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Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 12, 2018

After mixed results in U.S. midterms, Trump likely to hit Japan on trade: Thomas Friedman

Results of last week's U.S. midterm elections were mixed, leaving a chasm in the U.S. political landscape.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 10, 2018

A journey to hell with Osamu Dazai, Japan's ultimate bad boy novelist

Dazai is the ultimate bad boy of Japanese literature and 'Ningen Shikkaku,' recently re-translated by Mark Gibeau as 'A Shameful Life,' is his supreme masterpiece, a novel that still shocks today with its brutal honesty and unflinching, strangely thrilling pessimism.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2018

Returning for two-week tour, former U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy reflects on her lifelong ties with Japan

Caroline Kennedy was in top form when she returned to Japan recently for a two-week visit.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 8, 2018

'Trump from Pahrump': Dead Republican brothel owner wins election in Nevada

A brothel-owning, evangelical Christian-backed Republican candidate who died last month won his race for the Nevada state legislature late on Tuesday, according to state election officials.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 8, 2018

Saudi king shows support for heir on public tour despite crisis over Jamal Khashoggi slaying

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has embarked on a domestic tour this week with his favorite son, demonstrating his support for his chosen heir despite the crisis spawned by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 7, 2018

LGBT+ people erased from books in Russia under 'gay propaganda' law

"Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls," a bestselling children's book featuring 100 stories of prominent women, was published in Russia this year — but with one story missing.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2018

Climate change issues likely to be one of top points at Osaka G20 summit: Jacques Attali

Dealing with various climate change-related issues is likely to be one of the top points of discussion at the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit in Osaka next June, Jacques Attali, one of the world's most prominent nongovernmental organization leaders, said in an interview with The Japan Times on Tuesday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 6, 2018

An opportunity for Tokyo and Seoul

Skillfully handling the wartime labor ruling could help put bilateral ties back on track.
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2018

Malicious descriptions about North and South Korean groups temporarily displayed on Google Maps

Malicious descriptions, such as one targeting the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, were displayed temporarily on Google Maps, it was learned Sunday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Nov 3, 2018

'Newcomer': Cop pounds the pavement in Tokyo shitamachi detective mystery

Although many police procedural mystery novels may appear to reflect realism, most authors only touch on a fraction of the time and shoe leather typically devoted to a real investigation. In "Newcomer," author Keigo Higashino challenges the conventional wisdom, adopting an approach that underscores his...
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Nov 1, 2018

A blond Swedish landscape artist flexes for NHK — remember his name ... Tatsumasa Murasame

Who's that hunk of blond beefcake crunching his abs on NHK's workout program "Minna de Kinniku Taiso"?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Oct 31, 2018

The death of a Japanese countryside festival

Ancient rites bend to an aging, shrinking population, but how much longer can local traditions hold out?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 31, 2018

What election system best suits Japan?

To make it easier to bring about a change in government, all seats should be elected in the single-seat electoral district system.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 30, 2018

At death's door: The attraction of living in homes with ghastly pasts

Television sets inexplicably turn on and off. Visitors who enter his room complain of sudden migraines. Rapping sounds keep him awake at night, and psychics warn he is being stalked by ghostly apparitions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 29, 2018

Ignore the news and America seems pretty nice

Drive from coast to coast with the radio off and everybody seems to be getting along fine.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 28, 2018

Trump's floundering North Korea strategy

After his summit with Kim, Trump announced an end to the nuclear threat. Since then, U.S. diplomacy hasn't yielded any tangible results other than planning another summit.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Oct 27, 2018

'Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window': Charming vignettes pay homage to an unconventional education

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's 'Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window' became a runaway bestseller when it debuted in Japanese in 1981, and has since been translated into over 30 languages. With increasing awareness of the importance of catering to children with diverse needs in Japan's classrooms, Totto-chan's story is more relevant today than ever.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 27, 2018

Algorithms and charting the great unknown

Researchers tend to cluster and mine the same familiar territory. AI can overcome that tendency and point to new questions.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 26, 2018

Third Modi visit to Tokyo reflects deepening of Japan-India ties

Converging interests are drawing Tokyo and New Delhi closer, but obstacles must be overcome.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 25, 2018

Masaaki Yuasa: Anime for the discerning fan

Masaaki Yuasa is one of the most exciting directors working in Japanese animation today, with a three-decade career behind him. Yet until last year, you may not even have heard of him. Long the filmmaker of choice for discerning anime fans, the 53-year-old has had a significant profile boost over the...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 23, 2018

The end of America's China fantasy

Over the last couple of years, the China-policy debate in the US has begun to reflect more realism, with a growing number of voices recognizing China's ambition to supplant its American benefactor as the leading global superpower. But is it too late to rein in America's main geopolitical rival?
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 23, 2018

U.S. INF treaty pullout plays into Russia's hands

The world needs more arms control treaties, not less.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Oct 21, 2018

Passion for interconnections merge with social initiatives

Playfully known as 'Salon de Melanie,' dinners at Australian consultant Melanie Brock's house are sought-after affairs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Oct 20, 2018

Life lessons from the master of noh Zeami

Stately, stylized noh arose from primitive, rollicking ancestors — sarugaku (monkey music) and dengaku (rural music). Two qualities in particular define it: yu016bgen (mystery) and monomane (imitation).
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Oct 17, 2018

The empty seat on a crowded Japanese train: 10 years on, the 'gaijin seat' still grates

If you're a conspicuous non-Japanese living in the country, then you've likely experienced the empty-seat phenomenon with varying frequency and intensity.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 17, 2018

Oil and money — a combo that faces a cloudy future

The oil and gas industry remains one of the world's biggest and most complex. Yet it is also now becoming one of the world's shakiest.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 16, 2018

Japan must look beyond U.S. for stable economic and military future, says risk analyst Ian Bremmer

As the United States’ commitment to global leadership and principles grows ever more uncertain under President Donald Trump, Japan finds itself with little choice but to look beyond its closest ally to ensure economic and military security, according to analyst Ian Bremmer, the head of political risk...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 16, 2018

The cutting edge of Kyoto swordmaking

Showcasing 170 blades, 19 of which are National Treasures and 61 are Important Cultural Properties, 'Swords of Kyoto: Master Craftsmanship from an Elegant Culture' is the largest sword exhibition in the Kyoto National Museum's 120-year history.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 16, 2018

An AI wake-up call from ancient Greece

Those warning about artificial intelligence's dangers are right to invoke Pandora and her jar of miseries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 15, 2018

How much do we know about Saudi Arabia?

The Khashoggi crisis is the first and probably the biggest test for Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman as a leader of Saudi Arabia.

Longform

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake