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JAPAN / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Oct 20, 2019

Fukuoka forks out to modify prefectural assembly building ahead of April nationwide smoking ban

With rules banning indoor smoking set to take effect in April under the revised Health Promotion Law, the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly decided to set up smoking areas in its building from Oct. 1.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Regional voices: Chubu
Oct 20, 2019

With surprise backing from workers, Toyota group firm dares to go completely smoke-free

Toyoda Gosei Co., part of the Toyota Motor Corp. group, has decided to ban smoking in all its facilities nationwide from January.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Oct 20, 2019

Muroran community spot fosters international diversity in Hokkaido

A community space in Muroran, Hokkaido, is connecting residents with others on the island who hail from countries as diverse as Thailand, Canada, South Korea and the United States.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 19, 2019

Food for the soul: Traditional gyōza makers and eaters in Utsunomiya try to keep the dumplings rolling

Albert Kuwano Bakonyvari beckons me inside his factory's steam chamber, where hundreds of plump, white, crescent-shaped gyōza dumplings are neatly lined on stacks of trays fitted in steel racks, waiting to be sent to the freezer.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 18, 2019

2019 Japan Series managers take trip down memory lane on eve of Game 1

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo admitted to feeling a little bit nostalgic on the eve of this year's Japan Series matchup against the Yomiuri Giants.
Reader Mail
Oct 18, 2019

No treaty basis for U.S. Marines in Okinawa

Article 6 of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security states: "For the purpose of contributing to the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East, the United States of America is granted the use by its land, air and naval forces of facilities...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 17, 2019

Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii sets the bar high with new concert series

Nobuyuki Tsujii, a piano who has been blind since birth, talks about his upcoming projects and his friendship with violinist Fumiaki Miura
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 16, 2019

'The Promised Land': Zeze's latest is far from heaven-sent

Takahisa Zeze unveils his latest feature, an ambitious film based on two short stories by best-selling author Shuichi Yoshida
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 16, 2019

Singer Misia explores the language of music

Singer Misia possesses an astonishing vocal range of five octaves but equally impressive is her humanitarian work abroad.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 15, 2019

CEATEC 2019 features driverless shuttle bus and avatar tech among exhibits

Organizers said this year's four-day event has brought together 787 exhibitors from a broad spectrum of sectors.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Oct 12, 2019

Leaving the urban jungle for northern wilds

Having traded city life in Tokyo for the nature of Chena, Alaska, Masako Tokida says she can't imagine returning to an urban existence in Japan any more.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Oct 11, 2019

With appeal of Tepco acquittal, thousands hit by Fukushima nuclear disaster seek closure

Plaintiffs have appealed a ruling handed down by the Tokyo District Court in mid-September that found three former Tokyo Electric Power Co. executives not guilty of professional negligence. A class action lawsuit against the executives claimed they had failed to apply the proper safety measures to prevent...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Oct 11, 2019

Gifu women turn plastic waste found on beaches into accessories

Four women in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, are creating accessories made from plastic fragments collected at beaches in Aichi Prefecture, selling them amid growing global concerns over the microplastic waste in the ocean.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Oct 10, 2019

Chocolate defined by decadence

Chocolate defined by decadence
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 9, 2019

Tackling writer's block at the Japan Writers Conference

Now in its 13th year, the Japan Writers Conference aims to provide a place for creative thinkers to meet their peers, learn a few tricks and get motivated to finally start on that novel.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 8, 2019

Hiromi Uehara drops the band and steps out alone

The pianist returns to solo work for her latest album, 'Spectrum,' 10 years after her last solo release
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Oct 7, 2019

Raptors to defend crown in post-Leonard era

The Toronto Raptors' magic-carpet ride last season lifted the franchise to new heights of popularity throughout Canada.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Oct 6, 2019

Defending champions Alvark win second straight to open season

The Alvark Tokyo improved to 2-0 on the new season with a hard-earned 94-84 victory over the visiting Niigata Albirex BB on Sunday afternoon.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 6, 2019

The white rose that blossoms in the rain

White Rose Co. invented the plastic umbrella in the 1950s when Mitsuo Sudo was inspired by vinyl tablecloths brought to Japan by occupation forces. Now it's just one of few makers weathering the storm of cheap, mass-produced imports.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 6, 2019

Film director Hirokazu Kore-eda steps out of his comfort zone

Award-winning director makes rare move overseas with latest release in a bid to experience various types of filmmaking.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Oct 5, 2019

Floresta's doughnuts get a (sort of) spooky spin for Halloween

'Nature doughnuts' chain Floresta is getting into the spooky Halloween spirit with a corporate tie-up with Sanrio's kawaii My Melody characters.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 5, 2019

Iranians tried to hack Trump's re-election campaign, sources say

A hacking group that appears to be linked to the Iranian government attempted to break into U.S. President Donald Trump's re-election campaign but were unsuccessful, sources familiar with the operation told Reuters on Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Oct 4, 2019

Sixty years after deadly Ise Bay typhoon, experts say Chubu disaster prevention needs an update

The Ise Bay typhoon, a killer storm that swept through the Chubu region on Sept. 26, 1959, claiming more than 5,000 lives, became an opportunity for the nation to make great progress in disaster prevention efforts, including the construction of seawalls and river levees, as well as the enactment of the...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Oct 4, 2019

Fukushima Prefecture to conduct survey to better understand foreign residents' needs

Amid a growing number of foreign residents, Fukushima Prefecture is set to initiate a survey in October that will look into their needs and concerns.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 3, 2019

England ready for Argentina clash

England head coach Eddie Jones on Thursday paid tribute to Japan's "outstanding" Rugby World Cup win over Ireland, before turning his attention back to his team's crunch match against Argentina this weekend.
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Niseko Winter Special
Sep 27, 2019

Visitors invited to experience winter sports mecca

When it comes to winter sports, one would be hard pressed to find a resort area more impressive than Niseko in Hokkaido. Renowned for its high-quality powder and varied runs, Niseko has become an international mecca for winter sports enthusiasts who flock to its resorts every year to get their fill of...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Sep 27, 2019

Morimoto Kyoto: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto opens second restaurant in Japan

In an alternate reality, Masaharu Morimoto would be fielding questions from sports journalists. He might even be talking about his transfer from Japan’s top-flight baseball league to Major League Baseball in the United States.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?