Search - 2015

 
 
EDITORIALS
Feb 2, 2016

Will Kuroda's gamble work?

The latest BOJ step appears to point to the limits of what the central bank alone can do to achieve its goal of ending deflation.
Japan Times
Rugby
Feb 1, 2016

JRFU lays out vision for future under new coach Joseph

Following the Japan Rugby Football Union's recent announcement that Jamie Joseph would take over as head coach of the men's national rugby union team, the governing body explained its selection process for Eddie Jones' successor and the team's plans for the future on Monday.
JAPAN / Society
Feb 1, 2016

Asylum applications of four Nepalese rejected under new refugee recognition laws

Four Nepalese asylum applicants had their refugee claims rejected in October after entering the country disguised as Buddhist priests and claiming they wanted to visit victims of the Fukushima nuclear disaster and others.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 31, 2016

Ningen Isu explores death, lust on new album

When the members of hard rock band Ningen Isu left the stage at Ozzfest Japan in 2013, they thought that was it for their Ozzfest experience. Little did the "Japanese Black Sabbath" know, Ozzy Osbourne himself would soon be calling them back for an encore.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 31, 2016

EU welfare states under siege

If freedom of movement within Europe is to be maintained — and if high inflows of non-EU citizens continue — European welfare states face a stark choice: adjust or collapse.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Jan 30, 2016

All at sea: Lack of regulations hurting tuna stocks

Adorning the walls of Kanji Nishi's three-roomed apartment are a dozen framed photos. None features his children, Shota and Chisato, who are sitting cross-legged on the floor shunning smartphones for origami artistry. Instead, Nishi is seen posing alongside a different kind of pride and joy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / AEC SPECIAL
Jan 29, 2016

Working to optimize relationships

Japan welcomes the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, or AEC, as the prosperity of the Association of South East Asian Nations is expected to also benefit Japan, the world's third-largest economy.
BUSINESS
Jan 27, 2016

Chinese tourist spending under threat as yuan slides 10% against yen

Chinese tourists tumbling off buses into the Laox duty-free store in Tokyo's bustling Ginza district say the yuan's drop against the yen may make them think twice about splurging during their shopping tours.
BUSINESS
Jan 27, 2016

Bank of Kyoto snubs Abe's plea to cut cross-shareholdings

As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urges Japanese banks to reduce their stakes in client companies, at least one lender is not playing ball.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 26, 2016

The fate of a dolphin activist in Japan's flawed democracy

Japan can change its image as the democracy where dissent is in detention by holding a debate with dolphin hunt opponent Ric O'Barry before expelling him.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 26, 2016

Pyongyang's nuclear test leads Moscow to pivot east

Russia's break from North Korea in the wake of its latest nuclear test should be viewed as a tactical, short-term decision aimed at improving relations with Japan and bolstering its international reputation as a diplomatic arbiter.
Rugby
Jan 25, 2016

Horie named Top League season MVP

Shota Horie of the Panasonic Wild Knights was on Monday selected as the best player of the 2015-16 Top League season in Japanese rugby's banner year.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jan 25, 2016

Space development program a blackhole for public funds

Japan has poured huge sums of money into its space exploration effort, but with very little to show for it.
BUSINESS
Jan 25, 2016

Taiyo Pacific sees investment shift to Japan shares as 'sexy' China cools

The China-led stock slump that's taking Japanese equities down with it will ultimately prove a boon for investors in Japan, according to Taiyo Pacific Partners LP, which manages $2.2 billion, including money from the world's biggest pension fund.
EDITORIALS
Jan 24, 2016

Reviewing the feed-in tariff system

The government will have to play a delicate game when it revises the feed-in tariff system for promoting renewable energy.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jan 24, 2016

False emissions reporting undermines China's pollution fight

Widespread misreporting of harmful gas emissions by Chinese electricity firms is threatening the country's attempts to rein in pollution, with government policies aimed at generating cleaner power struggling to halt the practice.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 23, 2016

Can farmed tuna save the bluefin from extinction?

Conservationists have long warned that bluefin tuna stocks are declining. While the development of aquaculture may offer an alternative, it doesn't come without a few headaches of its own.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 23, 2016

Giants hurler Sugano aims for winning season

Tomoyuki Sugano returned to Japan recently after spending several days training in Hawaii. He told reporters at Narita Airport that his workouts yielded great results and allowed that "my condition is the best it's been in three years."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 23, 2016

Mounting student debt may cost society dearly

The education ministry conducted a survey in 2014 of institutes of higher learning and found that the average yearly tuition for private universities was ¥864,384. In addition, the average "entry fee" (nyūgakukin) was ¥261,089. Adding other expenses, the ministry estimated it cost a student ¥1.43...
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jan 21, 2016

Chinese currency chaos

China's 'supply-side structural reform' to deal with production overcapacity includes the risky strategy of devaluing the yuan.
EDITORIALS
Jan 21, 2016

Uncertain annual wage talks

It remains to be seen whether workers at small and medium-size firms will benefit from raises in this year's annual wage negotiations.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Jan 20, 2016

Hatoyama dreams of a Japan anchored within a united Asia

Former leader apologizes for his failures as PM and shares his views on Fukushima, Tokyo 2020 and his hopes for Okinawa, Japan and the wider region.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 17, 2016

Rockers back number slide toward becoming the go-to band for TV drama theme tunes

back number "Chandelier" (Universal Music Japan)
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 17, 2016

Abenomics: state capitalism

Shinzo Abe's economic policies aren't really neoclassic or Keynesian. Rather they align more with the state capitalism practiced in China, Russia and Singapore.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Jan 17, 2016

Time for fun and games about to end for new Giants skipper Takahashi

New Yomiuri Giants manager Yoshinobu Takahashi was all smiles at the Dome Kickoff party last week. He was introduced to a loud ovation, took part in a light-hearted talk show and got a kick out of seeing his batting form imitated by a couple of former NPB players. Current Giants star Shinnosuke Abe,...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 15, 2016

What happens after China's bubble goes pop?

Will China be a source of stability and strength for the world economy — or the opposite?
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 15, 2016

J. League teams gearing back up after short time off

The Jan. 1 Emperor's Cup final brought the curtain down on the 2015 Japanese soccer season, but already J. League clubs are gearing up for the new campaign ahead.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 14, 2016

Tao takes an innovative approach to drum shows

The slogan goes, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Drum troupe Tao, however, thinks a successful show in Sin City could be the springboard to bigger things around the world.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.