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Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 25, 2016

An English director teams up with a kabuki star to retell a timeless tale of heartbreak in 'Eternal Chikamatsu'

English director David Leveaux has been a jewel in the crown of Japanese theater since 1988, when he first came here as a pinch-hitter after a compatriot pulled out of directing a Tokyo production of "Dangerous Liaisons." A 13-year stint as artistic director of the innovative Theatre Project Tokyo company...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 24, 2016

Takeshi Kitano and the men who watch women sleeping

An older man, a much younger woman and a mystery that surrounds their relationship — for the Japanese, it's a familiar story. The woman doesn't say much, letting her youthful allure and beauty do most of the talking. The man doesn't say much either; he's more interested in looking at and pampering...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Feb 13, 2016

Give me chocolate: Japan's growing obsession with the 'food of the gods'

People with a sweet tooth can get a glimpse of how Charlie Bucket felt when he first stepped into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory in Roald Dahl's popular 1964 tale by popping into Musee du Chocolat Theobroma in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 8, 2016

Let's discuss the 'hometown donation' system

More people are remitting cash to municipalities where they do not live using the tax-deductible hometown donation program.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Feb 5, 2016

February 6, 2016

Japan Times
JAPAN / AT A GLANCE
Feb 2, 2016

Nakano Broadway marks 50 years, now known as a center for Japanese cultural memorabilia

Nakano Broadway turns 50 this year. The shopping complex in Tokyo's busy Nakano district remains popular with enthusiasts of pop culture, boasting dozens of manga, anime and collectors' shops.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 30, 2016

Bringing Japanese folk dance into focus

As with many cultures, before modernization the Japanese people relied heavily on agriculture, holding a spiritual affinity with and respecting the power of nature. Bountiful harvests were celebrated in festivities that played a significant role in community activities, and the distinctive folk rituals...
Japan Times
JAPAN / AEC SPECIAL
Jan 29, 2016

Going international with 'Rikkyo Global 24'

Rikkyo University is one of the most global universities in Japan, and under its Top Global University Project, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) designated the university as a Global Traction Type school.
Japan Times
JAPAN / AEC SPECIAL
Jan 29, 2016

Sophia exchange program offers expanded horizons

Eighteen students, including those from Southeast Asia, Japan and other parts of the world, were divided into four groups to hold intense discussions in English about various global sustainability issues. They were creating a rough draft of a poster they would use for next week's presentation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / AEC SPECIAL
Jan 29, 2016

Students appreciate college's international surroundings

Students from ASEAN member states are enjoying their learning experiences at Sophia University and their daily lives in an international environment provided by the most international university in Japan.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 28, 2016

Kawai faces tall task in new job with HeatDevils

Will Ryuji Kawai resurrect the Oita Ehime HeatDevils' season?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jan 27, 2016

Do your Japanese colleagues drive you nuts? Maybe it's you, not them (or both)

The Trail Mix Incident — where cultural conditioning trumped Japanese social etiquette — highlights how the defense of territory is universal.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Jan 25, 2016

Ise theme park uses ninja, samurai in G-7 tourist pitch

Ise Azuchimomoyama Bunkamura, a theme park in Ise, Mie Prefecture, that showcases traditional Japanese buildings and customs, is working on increasing the number of foreign visitors ahead of the Group of Seven summit in May.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 23, 2016

'Crazy Camel' helps butoh over the hump

'Many people have a preconception about butoh — that it is performed by dancers whose bodies are painted white. So when we debuted our current program, 'Crazy Camel,' in France, and we came on stage covered in gold-colored powder, the fans and experts there thought we were pioneering a new style,"...
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 20, 2016

Coaches recall trail-blazing '71 Utah State visit

Many people enjoy the convenience of today's digital era, where they rely heavily on things like email, Facebook and Line to send messages.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 19, 2016

Nuclear test seen as move to boost Kim's legitimacy as Pyongyang readies for rare party congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent nuclear weapon test was designed to boost his domestic legitimacy ahead of a rare ruling party conference in May that could formalize market-based economic experiments in the isolated country, analysts say.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Jan 17, 2016

'Being black can be more fun than being gay'

A look at the experience of two black men in the LGBT community in Tokyo, a 'minority of a minority of a minority.'
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Jan 16, 2016

Lost Japan

Originally published in Japanese in 1993 (with the English translation following in 1996), "Lost Japan," the first book by Alex Kerr, has recently been re-released by Penguin. A fascinating chronicle of Kerr's diverse interactions with the country, the book spans such subjects as restoring a traditional...
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 13, 2016

Abe's global contradictions

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talks big about Japan playing a greater role on the global stage, but the reality has been disappointing.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 13, 2016

Views from Taipei: Should Taiwan declare full independence in the event of a DPP win?

People in the Taiwanese capital speak their minds about whether the island should consider declaring full independence from China in the event of a victory by the Beijing-wary opposition in upcoming elections.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 5, 2016

Free Japan's universities so they can flourish

If Japan's bureacracy really loves the country's universities, it should end its micromanaging and set them free.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Jan 4, 2016

'Onigirazu' chosen as 2015's top dish

'Onigirazu,' an innovative take on the traditional onigiri rice ball, was chosen as 2015's dish of the year after the sandwich-like rice dish became a sensation.
Japan Times
Rugby
Dec 21, 2015

Japan reveals Sunwolves roster; Hammett named as coach

A few of Japan's Rugby World Cup stars, including Akihito Yamada, Shota Horie and Hitoshi Ono, will headline the Sunwolves squad that will compete in Super Rugby next spring, team organizers revealed on Monday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2015

In defense of Donald Trump's name-calling

Winner or loser, Donald Trump has done political debate in America a huge favor by freeing 'stupid' from the rhetorical prison of words and phrases polite people aren't allowed to use.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 10, 2015

Ise braces for tourism boom following G-7

On an early weekday afternoon at the shops lined up in front of JR Ise station, business was fairly brisk.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Dec 8, 2015

Kyoto's Palmer brings end to long career in Japan

Kyoto Hannaryz forward David Palmer on Monday revealed that he's decided to retire — effective immediately. He said he made up his mind in early November, citing injuries and various physical ailments as factors that led to this decision.
COMMENTARY / Japan / THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
Dec 4, 2015

Stimson's love of Kyoto saved it from A-bomb

The glories of Kyoto impressed Henry Stimson, and the decisions he made decades later as the U.S. secretary of war.

Longform

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