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EDITORIALS
May 22, 2014

Risks for the economy

Japan's gross domestic product for January-March increases by a higher-than-expected 1.5 percent from the previous quarter, driven partly by last-minute purchases by consumers ahead of the three-percentage-point hike in the consumption tax April 1.
BUSINESS
May 19, 2014

Condo supply in Tokyo dives

The number of condominiums listed for sale in the greater Tokyo region plunged almost 40 percent in April from a year earlier, falling for the third straight month, a research institute said Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
May 18, 2014

Success of 'Abenomics' hinges on immigration policy

Foreign investment funds generally shun countries with shrinking populations, and this means “Abenomics” can't succeed unless Japan opens its door to more foreigners, an immigration expert warns.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 8, 2014

'Blue Jasmine'

We love watching rich people be rich and happy, but maybe we love it more when the cash stops flowing. There's a Japanese phrase for that, and roughly translated, it goes like this: "The unhappiness of others tastes of honey." In that vein, Woody Allen's newest work, "Blue Jasmine" — a film that stirred...
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2014

Chinese cities' four modernizations

So far, China has largely taken a 'Field of Dreams' approach to urbanization: 'Build it, and they will come.' Now the effectiveness of these investments will depend on how skillfully they are adapted to each locality's distinct resources, needs and aspirations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE
May 4, 2014

Jewelry innovator Shiraki puts ethics at the heart of beauty

Natsuko Shiraki, a jewelry designer and CEO of Tokyo-based jeweler Hasuna Co., vividly remembers the shocking experience in southern India that changed her life.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / JAPAN TIMES GONE BY
May 3, 2014

Empress-Dowager Shoken laid to rest; crackdown in Shanghai's foreign quarters; Olympic preparations; Lebanese businessman Japan's top tax-payer

One of the notable landmarks in the modern history of Japan was the funeral ceremony held Saturday night for Her Majesty, the late Empress-Dowager (Shoken, empress consort of Emperor Meiji), who passed away on April 9.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 3, 2014

Google is sued for abuse of market power

Google has been sued for allegedly abusing its market power by forcing makers of handheld devices that use its Android operating system to also provide its applications.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 29, 2014

Ferry crisis transports South Korea back to 1997

If South Korean President Park Geun-hye acts boldly and transparently to investigate the many failures that led to the Sewol ferry tragedy, her administration can still recover, and the nation's loss of face globally will be fleeting.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 28, 2014

Tradable gains in Spain rain hope for recovery

Though domestic investment is constrained by credit availability, major European and Latin American multinationals have begun investing in the Spanish economy, attracted by its enhanced competitive posture, structural flexibility and recovery in domestic demand.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 27, 2014

The exodus from Everest

The Everest circus is leaving town. With the decision to cancel climbing this year, Sherpas from the 39 expeditions camped at the foot of the mountain are dropping tents and packing gear. Helicopters fly over the Icefall that leads into the Western Cwm, recovering equipment stashed there before the tragic...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 11, 2014

Tax-free NISA luring individual investors

A spring downpour last week wasn't enough to stop Norito Nagahama from heading to a central-Tokyo brokerage to study up on Japanese stocks.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 28, 2014

Panasonic hesitant about investing in Musk's huge Tesla battery factory

Panasonic Corp., Tesla Motors Inc.'s primary supplier of lithium-ion battery cells for its electric Model S sedans, has not committed to investing in a massive U.S. battery plant proposed by Tesla's Elon Musk.
EDITORIALS
Mar 26, 2014

A year into the deflation fight

A year after taking the helm of the Bank of Japan, Haruhiko Kuroda appears on course to achieving the targets he set in the quest to rein in Japan's protracted deflation and put the economy on a growth path. Unfortunately bank lending to businesses has not expanded as hoped.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 21, 2014

U.S. scrap dealer finds $20 million Faberge egg

When a scrap metal dealer bought a golden ornament at a junk market, he had no idea he was now the owner of a $20 million Faberge egg hailing from the court of imperial Russia.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 18, 2014

China rocked by fallen tiger, shaken dragon

It wasn't clear whether Chinese President Xi Jingping would actually prosecute Zhou Yongkang — thus breaking the Communist Party's unwritten rule of immunity for retired members of the Politburo Standing Committee — until the Chinese media revealed shocking details of corruption involving Zhou's family and former subordinates.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 17, 2014

Automation set to affect our job prospects

Who needs an army of lawyers when you have a computer?
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 11, 2014

Ukraine batters a broken world

Surely the prize for the most cynical news item of the month should go to the announcement from Oslo that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2014.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 6, 2014

Osaka challenges Tokyo with tallest skyscraper

Japan's tallest building will open Friday in Osaka, as Asia's third-biggest metropolitan economy aims to lure tourists and stem businesses from moving to Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Mar 1, 2014

Why marry, or worry, when we can be alone together in ohitorisama Japan?

As people increasingly choose to live and do things alone, is Japan evolving into an 'ohitorisama' nation? Time will tell.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 24, 2014

Good reasons to loathe Big Tech

Not only have Americans been reamed by Big Tech — they know they've been reamed. Which has set the stage for big-time resentment.
BUSINESS
Feb 20, 2014

New tax rules to hit holders of overseas assets

Individuals with overseas assets worth more than ¥50 million must report them to the nation's tax authorities or face tough penalties, according to new government regulations introduced ahead of this year's tax return filing.

Longform

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