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EDITORIALS
Jul 29, 2014

Reflecting citizens' views on justice

Japan's Supreme Court decision to reduce the prison terms of a couple convicted of fatally abusing their daughter highlights the difficulty in balancing the need, on one hand, to have ordinary citizens' views reflected in criminal trials through their participation as lay judges and, on the other, to maintain consistency with judicial precedents.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jul 29, 2014

Abe's flawed contingency plan

If the barren state of Tokyo-Seoul ties continues, Shinzo Abe's call for the exercise of the right to collective self-defense as well as the protection of Japanese citizens on the Korean Peninsula in an emergency is doomed to become pie in the sky.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 28, 2014

Nissan profit beats estimates on gains in China, U.S.

Nissan Motor Co. on Monday reported profit that beat analysts' estimates as deliveries rose in China and the United States, its two biggest markets.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 28, 2014

China keeps fishing fleet connected in disputed waters

On China's southern Hainan island, a fishing boat captain shows a Reuters reporter around his aging vessel. He has one high-tech piece of kit, however: a satellite navigation system that gives him a direct link to the Chinese coast guard should he run into bad weather or a Philippine or Vietnamese patrol...
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 27, 2014

What economic policies will fit the 'growth strategy'?

The Abe government has decided on its new economic growth strategy — the 'third arrow' of 'Abenomics' — but what of today's production systems, which are quite different from the models depicted in economics textbooks?
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 27, 2014

U.S. evacuates embassy after 'free-wheeling militia violence' in Libya

The United States evacuated its embassy in Libya on Saturday, driving diplomats across the border into Tunisia under heavy military escort after escalating clashes broke out between rival militias in Tripoli.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Jul 26, 2014

Is Japan sinking further into 'Aum-ification'?

The world — this insignificant little spinning rock we call home — is nearing its end. Armageddon lies ahead: violence, upheaval, horror. The normal human mind shrinks from the mere thought, but "higher consciousness" embraces it. Higher consciousness sees things in a wider perspective. Where you...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jul 23, 2014

Retirees swell national debt treating clinics as clubs

Kaoru Ishiyama gets to an orthopedic clinic in Kawasaki early so he can chat with about 20 other retirees while they wait outside for it to open, each sitting on folding chairs brought from home.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 21, 2014

Nigerian journalists fear state censorship

Nigeria's press is traditionally free to write almost anything about anyone — whether it's true or not. But reporters fear a government sensitive to criticism is now cracking down, especially on coverage of the battle against Boko Haram.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS / OLYMPIC NOTEBOOK
Jul 19, 2014

New sports center symbol of Haiti's recovery

Haiti's recovery from the 2010 earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation is a slow, difficult process.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health / FOCUS
Jul 16, 2014

Chinese town trades lead poison test results for milk

After a test showed farmer Zhao Heping's toddler grandson had high levels of lead in his blood two years ago, local officials in China's Hunan province offered the child medicine, he says — and milk. In return, Zhao says, officials asked that he hand over his grandson's blood test results.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 15, 2014

YMO's Yukihiro Takahashi recruits Towa Tei, Cornelius, Yoshinori Sunahara, Tomohiko Gondo and Leo Imai for an impressive supergroup

One of the unspoken rules in the progress-fixated world of electronic music is that you don't get bonus points for dwelling on past glories. So when Yukihiro Takahashi — drummer, vocalist and dapper elder statesman of electro-pop — convened a star cast of musicians at Tokyo's Ex Theater Roppongi...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 9, 2014

Goldman's Japan M&A chief sees hunger for more deals

When a 210-year-old vinegar company bought Unilever's Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauce business last month, it showed that Japanese firms are becoming more adventurous in their search for growth, said Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s national head of mergers and acquisitions.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 9, 2014

Tokyo to inspect 'dappo' narcotics sellers

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to inspect stores suspected of selling quasi-legal narcotics, after the Cabinet called for a crackdown on so-called “dappo” drugs.
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2014

North Korea test-fires more missiles, but abduction talks likely to continue

North Korea's launch Wednesday morning of what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles prompted a fresh protest from Tokyo, but appears unlikely to derail ongoing talks over the abduction of Japanese nationals.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 8, 2014

Abe declares war on quasi-legal 'dappo' drugs

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declares war against quasi-legal highs known as “dappo” drugs, pledging to adopt a speedier process by which regulators can identify and outlaw products with dangerous narcotic or hallucinogenic ingredients.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 8, 2014

Conductor Hubert Soudant to put down his Tokyo Symphony Orchestra baton

Dutch conductor Hubert Soudant will make his final appearances with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra this month, before his contract with the organization officially expires in August.
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2014

Electricity gold rush heralds end for monopolies

Watami Co., a restaurant chain known best as a hangout for salarymen, is getting into the business of selling power — and it isn't alone.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jul 3, 2014

Nash returns to Toyama Grouses for third season at the helm

With a familiar face still in charge, the Toyama Grouses will resume their quest for a championship when the season tips off in October.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 2, 2014

Mizuho beats Nomura in bond sales as spreads sink

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. overtook Nomura Holdings Inc. as the No. 1 underwriter of corporate bonds in the first six months as yield premiums on corporate debt fell to their lowest level in eight years.

Longform

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake