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BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2009

In 'sinking world,' geisha turn barmaids

In the stifling summer heat at the roadside Yebisu Beer stall in Kyoto's Gion district, Sakiko, dressed in a thick floral kimono, face plastered in white makeup, looks flustered as two foreign tourists photograph her. "Pouring beer here is different but fun," said Sakiko, one of about 90 apprentice geisha,...
Japan Times
CULTURE
Aug 28, 2009

Cheeky for charity

It is no surprise that an adult entertainment broadcaster would be concerned about the spread of the HIV virus and AIDS. But for one satellite channel in Japan known for silly parodies and wacky porn programming, that concern goes beyond immediate commercial interests — to trying to reverse wilting...
Japan Times
LIFE
Aug 23, 2009

Japan's creeping natural disaster

In October 2010, government officials from almost every country in the world will meet in Nagoya for the 10th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10). The aim of the Convention, which came into effect in 1993, is simple but momentous: To maintain the richness of life on...
Reader Mail
Aug 13, 2009

Just more celebrity make-believe

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is possession of narcotic drugs, stimulants and proscribed substances that is illegal in Japan, not the use of them. Reading the news carefully, we learn that the sumo wrestlers who recently fell afoul of Japanese drug laws, plus singer Noriko Sakai and her surfer husband...
Japan Times
Events / WHERE IT'S AT
Aug 11, 2009

Aloha Yokohama marks Hawaii's 50th

Every July, Yokohama hosts Aloha Yokohama, featuring authentic Hawaiian music, hula dances, food and cultural events.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Aug 9, 2009

Sampling a pot-sticker paradise

Whenever I watch national broadcaster NHK's weather forecast, I feel consoled that no matter how hot it may get in July and August in Tokyo, the mercury in Utsunomiya is always going to be several degrees higher.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Jul 7, 2009

Cops crack down with 'I pee' checks

My blog has been getting periodic pings about rumblings in Roppongi: Tokyo cops cleaning out pesky foreign touts before Olympic inspectors see them; the U.S. Embassy warning Americans to stay away from the area after reports of drugged drinks and thefts.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jun 28, 2009

International community signs on to help keep Bobby V. in Chiba

You heard where those dedicated fans of the Chiba Lotte Marines gathered more than 110,000 signatures on a petition opposed to the team's dropping of American manager Bobby Valentine at the end of the 2009 season. The document was delivered to the team's front office earlier this month for presentation...
LIFE / Travel
Jun 28, 2009

Kandy, Sri Lanka: Highland jewel in an enchanted isle

The war is over, peace-building is under way, and Sri Lanka is one of the most enchanting islands you could ever imagine.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Jun 28, 2009

Strong-spirited women, brain-body challenges and winter 'eco' action

The quiz show "Wafu Sohonke" ("Total Main House for Japanese Style"; TV Tokyo, Mon., 8 p.m.) tests celebrity contestants' knowledge of Japanese customs and traditions, many of which are arcane. On this week's two-hour special, they narrow the focus to customs and traditions having to do with Japanese...
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jun 16, 2009

Will another Mongolian yokozuna come out of the Nagoya Basho?

The Nagoya Basho 2009 is just around the corner. Several rikishi in makunouchi, notably Kakuryu of Mongolia and Aran of Russia, will be fighting at career-high ranks, yet the majority of eyes will be on one of the lightest men in the division as he strives for yokozuna promotion. That man is Harumafuji...
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ANALYSIS
May 31, 2009

Canseco's MMA debut a farce

It was exactly what you'd call a chaban, or a farce.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
May 31, 2009

Agriculture maverick, a near-death experience and international-marriage drama

As the worldwide recession continues, Japan is seriously reconsidering its agricultural policies in terms of both exports and self-sufficiency. Moreover, ways must be found to encourage young people to make careers out of farming.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
May 31, 2009

Agriculture maverick, a near-death experience and international-marriage drama

As the worldwide recession continues, Japan is seriously reconsidering its agricultural policies in terms of both exports and self-sufficiency. Moreover, ways must be found to encourage young people to make careers out of farming.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 27, 2009

Appreciating kanji can unleash your inner art critic

As exotic as kanji (Sino-Japanese logographs) may appear to the uninitiated, most of those we encounter in everyday situations are intended to convey notices and other mundane or essential information, such as 禁煙 kin'en (no smoking) or 駅長室 (ekichō-shitsu, stationmaster's office).
CULTURE / Books / THE ASIAN BOOKSHELF
May 24, 2009

From Meiji gentleman to 'Japanese Yankee'

This curiosity (a first-person account of the writer's gradual transformation from Meiji gentleman to self-proclaimed "Japanese Yankee") was first published in 1898 (by the Congregational Church) and never again seen until now.

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