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Philip Brasor
Journalist Shiori Ito's documentary "Black Box Diaries," which follows her own investigation into her sexual assault and struggle for justice, was one of 19 Japanese films that screened at the Busan International Film Festival this month.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 18, 2024
Japan-based features generate buzz at Busan International Film Festival
With 278 films on offer, Asia's largest film festival tackled heavy themes such as assisted suicide and struggles faced by migrants.
What would the Fuji Rock Festival have looked like if it had been an urban festival? Not like this, that's for sure.
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Aug 2, 2024
The Fuji Rock experience is as much about its natural setting as it is about music
Having attended every edition of Fuji Rock except one, Philip Brasor believes the concert's natural setting is one of its best draws.
The members of Glay — (from left) Jiro, Teru, Takuro and Hisashi — are celebrating 30 years of rocking out as a band.
CULTURE / Music
Jul 12, 2024
Glay celebrates three decades of rock greatness
The band's 12-month-long Glay Expo takes the idea of a concert tour to the next level for the anniversary of its major label debut.
Tokyo International Film Festival celebrated the 120th anniversary of Yasujiro Ozu’s birth with screenings of the director’s films, including 1953’s “Tokyo Story.” The festival also held a symposium featuring three world-class filmmakers discussing Ozu’s contributions: Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Jia Zhangke and Kelly Reichardt.
CULTURE / Film
Nov 9, 2023
Kelly Reichardt: 'Yasujiro Ozu truly tries to achieve stillness'
The indie director discusses Ozu's cinematic impact on the 120th anniversary of his birth at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Busan International Film Festival host Song Kang-ho presents the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award to veteran Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat at the 2023 edition of the Asian film festival.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 18, 2023
Film fans flock to Busan festival despite scandal
Busan International Film Festival remains a prestige Asian movie event amid internal strife and budget cuts.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 18, 2023
How Japanese media companies enabled Johnny’s abuse
The power dynamics of Japan's entertainment and media industries ultimately meant that accusations of sexual abuse were not investigated.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 3, 2023
South Korean film 'Hommage' looks to lost names and memories
In her latest movie, director Shin Su-won illuminates the struggles women behind the camera have faced in her country's film industry.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 21, 2022
Busan International Film Festival benefits from the 'Parasite' bump
Japan had a strong showing with a new section focused on the country's cinema and the closing film at the 10-day event in South Korea.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 25, 2021
COVID-19 continued to dominate media coverage in 2021. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Domestic papers turn their attention to the plight of foreign residents, while we hand out gongs for Japan's media personalities of the year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 18, 2021
Sapporo faces uphill battle convincing public about 2030 Winter Games bid
About half of all respondents to a 2014 survey said they were worried about how much the Games would cost. A lot has changed since then.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 11, 2021
Media divided over impact of immigration law revisions
The business community wants the government to allow them to hire more foreign workers, but some members of the public are anxious about allowing more foreign people to live in Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 4, 2021
Opposition party sets sights on expense allowances
Japan's lawmakers each receive u00a51 million per month to help pay for things such as postage and transportation, regardless of how many days the recipient works.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 27, 2021
Reporter’s death puts spotlight on shifting media landscape
Cash-strapped news outlets are increasingly asking staff to do more and more work, some of which has nothing to do with journalism.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 20, 2021
Lawsuit seeks to halt execution of death row inmates in Japan without advance notice
Prisoners in Japan are currently informed of their impending executions one or two hours before they are carried out.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 13, 2021
Toyota struggling to keep up with demand for electric vehicles
Toyota has been stubborn about trying to extend the life of the internal combustion engine as long as possible while other automakers are pushing electric models.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Nov 6, 2021
‘Fanatic’ documentary deals with what happens when your favorite K-pop star breaks bad
A new documentary film titled “Fanatic” explores the world of K-pop fandom. Can it also teach us something about the fans of J-pop stars?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 30, 2021
The political advantages of the ‘parent lottery’
The term 'oyagacha' is widely used for the idea that 'you can't choose your parents.' When you're born into a political dynasty, however, that's not such a bad thing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 23, 2021
Behind the scenes, younger bureaucrats are fed up with overtime
Many young bureaucrats are working late to make leading party lawmakers look good, and it's taking a toll.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 16, 2021
It’s up to Kishida to put Suga’s climate goals in action
Fumio Kishida inherits the lofty climate goals set by his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 9, 2021
Japanese Communist Party struggles to shake image tied to its name
The incident? A minor trespassing violation. The coverage? Well, it depends on the news source that you follow.

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?