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January 31, 2025
 

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EDITORIALS
Jan 7, 2009
New high school guidelines
The education ministry has released the draft of revised curriculum guidelines for high school, which will go into full force in fiscal 2013, replacing the current guidelines that went into effect in fiscal 2003. The new guidelines have two goals: coping with the diversification of high schools and improving...
EDITORIALS
Jan 6, 2009
Basic reform of the SDF
In its basic plan to reform the Self-Defense Forces, the Defense Ministry aims to reduce the power of non-uniformed SDF officials while giving more say to uniformed SDF officers. Uniformed officers have been dissatisfied with the level of influence wielded by non-uniformed officials in the current structure...
EDITORIALS
Jan 6, 2009
Consumer bill on back burner
After toxic "gyoza" dumplings imported from China were found tainted with the farm chemical methamidophos in January 2008, the administration of then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda put forth the idea of creating a Consumer Agency.
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2009
Open book on screening
The Textbook Authorization Council has submitted to education minister Ryu Shionoya proposals designed to make the textbook screening process more transparent. The proposals are inadequate and may pose the danger of increasing the secretiveness of the process.
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2009
Voice of local assemblies
Local assemblies are an important part of local autonomy. But they often just rubber-stamp proposals made by governors or mayors. The local government system research committee, an advisory body to the prime minister, has been discussing how to make local assemblies responsive to the real needs and wishes...
EDITORIALS
Jan 4, 2009
A bloody new year in Gaza
So much for the idea that a new year marks a new beginning. Days into 2009, the world has witnessed another bloody attack by Israel on the Gaza Strip, an assault triggered by senseless provocations by Hamas. The death toll is in the hundreds and has only worsened the desperation felt by most Palestinians...
EDITORIALS
Jan 3, 2009
A year of transition
In 2008, talk of change was everywhere. This year that talk will be realized as historic changes take place around the world. In most cases, the process will be gradual and evolutionary. But we must also be prepared for revolutionary transformations as accumulated strains and stresses produce paradigm...
EDITORIALS
Jan 1, 2009
Gingerly start to the new year
Japan greets the new year with political stagnation and dysfunction inherited from 2008. The stifling atmosphere nationwide is due not only to deepening economic difficulties caused by the global financial crisis that started in the United States but also to the failure of Prime Minister Taro Aso's administration...
EDITORIALS
Dec 31, 2008
A year of changes and dangers
If 2008 cannot be called an "annus horribilis," it is only because 2009 might hold even more shocks and surprises. Even outside the worsening economy, everything in Japan seemed a bit subprime in 2008. A midyear survey found that more than 70 percent of Japanese — the highest percentage ever — were...
EDITORIALS
Dec 30, 2008
American capitalism, battered
It was a bruising year for U.S. capitalism. Not only did the world's largest economy plunge into recession, but financial mismanagement and misjudgment triggered a global financial crisis. The question now is whether President-elect Barack Obama has learned lessons of history and can rally domestic and...
EDITORIALS
Dec 29, 2008
An oddly familiar year
Historians like to say that "history doesn't repeat itself, it rhymes." That would explain the feeling of familiarity that many experienced throughout 2008. While there was one truly unprecedented event — the election of Mr. Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States — there was also...
EDITORIALS
Dec 28, 2008
China's miracle at middle age
It has been 30 years since China embarked on the greatest economic experiment in human history. In that time, the country has emerged from poverty and chaos to become one of the leading economic powers. It is tempting to call China's astounding growth an economic miracle, but the trajectory of the last...
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.
No survivors from jet and helicopter collision in Washington, officials say
Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River Thursday morning after a passenger plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river after colliding with a U.S. Army helicopter, near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening.
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

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