as the daily death toll rose to a record.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 8, 2020

WeWork sues SoftBank for dropping $3 billion tender offer

A WeWork board committee that negotiated a $3 billion (¥326.4 billion) tender offer with SoftBank Group sued the conglomerate Tuesday for abandoning the deal, accusing it of succumbing to "buyer's remorse" amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2020

Emergency declared in Japan for Tokyo, Osaka and five other virus hot spots

Basic infrastructure — electricity, water supply and gas — as well as businesses such as supermarkets, banks and public transportation, will not be impacted by the declaration.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 7, 2020

Local officials and residents fear influx from Japan's virus hot spots

With the number of novel coronavirus infections rising in Tokyo and other major urban centers, some concerned residents are fleeing to nearby prefectures where the number of cases is minimal.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 7, 2020

Japan firms to shut with emergency decree; 7-Elevens stay open

Japanese companies prepared to close retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and offices, while expanding work-from-home policies, after the government declared a state of emergency in major metropolitan areas.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 7, 2020

Crisis offers an opportunity for radical educational reform

Shifting the start of the school year to fall would bring the nation a number of benefits.
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 Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2020

Isolation changes everything for status seekers

COVID-19 is upending all the usual ways for people to win the approval of their peers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 7, 2020

Running out of beds and gear, Tokyo medical staff say Japan's 'state of emergency' already here

The crisis has already arrived at Eiju General Hospital in central Tokyo, which has reported 140 cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 7, 2020

Mild virus patients moved to hotel as Tokyo prepares for emergency

Officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said around 10 patients will be transferred on the first day, while around 100 individuals will eventually be housed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Apr 7, 2020

Japan stimulus plan strengthens safety net, but experts split on handouts

Some economists say the financial aid should be focused on those in need while others say the proposed measure appears to be lacking fairness.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 7, 2020

A city traumatized: As lockdown eases, Wuhan residents fret over future

Li Xiaoli has been hard at work in recent days at the car dealership she owns in Wuhan, making sure she has enough sanitizer and protective gear for the company's long-awaited reopening.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 7, 2020

WhatsApp limits message forwarding to slow spread of fake virus news

Facebook Inc.'s WhatsApp tightened message forwarding limits Tuesday, restricting users to sharing forwarded content one chat at a time after a jump in messages touting bogus medical advice since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2020

Seafarers grounded in pandemic add to strain on supply chains

Port restrictions and canceled flights are straining the ability for shipping firms to replace seafarers, further weakening global supply chains already snarled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 7, 2020

The EU’s latest existential crisis might be its biggest one yet

When the European Union’s 27 leaders last managed to gather in person, they didn’t even talk about the coronavirus.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 7, 2020

Let's discuss panic-buying at the supermarket

An English lesson looks at what you do to prepare for a weekend at home.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Apr 7, 2020

What to do when a Japanese word shows signs of needing 'meku' attached to it

Attaching the verb 'meku' to certain Japanese words can emphasize the idea of showing signs of something or appearing to look like something.

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