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July 17, 2024
 

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Philip Brasor
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Aug 7, 2010
The strategy behind non-alcoholic beer
Non-alcoholic beers have been a big hit for beer makers in Japan, especially when you factor in the fact that they aren't taxed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Aug 5, 2010
Two tales of tobacco sales
Tobacco companies face a pair of problems: how to respond to an upcoming tobacco tax hike as well as the best way to prevent minors from smoking.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Aug 1, 2010
TV examines the morals of the story
The new Hollywood spy thriller "Salt" has received good reviews, even if a sizable portion of them admit that the plot is preposterous. What critics appreciate is the protagonist's uncertain nature as a hero. Angelina Jolie is a CIA operative outed by a Russian defector as a sleeper agent. The question...
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 30, 2010
The road to digital TV is not paved with enough antennas
The government is desperately urging homeowners to make the switch to digital TV, but will promotion alone do the trick?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 29, 2010
The Diet thinks about cutting some calories
Minna no To threatens to shake up the Diet with legislation that reduces government salaries. Pity the fool that contests it.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 26, 2010
Eel economics: Why unagi is so popular (and expensive)
On the 'hot day of the ox' Japanese traditionally eat eel, and often pay a lot of money to do so. Why eel? Glad you asked.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 25, 2010
A bailout by any other name
The gap between rich and poor seems to be widening worldwide, the result of government deregulation and the dominance of market-led economic policies. As businesses are given freer rein to do whatever they want, wages at the lower end of the pay scale drop. Government revenues consequently shrink, thus...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 23, 2010
Post office attempts to reverse non-regular employment trend
Japan Post bucks the trend toward non-regular employees by offering its workers a shot at regular employment.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 19, 2010
Tale of the tape: shoplifiting solution or just a band-aid?
Shop-lifting is becoming a growing problem in Japan and using a piece of tape as proof of purchase is probably not the most effective way to stop it.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 18, 2010
Japan's media laps up poll parade
One of the funniest images to emerge from last week's Upper House election was the row of Liberal Democratic Party bigwigs pointing their forefingers to the sky in unison and flashing big stupid grins. The big stupid grins were a reaction to the party's supposed comeback, since they had just won more...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 14, 2010
The bonus is in the bank
When bonuses aren't spent then the economy stays in the doldroms and, consequently, bonuses shrink.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 12, 2010
Wanted: Train driver wannabe with money
Isumi Tetsudo is making train lovers' dreams come true but for how long?
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 11, 2010
SMAP bled for rotten tomatoes
Last week, the Asahi Shimbun published an article about the suicide of actor-singer Park Yong Ha. The pieceanalyzed South Korean show business to ascertain why so many stars have killed themselves in recent years, and concluded that their relationships with management agencies grind them down. Park has...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 7, 2010
Annals of Cheap: Kappa Sushi
Kaiten sushi is cheap and Kappa Sushi makes it even cheaper. Until July 16.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 5, 2010
Debtors left in the dark after new law goes into effect
Poorly publicized restrictions on personal loans could end up blindsiding a huge number of cash-strapped households.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 4, 2010
Playing spot the political difference
The central dynamic in politics is the tug-of-war between conservatism and liberalism, and while it's always been that way, the conflict is particularly contentious these days owing to a global media culture that sees nothing wrong with taking sides. Differences are starker and less rational. In America,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / A SCORCHING SUMMER SCHEDULE
Jul 2, 2010
JAY-Z: Summer Sonic
Japan's urban rock festival gets more urban every year, at least musically. Headliner Jay-Z, husband of last year's headliner, Beyonce, and the richest rapper in the world, hasn't visited Japan often, especially since he came out of retirement in 2006. He and Stevie Wonder are the perfect cappers to...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 1, 2010
Small fry try to make a splash at the fishmonger
Japan may be glutton when it comes to tuna, but if it learns to broaden its palate, there might be a few more fish left in the sea.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jun 28, 2010
How cheap is your love? Diamond appraiser hit
Does love take a hit when diamond appraisers start shifting standards?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 27, 2010
The guy just needs a home
It's difficult to decide which spelling to use. In Japan, the name of North Korea's striker at the World Cup in South Africa is usually rendered as Chong Tese. North Korea spells it Jong Tae Se, but in those instances where South Korea reports on the 26-year-old soccer player, it's Jeong Dae Se or Jung...
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
Japan finds a 'stealth' cure for zombie businesses: Let them fail
A worker at Sakai Seisakusyo prepares to transport metal rods at its factory in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, on July 8.
Trump makes his grand RNC entrance with a bandaged ear and a VP pick
Former U.S. President Donald Trump during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Monday
China’s economic growth comes in worse than expected
Pedestrians in the Wangfujing shopping area in Beijing on July 11, 2024. China's economic growth in the second quarter was lower than forecast, adding pressure on Chinese leaders to lift confidence at the Chinese Communist Party's third plenum this week.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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