Tag - dark-side-of-the-rising-sun

 
 

DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN

Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Feb 28, 2015
The candy, the whip and freedom of press in Japan
We are familiar with the carrot-and-stick approach in the West, but the phrase in Japan is "ame to muchi" — literally, the candy and the whip.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Jan 31, 2015
Crime and punishment: Abe's Mideast crisis
In general, crime prevention is a good thing — it helps stop crime. By punishing people for minor transgressions, you stop them from committing larger misdemeanors and discourage crime overall. If the principle is applied blindly, however, it can produce some awkward results.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Jan 3, 2015
The biggest terrorism threat in Japan
Remember how the government said Japan needed a state secrets law to protect it from acts of terrorism?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Dec 6, 2014
Obscenity arrest may be hiding dirty politics
What constitutes obscenity in Japan? The term, both legally and morally, has different meanings in Japanese, just as it does in English. In a strictly legal sense, the Japanese word for obscenity, waisetsu, refers to something that maliciously stimulates sexual desire in an inappropriate and immoral manner.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Nov 1, 2014
The uncomfortable truth about 'comfort women'
Question: How did you view those people (that you infected with bubonic plague and dissected while still alive)? Didn't you have any feelings of pity?
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Oct 4, 2014
Yakuza do what Abe Cabinet pick can't
In most countries, police officers and criminals are supposed to be on opposite sides of the law, especially the higher up the chain of command you go, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe doesn't appear to think this is necessary.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Sep 6, 2014
Save ourselves ... cos nobody else can
Sometimes when you want to do something right, you have to do it yourself.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Aug 2, 2014
The v-word doesn't always mean victory
If you are easily offended, please don't read this column because it's about obscenity laws in Japan and that in itself may be obscene. If my editor will let me, we'll even put up a possibly obscene image! (Don't worry, I won't — Ed.)
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Jul 5, 2014
Figuring out the science behind research whaling
Japan has a unique concept of science that doesn't seem to be accepted in the Western world. Both the esteemed academic journal Nature and the International Court of Justice have essentially handed down rulings over the past year that question the standards of research in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
May 31, 2014
Anti-stalking laws 'are a dead end'
On May 8, the National Police Agency gathered police officers from all over the country to declare a war on stalking. This gathering was even held before members of the all-girl pop group AKB48 were attacked by a man with a saw at a handshaking event. (It's still unclear whether the assailant was stalking the girls or not.)
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
May 3, 2014
Telephone fraud: ‘Hello, is it me you’re looking for?’
For young sociopathic entrepreneurs in Japan, the best way to get rich quick is by learning to say the following three lines convincingly:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Mar 1, 2014
Japan finds bitcoins can bite back, too
Tokyo has once again become the center of a world-wobbling virtual financial crisis. Let me emphasize the word virtual. That's because the world's best-known and perhaps largest exchange of the virtual currency known as bitcoin — Mt. Gox, located in Tokyo's Shibuya district — appeared to have all but collapsed last week.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Feb 1, 2014
War against stalkers broadens its aims
If you would, dear reader, please take a moment of your time today and let Prime Minister Shinzo Abe know that you'd like him to treat Japan's stalking problem seriously. Let him know that you'd like the Diet to make real laws that would protect the women who are subject to harassment, humiliation, injury and even death by men who chase them.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Jan 4, 2014
Here's eyeing Japan 2014 — warts an' all
"To know the future, look at the past," is a familiar Buddhist aphorism. However, it's also said that a prophet isn't honored in his hometown — which is why I live in Tokyo. As we ride into the Year of the Horse, I thought I'd canter awhile through times to come and report back on what I found. My apologies if some predictions are rather dire and dark; if you're easily offended, you're sure to be fuming by the time you finish. So: Off we go . . .
Japan Times
JAPAN / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Nov 30, 2013
Japan: The new Uzbekistan of press freedom in Asia
If you're living in Japan, you may be surprised to know that your right to know has been replaced by the right to remain silent. Shhh ... don't protest. It's practically a done deal.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Nov 2, 2013
Can Japanese really be such cold sushi in the sack?
Sex in Japan is a knotty issue — even if you're not a fan of tying up your lover with rope, also known as shibari. No matter how you write about it, it raises ire. If you point out that Japan has a vibrant sex industry in which every sexual act other than vaginal penetration can be legally bought and advertised, you're accused of promoting prostitution.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Oct 5, 2013
Has business blackballed the yakuza? Don't bank on it
The Financial Services Agency (FSA) publicly spanked Mizuho Bank last month by slapping it with a "business improvement order" for letting Japan's organized crime groups use its facilities. At least $2 million in illegal transactions were cited.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Aug 31, 2013
Japan's nuclear comedy just goes on and on
What has been will be again,
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Aug 3, 2013
Is new yakuza journal good news for Japan?
If you're a well-connected Japanese gangster, you now have your own newspaper to keep you abreast of underworld life. Another perk of the job.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
Jul 6, 2013
Equal-opportunity infidelity comes to Japan
As a Japanese saying puts it: Suezen kuwanu wa otoko no haji (It is shame for a man not to eat a feast placed before him).

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores