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JAPAN / Politics
Jun 5, 2015

Tokyo, Manila eye 'visiting forces' pact to rein in China

Visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino said Friday that Manila and Tokyo will start discussions on signing a "visiting forces agreement" that could allow Japan to use bases there to refuel aircraft and vessels.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 3, 2015

Fix fundamental TPP flaws to fit 21st century

The TPP is fatally flawed, and would allow big corporations to run roughshod over national regulations, flattening workers and family farmers alike.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 20, 2015

Hoop hero Okayama reflects on lost chance

Long before recent international Japanese basketball stars like Yuta Tabuse, Yuki Togashi and Yuta Watanabe, there was Yasutaka Okayama, who might have made a name for himself the same way they did.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2015

Ukraine's other Chernobyls

Ukraine should take its reactors' expiration dates as an opportunity to pursue a safer, more sustainable energy future.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 25, 2015

Arctic nations vow to fight climate-changing emissions of black carbon, methane

The eight Arctic Council nations pledged on Friday to do more to combat climate change, which is shrinking the vast frigid region, and tried to put aside disputes over issues like Russia's intervention in Ukraine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 24, 2015

For the sake of the future, make 2015 Earth Year

Just as we demand that our governments address risks associated with terrorism or epidemics, we should put concerted pressure on them to act now to preserve our natural environment and curb climate change.
EDITORIALS
Apr 23, 2015

New opportunities for banks

Business opportunities for banks are set to expand under planned deregulation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 8, 2015

Wealthiest woman in Asia-Pacific looks to revive Aussie iron ore project

Asia-Pacific's richest woman is gearing up to start shipments from her $10 billion iron ore project in Australia. Even with prices at 10-year lows, she's displaying no lack of confidence in the mine's success.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2015

TPP deal as important as new aircraft carrier: Pentagon chief

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter waded into economic policy Monday, urging Congress to grant the president negotiating authority for a proposed Asia-Pacific trade deal.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 6, 2015

On the right path, China must cut coal reliance

China's recent progress in reducing emissions shows that, with the right combination of government policies, corporate initiatives, and public pressure, even the largest and most polluted countries can clean up their act.
JAPAN
Apr 1, 2015

Tokyo amends noise-pollution rules in bid to draw more nurseries

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government amended its rules on noise pollution on Wednesday in an effort to make it easier for nurseries to open in the capital, where the number of children yet to find a day care facility is the largest among all prefectures.
EDITORIALS
Apr 1, 2015

Corporate leadership rejuvenation

Hopefully the move to buck the seniority system and appoint younger presidents will help breathe fresh air into the staid corporate culture of major Japanese firms.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 28, 2015

China's Xi preaches peace in keynote address

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that turmoil at home or abroad were not in the country's interests as its bitter past has shown, pledging that Beijing will never stray from its proclaimed path of peaceful development.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 25, 2015

Otsuka Kagu familial feud nears climax

A battle between the founder of Otsuka Kagu Ltd. and its current president, who also happen to be father and daughter, is expected to turn into a proxy fight at the company's annual shareholders' meeting scheduled for Friday, with the result deciding the fate of the struggling furniture giant.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues
Mar 22, 2015

University teachers in Japan work under the shadow of a falling ax

For most teachers, their job is more than an economic exchange of time for money — it is a vocation. Concern for students' educational development is genuine, as is a deep belief in the value and importance of education, and a regard for the institution's reputation and welfare.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 21, 2015

Security blanket: Should Japan beef up its anti-terrorism measures?

On Nov. 27, 2005, an unidentified terrorist group attacked the Mihama nuclear power plant on the Japan Sea in Fukui Prefecture, damaging the facility and creating fears of a radiation leak.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 7, 2015

Public investment can bring sustainable growth

The best way to avoid the risk of an extended period of weak economic growth is to fuel productivity growth by improving human capital and innovation through properly targeted public investment.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Mar 6, 2015

Cheap rural homes come at a price

Though the hollowing-out of population in regional areas in Japan has become a major issue for the central government, it's been a problem for regional governments for more than three decades. Twenty years ago there was a popular promotional method called "I-turn," devised as a supplement to the "U-turn"...
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 28, 2015

Immorality of ceding the high ground to coal

As the idea that greenhouse-gas emissions be reduced to zero by 2050 gains wider acceptance, the coal industry stands apart in its determination to fight for profits at the expense of the environment.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 27, 2015

Two more Cabinet ministers ensnared in money scandals

The Abe administration's money scandals snowball as two more Cabinet ministers admit their chapters accepted donations in 2013 from a company that was set to receive state subsides.
EDITORIALS
Feb 18, 2015

Blight of research misconduct

Strong pressure on scientists to make notable achievements — and thereby secure research funds — is fueling research misconduct.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 9, 2015

Indian voters allow for an upstart

Perhaps a sense of the increasing lopsidedness of political power in India explains why so many voters around the country are so keenly interested in the results of last weekend's elections in the city-state of New Delhi, involving the fledgling Aam Aadmi Party.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat