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January 29, 2025
 

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EDITORIALS
Feb 2, 2012
Fed targets and transparency
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced last week that it will keep interest rates near zero in an effort to assist a stumbling U.S. economy. While that news was expected, the length of the extension was not — the Fed plans to keep rates well below 1 percent for three more years.
EDITORIALS
Feb 1, 2012
Delicate wage negotiations
The annual wage negotiations for 2012 take place in a difficult situation marked by the effects of the March 11 disasters, the floods in Thailand, prolonged deflation and the strong yen. Labor and management must search for a wage level that is not only reasonable but also will eventually contribute...
EDITORIALS
Feb 1, 2012
Epic information failure
It has surfaced that the government failed to keep minutes of meetings of various units it set up to cope with the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. In view of the disasters' historic significance and devastating...
EDITORIALS
Jan 31, 2012
Japan's pension problem
In its manifesto for the 2009 Lower House election, the Democratic Party of Japan proposed introducing a minimum monthly pension of ¥70,000 or more. In their recent outline for tax and social welfare reforms, the government and the party only stated that they will submit a proposal for a minimum pension...
EDITORIALS
Jan 31, 2012
A worrisome trade deficit
Japan's trade balance went into the red in 2011 — the first since 1980 when soaring oil prices caused a trade deficit. But the current account balance is still in the black thanks to income generated by Japan's overseas net assets amounting to some ¥250 trillion. This money is reinvested overseas...
EDITORIALS
Jan 30, 2012
A countdown in Nigeria
Awave of bombings in Nigeria has highlighted the fissures that threaten to fracture Africa's most populous nation. The violence has been launched by an Islamic militia, but it has inflamed already widespread economic and political discontent. President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a security crackdown,...
EDITORIALS
Jan 29, 2012
Smoking deaths
The health ministry is drawing up a plan to halve the smoking rate in Japan from 23.4 percent in 2009 to 10 percent. Unfortunately, the plan is tucked into a long-range health promotion plan from 2013 to 2022.
EDITORIALS
Jan 29, 2012
A victory for women
Voters in Otsu, Shiga elected Japan's youngest-ever female mayor last week. Congratulations go out to Ms. Naomi Koshi, who is only 36, almost half the age of the outgoing mayor, Mr. Makoto Mekata, 70. Mr. Mekata held the post for two terms supported by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. Ms. Koshi...
EDITORIALS
Jan 28, 2012
Balancing security and science
Scientists working on ways to detect and prevent the spread of the avian flu virus have suspended their work out of concern that it could either be used for bioterrorism or that it might escape the lab; either development could create a global pandemic and cost thousands, perhaps millions, of lives....
EDITORIALS
Jan 27, 2012
Power users on the hook
Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Jan. 17 that it will seek an average 17 percent hike in electricity rates from April for some 240,000 enterprises having contracts for 50 kW or more. It hopes to raise some ¥400 billion annually through the hike and to use the revenue to finance part of the fuel costs of...
EDITORIALS
Jan 27, 2012
Criticism without originality
The Liberal Democratic Party on Jan. 22 held a party convention in Tokyo. LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki said that this year is the time to end the Democratic Party of Japan government. The problem is that while the LDP is strong at criticizing the DPJ government, it cannot clearly present its stance...
EDITORIALS
Jan 26, 2012
Tax plan ill-timed and ill-thought
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made a policy speech before the Diet on Tuesday as it started a regular session for 2012. His main theme was a raise of the consumption tax and he called on opposition parties to take part in consultations on the matter with his ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
Fuji TV president resigns over handling of Masahiro Nakai scandal
Fuji TV President Koichi Minato (left) and Chairman Shuji Kanoh, also chairman of the broadcaster's parent company Fuji Media Holdings, bow during a news conference in Tokyo on Monday. The two have announced their resignations.
KyoAni arson suspect's death penalty finalized after appeal dropped
Shinji Aoba is taken to Kyoto Prefectural Police in May 2020. His death penalty has been finalized after he dropped an appeal.
Rwandan-backed M23 militia enters eastern Congo's largest city
Residents run away after seeing members of the M23 armed group walking through a street of the besieged Congolese city of Goma on Monday.
Trump says Microsoft is in talks to acquire TikTok
U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that he was in talks with multiple people over buying TikTok and would likely have a decision on the popular app's future in 30 days.
Neymar and Al Hilal agree to terminate contract, club says
Al Hilal's Neymar during an Asian Champions League fixture against Al Ain, in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, on Oct. 21
What we learned at Fuji TV's marathon Nakai scandal news conference
Members of the media raise their hands for questions as outgoing Fuji TV President Koichi Minato attends a news conference in Tokyo on Monday.
Kanoa Igarashi dreams big as surfing championship tour gets underway
Kanoa Igarashi surfs in the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach competition in Oahu, Hawaii, on Feb. 18.
How Japan is looking deep underground to solve its carbon problem
A pipe for transporting carbon dioxide to removal equipment at a carbon capture and storage (CCS) test site in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Hoshoryu overcomes rank-and-file wrestlers to put yokozuna promotion in sight
Hoshoryu dispatches Oho in a playoff to clinch the Emperor's Cup on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday in Tokyo.
Of sake and spirits: Indulging in Yamanashi’s best
With abundant rains and formidable humidity in summer, Japan does not seem to be an ideal land for wine, but winegrowers in Yamanashi Prefecture have gradually been able to adapt.

Podcast

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

Longform

Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.
Tracing Tsutaya Juzaburo, Edo’s media maverick
By Alex K.T. Martin

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