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November 22, 2024
 

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Brian Ashcraft

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Brian Ashcraft
Brian Ashcraft is a senior contributing editor at Kotaku and has been writing about video games for The Japan Times since 2007. He is also the author of two books, "Arcade Mania!" and "Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential." A graduate of Cornell University, Ashcraft has called Osaka home for over a decade.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Apr 6, 2011
Postquake, Japan's game companies put titles on hold
Japan is still reeling. The devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11 left thousands dead and many more homeless or unaccounted for. Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the quake the worst crisis Japan has faced since the end of World War II. The earthquake's very real impact has been felt everywhere...
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Mar 2, 2011
The Nintendo 3DS faces stiff competition, and not just from other game consoles
In 2004, Nintendo released the Nintendo DS, a dual-screen gaming handheld that was revised several times over the next few years as the DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL (LL in Japan) and went on to become one of the most popular consoles ever. The Kyoto-based gamemaker is obviously hoping to repeat that success...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Feb 2, 2011
Handheld wars redux
For more than a decade, Nintendo ruled handheld gaming. Challengers, such as the Atari Lynx and the Sega Game Gear appeared, but Nintendo batted them away one by one. Only Sony and its PlayStation Portable could withstand the Nintendo onslaught. And Sony isn't going away anytime soon — launching a...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Jan 5, 2011
The best of last year's games and looking forward to 2011
Last year was a rough one for Japan. China overtook the country as the world's second largest economy, yet another prime minister upped and resigned and the economy was stagnate as ever. Things weren't much better for the game industry.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Dec 1, 2010
Microsoft taps schoolgirl idols for Xbox 360 Kinect launch
During the launch of Micosoft's new controller-free motion peripheral, Kinect, on Nov. 20 in Akihabara, Tokyo, a pair of schoolgirl idols stood smiling before a line of about 150 eager gamers — the guy at the head of the line had camped out for two days in a cardboard box with "Xbox 360" painted on...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Nov 3, 2010
Video games burst through borders with collaborations between companies
At a press conference last month, Fukuoka-based game studio Level-5 dropped an unexpected bombshell. Its upcoming "Professor Layton" puzzle game would have a very different feature from its previous games: the appearance of Capcom's lawyer sleuth, Phoenix Wright. Fans of the series were reeling.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Oct 6, 2010
Nintendo 3DS features high definition but higher prices
Nintendo has dubbed its new portable device the Nintendo 3DS, which is a nod to its 3-D capabilities. Unlike 3-D offerings from rival Sony, Nintendo's hand-held does not require 3-D glasses, as the screen itself can reproduce the 3-D effect for users. It's a marvel of sorts — and so is the price tag...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Sep 1, 2010
'Gran Turismo 5' gets Japan release date; Tokyo gears up for games show
Gentlemen (and ladies, too), start your engines. Racing simulator "Gran Turismo 5," has been given a release date. It will be roaring into Japanese retailers come Nov. 3 — a day behind its North American release date of Nov. 2.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Sep 30, 2009
Tokyo Game Show fails to impress
The theme for the 2009 Tokyo Game Show is "Game, it's so energetic!" Ironic, as the energy for this year's show was less palpable than for previous ones.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Feb 25, 2009
Kristen Kreuk: An actress indifferent
Actress Kristen Kreuk is upfront about not being a gamer.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Feb 25, 2009
Hollywood's passion for the video game
Video games aren't just for playing. More and more, they're Hollywood's attempt to lure folks off their sofas and into movie theaters.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Oct 22, 2008
Xbox 360 steals Tokyo Game Show
The biggest announcement at the four-day Tokyo Game Show 2008 (Oct. 9-12) at Makuhari Messe convetion center in Chiba Prefecture was not for a Japanese title and not by a Japanese company.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 2, 2007
When women wield the DS
Imagine your typical video gamer. Male, aged 18-35, right?
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Sep 26, 2007
Tokyo Game Show misses Nintendo
This year's Tokyo Game Show was supposed to be bigger, but that doesn't mean the industry event was better. It was expanded from three days (one press, two public days) to four days (two press, two public) as Sony, Microsoft and third-party video game publishers played host at this year's Tokyo Game...
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

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

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
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By Kathryn Wortley

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