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January 2015
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JAPAN

JAPAN
Jan 21, 2015
Respected journalist Goto aims to tell world of Syrians' suffering
By Tomoko Otake and Masaaki Kameda
Kenji Goto is among a rare breed of journalists who, while reporting from conflict-ridden Syria, has never regarded himself as a war reporter. Instead, he has tried to capture the voices of ordinary citizens whose fates have been irreversibly changed by war.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2015
Islamic State likely gave hostage ultimatum knowing difficulty of meeting it
By Mizuho Aoki and Jesse Johnson
The militant group, which aims to establish an Islamic caliphate, is likely using the hostage situation to generate renewed international attention, according to leading analysts.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2015
Islamic State's social media tactics mocked by Japanese Twitter users
By Shusuke Murai
The Islamic State group is known for its extensive use of social media.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 21, 2015
Robot creators say baby talk key to conversation
By Kazuaki Nagata
Robotics technology has evolved over the years, but systems that can hold a sophisticated conversation with a human may still be far off.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2015
Japanese Muslims condemn Islamic State threat; some fear damage to Islam's image
By Tomohiro Osaki
Some assailed the threat issued in a video posted online as an “unforgiveable” act of cruelty, and said the hostage-takers were unworthy of calling themselves Muslims.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2015
Abe could ease doubts by apologizing over WWII, says former leader Fukuda
By Linda Sieg
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could help remove international doubts about Japan's stance toward its wartime past by apologizing over World War II in a statement he is planning to help mark the 70th anniversary of the war's end, said Yasuo Fukuda, one of Abe's predecessors.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2015
Government earmarks funds to deal with caregiver shortage
By Shusuke Murai
A crisis in nursing care is brewing. The government estimates that the nation will be short of 300,000 professional caregivers by 2025, when postwar baby boomers will be 75 or older and many will need regular care.
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Business leaders confident of recovery in coming year
By Minoru Matsutani
This is definitely the year in which Japan will end its deflationary spiral.
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Adaptation vital in changing world
By Sayuri Daimon
Kiyoshi Kurokawa, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and former chairman of the National Diet of Japan Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission, says the world is currently experiencing the most dramatic shift since the Industrial Revolution in the...
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Transitioning from spectator to participant at Davos meeting
By Yoko Ishikura
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is underway in Davos-Klosters in Switzerland from Jan. 21. The theme of this year's meeting is "The New Global Context" for decision making.
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
New concerns appear on Global Agenda 2015
Based on a survey of almost 1,800 experts from the World Economic Forum's Network of Global Agenda Councils, as well as other communities within the forum, on what they believe will preoccupy leaders over the coming 12 to 18 months, the Outlook on the Global Agenda 2015 was published in November.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Forging better Japan through 'quiet revolution'
By Atsushi Kodera
Entrepreneur Yoshito Hori has a strong sense of mission to guide Japan to become a better place as it undergoes what he calls a "quiet revolution," and he thinks his role is outside of politics.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Switzerland and Japan celebrate 150th anniversary of their diplomatic relations
Switzerland, which is home to Davos, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan. The Japan Times had an opportunity to interview Swiss Ambassador to Japan Urs Bucher on the bilateral relationship. He has been the ambassador in Tokyo since October 2010.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Japanese architects making mark on Swiss design landscape
By Chiho Iuchi
As part of the events commemorating 150 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan, an exhibition titled "JP-CH 2014: Building in Context" was held in Tokyo last October featuring five recent projects in Switzerland by four eminent Japanese architects.
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Exhibition examines Swiss design
Venue: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Carrying on 'washi' paper tradition
"Washi," or traditional Japanese handmade paper, was officially added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list last November. It is a remarkable accomplishment that the nation's traditional culture has achieved such recognition for the second year in a row, following the inclusion of "washoku" traditional...
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Spreading culture through cuisine
By Mayumi Koyama
"One of the easiest and most effective ways to understand a culture is through its food," said Yoshiko Nishihama, owner of Zurich's Nishi Shop, a store specializing in Japanese imports and an affiliated company of Japan Restaurant Bimi in Zurich. "That's why, as representatives of Japan, we take our...
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015
Sake: Best drink for 'washoku'
By Makiko Itoh
What are good alcoholic beverages to enjoy with "washoku," traditional Japanese cuisine? While beer, shochu and even whisky and wine are popular choices, the best match by far is sake, the national beverage of Japan. After all, washoku has been developed over many centuries as a cuisine to go well with...

WORLD

WORLD
Jan 21, 2015
Briton who faked own death in Syria admits terrorism offenses
A Briton who fought with an Islamist group in Syria and then faked his own death in the hope of being able to return home undetected has admitted to terrorism offenses in a London court.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2015
Obama's State of the Union speech shows populism has gone mainstream in U.S. politics
By Jonathan Allen
President Barack Obama reached into his party's progressive past to deliver a robust endorsement of higher taxes for the wealthy, government intervention in the economy and an array of new benefits for lower- and middle-income Americans.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2015
Democrats push back, want Keystone built with domestic steel, oil used in U.S.
Senate Democrats said Tuesday they'll push amendments to legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline requiring that it's built with domestically produced steel and that the oil it carries is used in the U.S.

BUSINESS

Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2015
Toyota crowned world's biggest automaker for third year
Toyota Motor Corp. warded off Volkswagen AG to remain the world's top-selling automaker for a third consecutive year, driven by record U.S. deliveries of its SUVs, according to the 2014 tally announced by the company Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2015
Honda warns against 'stupid' loans driving U.S. sales gains
By Craig Trudell
A top U.S. executive at Honda Motor Co. said competitors are doing "stupid things" to boost auto sales, including making seven-year-long car loans that harm buyers.

Opinion

EDITORIALS
Jan 21, 2015
Tough times for law schools
The slashing of overnment subsidies to underperforming law schools could lead to a dearth of legal education opportunities outside large metropolitan areas.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jan 21, 2015
Abe targets Finance Ministry
Angered by its resistance to some of his policy measures, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears bent on curbing the power of the Finance Ministry.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 21, 2015
Editors are killing U.S. political cartooning
By TED RALL
The Charlie Hebdo massacre couldn't have happened in the U.S. because no American newspaper employs more than one political cartoonist, and most have none.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 21, 2015
Remembering and learning from the Kobe quake
By Robert D. Eldridge
Cooperation in disaster relief efforts have helped strengthen ties between Japan and the United States.

Sports

Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jan 21, 2015
Japan gathering steam as Asian Cup gets down to business
By Andrew MCKIRDY
There is certainly room for improvement as Japan takes the defense of its Asian Cup title into the quarterfinals on Friday, but the way the team has improved with each performance so far in Australia suggests the best is yet to come.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 21, 2015
J-Wave to air live radio broadcast of Super Bowl
By Kaz Nagatsuka
Japanese FM radio station J-Wave (frequency: 81.3) will carry live game coverage of the Super Bowl XLIX, the company announced on Wednesday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / NFL NOTEBOOK
Jan 21, 2015
Manning can thrive in Kubiak's system
By Hiroshi Ikezawa
My first impression when I heard the news that the Denver Broncos had hired Gary Kubiak to replace John Fox as the 15th head coach in team history was that Peyton Manning is one step closer to retirement.

CULTURE

Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
Jemaine Clement: Bloodsucking and bored at the end of the world
By Kaori Shoji
The newest vampire movie to take film festivals by storm, "What We Do in the Shadows," is the work of two New Zealanders: actor Jemaine Clement ("Flight of the Conchords") and actor/director Taika Waititi ("Boy"). Together they wrote, directed and star in a movie that was made on a small budget — "a...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
Sayonara Kabukicho: Life and love in Shinjuku's red-light district
By Mark Schilling
Ryuichi Hiroki has become a victim of his own success, though his studio employers probably don't see it that way. This one-time maker of so-called pink films (i.e., soft pornography), who became internationally celebrated for intimate indie dramas like "Vibrator" from 2003 and "Yawarakai Seikatsu (It's...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
Mystery: 'Asian sensuality against the backdrop of polluted cities'
By Kaori Shoji
'Fifty shades of pitch black" is an apt way to describe "Mystery." It's a feel-awful anti-love film that should come with a huge warning label for anyone contemplating marriage or even a long-term commitment. On the other hand, it's a raw and compelling look at contemporary Chinese society, as the emerging...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
What We Do in the Shadows: 'straight-to-camera confessionals intercut with savage bouts of feasting on human blood'
By Giovanni Fazio
Shortly after the first weekend that box-office returns came in for "Twilight," a swarm of studio suits rushed to their BlackBerrys and proceeded to greenlight every vampire-related script they could find buried under the cobwebs. Six years on, we've been deluged by more undead movies and TV series that...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
Annie: 'mobile-phone mogul takes in an orphan to boost public image'
By Kaori Shoji
Movie musicals sit badly with some people — the sudden moments where the cast break into song and dance can sometimes work better on the stage. "Annie" is a case in point, since director Will Gluck appears to be a tad uncomfortable with musicals, and rushes over the scenes like a man with a flight...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
David Bowie is Happening Now: 'a strange hybrid'
By Giovanni Fazio
"David Bowie Is Happening Now" is a strange hybrid. Rather than focusing on Bowie himself, it documents an exhibition held at London's Victoria and Albert Museum in 2013 of artifacts from the singer's long and varied career. The exhibition itself was a huge success — immersive and imaginatively presented...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
Eclipse Series 42: Silent Ozu — Three Crime Dramas
By Mark Schilling
Director: Yasujiro Ozu Language: Japanese (subtitles in English)
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 21, 2015
Avignon chief sees culture and politics sharing the stage
By Nobuko Tanaka
"The Avignon Festival is not only about shows and theater, but also about thinking, searching and seeking to understand the world and its politics — and offering an opportunity for three weeks' intellectual life experience every year," Olivier Py, the event's artistic director, declared with passion...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
Les Reines du Ring (Japan title: Mama wa Wrestling Queen)
By Kaori Shoji
Director: Jean-Marc Rudnicki Language: French (subtitled in Japanese and English)
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 21, 2015
French triumph frees SPAC pioneer to be bolder still
By Nobuko Tanaka
Following on Olivier Py's comment in the accompanying story that "everybody" at last year's Avignon Festival loved Satoshi Miyagi's "Mahabharata — Nalacharitam," which Py, as the festival's director, had awarded the honor of opening the event, I rolled up to Shizuoka Performing Arts Center to find...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 21, 2015
A Single Shot (Japan title: Tenraku no Judan: Hitsuji)
By Giovanni Fazio
Director: David M. Rosenthal Language: English
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 21, 2015
Sony's 'The Interview' surpasses $40 million in digital sales
"The Interview," the Sony Pictures comedy believed to have triggered a cyberattack on the studio, has racked up over $40 million in sales from 5.8 million digital downloads, the studio said on Tuesday.
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Jan 21, 2015
James Patterson to launch explosive 'Private Vegas'
James Patterson, already among the world's best-selling authors, plans to shake up the publishing industry with the launch of his new novel, "Private Vegas," which will self-destruct within 24 hours.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Jan 21, 2015
Forty years after Zainichi labor case victory, is Japan turning back the clock?
By Hifumi Okunuki
Efforts against nationality-based discrimination in Japan have made zero progress in the four decades since a landmark court case against Hitachi.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jan 21, 2015
Mount Fuji is 'brown hill,' A-Bomb Dome is 'depressing': Whiners diss Japan's wonders
By Amy Chavez
Let's explore what some disgruntled travelers have to say about Japan's most impressive World Heritage Sites.
Possibility of Nankai Trough megaquake now 80%, government panel reports
A map of the hypocentral region of an anticipated Nankai Trough earthquake
Crashed Jeju jet’s black box failure shows decadeslong gap in power rules
The flight data recorder retrieved from Jeju Air flight 2216, which crashed killing 179 people in December. Black boxes holding the flight data and cockpit voice recorders for the flight stopped recording four minutes before the disaster, South Korea's transport ministry said Saturday.
30th anniversary of Hanshin quake marked with desire to pass on lessons
Children pray for the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake during an early morning ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the quake, in Kobe on Friday.
Tokyo couple re-arrested in ¥26 million insurance fraud murder case
Suspect Kenichi Hosoya, who was rearrested, enters Asakusa Police Station on Friday in Tokyo's Taito Ward. The handcuffs and waist ties are blurred for privacy reasons.
Hanshin quake sparked changes to Japan's disaster response policies
Self-Defense Forces members search for victims in Kobe's Nagata Ward on Jan. 28, 1995, in the wake of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
The efforts to bridge the disaster information gap, 30 years on
Roxana Oshiro and her husband gather their belongings in front of their house in Furukawacho, in Kobe's Suma Ward, after the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.
Japan looks to up the ante with more money and partners in military aid program
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo hold a joint news conference in Taguig City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Wednesday.
Possibility of Nankai Trough megaquake now 80%, government panel reports
A map of the hypocentral region of an anticipated Nankai Trough earthquake
With new regional party, Shinji Ishimaru touts rebirth
Shinji Ishimaru announces details of his new regional party at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Nippon Steel’s case against Biden probably unwinnable, attorneys argue
U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Steel Works in Braddock, Pennsylvannia, in 2019. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel face significant legal challenges in their case against the United States.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Atsuyoshi Koike, the president and CEO of Rapidus, says there is a “sense of urgency” when it comes to Japan’s efforts in manufacturing semiconductors. “We have to make sure we are successful,” he says.
Atsuyoshi Koike’s big game: Fourth down and 2 nanometers to go
By Kazuaki Nagata and Richard Meyer

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