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Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 3, 2018

Diving into Southeat Asian cinema at the Singapore International Film Festival

Since its start in 1987, the Singapore International Film Festival has become a key regional film event, despite being held in a city state that produces only a handful of feature films annually.
EDITORIALS
Jan 2, 2018

Scrutiny needed on expanding defense spending

Measures must be taken to cope with the changing security environment, but tight fiscal conditions mean defense spending must still be prioritized.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Dec 31, 2017

Lessons about Japan's school catchment areas

A neighbor recently asked us to sign a petition requesting that the local education committee keep a certain elementary school open. Due to falling enrollment, students who attended the school would be transferred to a different one in the near future.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 30, 2017

'Wagohan: The ABCs of Japanese Cuisine': Reiko Yamada's ode to Japanese comfort food

Food is "the most basic form of diplomacy" for cooking adviser Reiko Yamada. With this philosophy in mind, "Wagohan: The ABCs of Japanese Cuisine" aims to bridge cultures and present the "versatility and beauty of Japanese cuisine."
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 29, 2017

Here comes the sun: Recommended hatsuhinode spots

The first sunrise of the new year represents a chance for a new beginning and so it's hardly surprising that some once viewed the first rays of the sun on Jan. 1 with special reverence. It was believed to be the moment that Toshigami, god of the new year, descends from heaven and bestows happiness on...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Dec 28, 2017

Namie Amuro saves 'Kohaku' ... for now

The weekly Shukan Bunshun released a survey in early November highlighting the acts its readers wanted to see perform on NHK's yearend "Kohaku Uta Gassen" music program. They chose Namie Amuro as the artist they wanted to see the most, likely because she announced her plans to retire from the entertainment...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Dec 28, 2017

Lakestars' Narito Namizato one of top talents at ball distribution

The art of the pass isn't in vogue like rapid-fire 3-point shooting at any juncture, but there are a number of gifted ball-distribution artists in the B. League. And like Christmas cards, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
EDITORIALS
Dec 25, 2017

More efforts needed for fiscal consolidation

The record-breaking u00a597.7 trillion budget for fiscal 2018 won't put the nation on a steady path for fiscal consolidation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Dec 25, 2017

GHQ photographer's color shots offer rare insights on postwar Japan

The National Diet Library in Tokyo caught attention this autumn when it published color photos taken immediately after the end of World War II by a staffer at the General Headquarters (GHQ).
Japan Times
JAPAN / FUKUSHIMA FILE
Dec 24, 2017

Fukushima farmers looking for authoritative ways to shed nuclear stigma

In light of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis, the Fukushima Prefectural Government is hoping to find a new, faster and easier way to certify the safety of homegrown rice to ease the burden on local farmers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Dec 23, 2017

A picture of food is worth 1,000 words for businesses on Instagram

With end-of-year parties now in full swing, social media users are curating their profiles with "Insuta-bae" photographs that capture them enjoying enviable times.
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 21, 2017

North Korean soldier defects to South via DMZ, shows up at guard post in fog

South Korean guards fired warning shots across the heavily militarized border with North Korea on Thursday as a soldier from the North defected, officials said, complicating efforts to ease tensions over Pyongyang’s weapons programs.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Dec 21, 2017

Comfort and convenience in the heart of Kyoto

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Shijo is offering an accommodation plan commemorating its launch on April 13. The hotel boasts 127 rooms, including those on the top premium floor, produced by Hirsch Bedner Associates, a hospitality design firm headquartered in California.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 20, 2017

Working in the film industry as a non-Japanese has its own challenges

Japan is home to one of the most lucrative movie industries in the world, and also one of the most prolific: 1,149 films received a theatrical release during 2016, over 600 of which were domestic productions. It can be hard to stand out in such a crowded marketplace and the challenges are often compounded...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 20, 2017

Chinese startup Nio to battle Tesla's Model X with electric SUV

Chinese startup Nio marked its entry last week into the world's biggest market for electric cars with a sport utility vehicle priced cheaper than Tesla Inc.'s Model X.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 20, 2017

Facebook to notify users when photos of them are uploaded

Facebook said on Tuesday it would begin using facial recognition technology to tell people on the social network when others upload photos of them, if they agree to let the company keep a facial template on file.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2017

London cafe boasts 'Selfieccino' self portraits in froth

A cafe in London is taking barista art to a new level by giving customers the chance to sip on their own self-portraits.
Japan Times
PRESS / Corporate Trends
Dec 19, 2017

Establishment of Japan Times ESG Consortium

Tokyo, Dec 19, 2017 ー The Japan Times (Minato-ku, Tokyo. Representative: Takeharu Tsutsumi) will establish a new consortium in January 2018 named the “Japan Times ESG Consortium” to disseminate information in English overseas about corporate Japan’s ESG (Environmental / Social / Governance) initiatives...
Dec 19, 2017

Establishment of Japan Times ESG Consortium
Disseminating information overseas about Japan’s ESG activities

Tokyo, Dec 19, 2017 ー The Japan Times (Minato-ku, Tokyo. Representative: Takeharu Tsutsumi) will establish a new consortium in January 2018 named the “Japan Times ESG Consortium” to disseminate information in English overseas about corporate Japan’s ESG (Environmental / Social / Governance) initiatives...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 18, 2017

Bitcoin takes bigger Wall Street stage with smooth CME debut

The world's biggest exchange just joined the bitcoin revolution.
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Dec 18, 2017

Researchers prevent kidney stones on long-term space missions with medication to manage bone loss

Research conducted by Atsushi Okada from the nephro-urology department at Nagoya City University Graduate School and others has revealed that the risk of kidney stone disease increases for astronauts who remain in space for a long period of time because diminishing bone mass triggers a rise in calcium...
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / CHILD'S PLAY
Dec 17, 2017

Living it up at the Hilton — Disney style

The seemingly simple act of checking into a hotel can be a recipe for disaster with tired young children: cue tackling mundane paperwork while trying to preempt high-volume meltdowns or contain hyperactive runarounds.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Taking the Lead
Dec 17, 2017

Mori Building chief serious about creating a better Tokyo

Making Tokyo a more attractive and competitive metropolis sounds more like a policy than a business strategy.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Dec 16, 2017

Heart of gold: The Ginza Line celebrates its 90th birthday

Born of disasters, war and massive infrastructure projects, 21st-century Tokyo has plenty of ghosts buried underground. If you ride the subway these days, you can catch a fleeting glimpse of two of them but, if you blink, you'll miss them. The Ginza Line is marking 90 years since its opening with the...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 15, 2017

A midterm review of Abenomics

So far the report card is good, but expect better for the future.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 15, 2017

'Star Wars' fans get a first look at 'The Last Jedi'

The planets have aligned and the Force is even stronger for the "Star Wars" community. On Thursday evening, hundreds of fans filled Toho Cinemas Roppongi for one of the first global premieres of "The Last Jedi," the latest film in the well-loved series, with many attendees dressing up as their favorite...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 14, 2017

'Quad' cooperation in the South China Sea?

Australia, Japan and India are unlikely to risk antagonizing China by joining U.S. freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.

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