Morearticles

 
Menu
Search
 
January 31, 2025
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

More Editorials stories

EDITORIALS
Apr 18, 2009
A strong start for Mr. Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama campaigned on a platform of "change." Change was plainly visible throughout his first overseas trip as president. Perhaps the most compelling sign of change was not of his doing: Throughout the weeklong tour of Europe, Mr. Obama was greeted with an enthusiasm that posed a...
EDITORIALS
Apr 17, 2009
Pakistan's struggle
"Pakistan is in a struggle for its survival," acknowledges President Asif Ali Zardari. He is not exaggerating. Earlier this month, the country suffered three suicide bombings in 24 hours and the Pakistan Taliban has vowed to maintain that murderous pace if the government does not halt its support for...
EDITORIALS
Apr 16, 2009
A message for North Korea
The 15-member United National Security Council has unanimously adopted a presidential statement condemning the April 5 rocket launch by North Korea, allegedly to place a communication satellite in orbit. The statement said that the launch is "in contravention of Security Council resolution 1718." The...
EDITORIALS
Apr 16, 2009
Panel proposals fall short
People's trust in the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has fallen due to various problems such as a shortage of doctors, especially obstetricians, pediatrics and emergency specialists, irregularities related to pension premium payments records and confusion linked to the health insurance system for...
EDITORIALS
Apr 15, 2009
Humiliation in Thailand
Who should be more embarrassed after the cancellation of the ASEAN summit that was to have been held last weekend in Pattaya, Thailand: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as whole? Mr. Abhisit is certainly in the hot seat after insisting that the summit...
EDITORIALS
Apr 14, 2009
Record-breaking stimulus
The government has compiled the largest-ever economic stimulus package in the form of a fiscal 2009 supplementary budget, involving actual spending of ¥15 trillion. This is much larger than the past biggest stimulus package of ¥7.6 trillion, which the Obuchi administration compiled as a third supplementary...
EDITORIALS
Apr 14, 2009
Recession and suicides
The National Police Agency has announced that 32,249 people killed themselves in 2008, making it the 11th consecutive year that the annual suicide rate has topped 30,000. The NPA added that 2,645 people killed themselves in January and 2,470 in February this year. The January figure is 340 more than...
EDITORIALS
Apr 12, 2009
Managers and overtime
A recent compromise mediated by the Tokyo High Court settled an important issue of overtime pay. McDonald's Corporation Japan agreed to pay ¥10 million to a worker who filed for correct compensation for his position. The case was an important milestone for employees long accustomed to unpaid overtime....
EDITORIALS
Apr 12, 2009
Breathing easier at JR stations
Tokyo became just a little less smoky from April 1 this year. As new students and employees began their first days of school or work, East Japan Railway began its first day of a smoking ban at all JR stations within a 50 km radius from Tokyo station. The ban is a welcome one for non-smokers, a hassle...
EDITORIALS
Apr 11, 2009
Restricting online drug sales
The health and welfare ministry has plans to prohibit in principle mail-order and Internet sales of some drugs from June 1. Such sales reportedly totaled about ¥80 billion in 2007. It is true that using these methods to sell drugs can pose safety issues. On the other hand, some people benefit from mail-order...
EDITORIALS
Apr 10, 2009
Happy golden anniversary
We congratulate the Emperor and Empress on their golden wedding anniversary. On April 10, 1959, the entire nation celebrated their wedding as TV and radio stations broadcast live the horse-drawn carriage parade carrying the newly-wed couple from the Imperial Palace to their residence.
EDITORIALS
Apr 10, 2009
Wanted: campaign platforms
The focus of Japanese politics is shifting to the question of when Prime Minister Taro Aso will dissolve the Lower House for a snap election. The Lower House members can retain their seats for slightly more than five months at most because their term expires Sept. 10. In addition, Mr. Aso, whose government...
Japan begins feeling the pain of BOJ rate hikes more concretely
People were more concerned about the direct and specific impact of the Bank of Japan's latest rate hike on their personal lives, according to an artificial intelligence-driven analysis of various platforms, including social media.
Sumo’s newest yokozuna is all smiles — but major challenges await
Hoshoryu (front, second from left) celebrates after being promoted to yokozuna on Wednesday in Tokyo.
Japanese man ends his 6,000 kilometer Africa rickshaw trek in Cape Town
Yuji "Gump" Suzuki, the Japanese runner and social media sensation, runs with supporters while pushing his rickshaw as he nears his goal in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday.
Investigators seek to salvage aircraft after deadly Washington crash
Debris at the site of a deadly plane crash in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday.
Cherry blossom season predicted to begin in Tokyo on March 21
Tokyo is expected to lead the season with its first cherry blossoms on March 21, followed by Fukuoka, Kochi and Hiroshima prefectures as well as the city of Yokohama on March 22.
For two weeks only, cold-water yellowtail can give you chills
Yellowtail caught during the coldest period of the year is delicious enough — but paired with a classic method of marinade and pan-searing, it's divine.
In meat- and fish-loving Japan, veganism is making a comeback
Though vegan restaurants have been on the upswing since 2017, Japanese vegans still lack a wide variety of options.
Who are the key figures involved in the growing Fuji TV scandal?
Fuji TV adviser Hisashi Hieda in 2005
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.

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Site designer on why expos matter more than ever
Site designer on why expos matter more than ever

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER