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COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2009

What does Japan want from Washington?

OSAKA — Three months after the Democratic Party of Japan's landslide general election victory, the new administration's foreign and security policy appears to be increasingly at odds with that of the United States. Indeed, there is growing concern on both sides of the Pacific that Prime Minister Yukio...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 7, 2009

India lags behind security threat

LONDON — It's been a year since Pakistan-based militants struck the Indian financial capital of Mumbai, killing 163 people and creating panic among the city's populace. The attacks drew comparisons with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ICE TIME
Dec 4, 2009

Kim looking to make statement in Grand Prix Final

Like a great fighter looking to land a knockout punch, world champion Kim Yu Na enters the Grand Prix Final seeking to eliminate any doubt about who will win the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics.
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Dec 4, 2009

Staying in Tokyo for Christmas dinner

These days, just about every restaurant in town offers a Christmas menu — in just about any cuisine you want. Whether you're craving turkey and stuffing, oysters and risotto or gravlax and smoked trout, there's a place for you. Here are just a few Food File recommendations.
EDITORIALS
Dec 3, 2009

Europe's new leaders

"Who?" was the general reaction to the selection of the European Union's first semi-permanent president of the European Council and the high representative for foreign affairs, who took office Tuesday. Although Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, formerly Belgium's prime minister, and Mrs. Catherine Ashton of Britain,...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Dec 1, 2009

A level playing field for immigrants

For the first time in Japan's postwar history, we have a viable opposition party in power — one that might stick around long enough to make some new policies stick. In my last column for 2009, let me suggest how the Democratic Party of Japan could make life easier for Japan's residents, regardless...
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 1, 2009

Scuba, shipping and 'Tachi' base memories

Scuba source In reply to the inquiry about scuba diving (Lifelines, Oct. 6), Matt writes on behalf of Mar Scuba, the oldest foreigner-run dive operation in Tokyo ( www.marscuba.com ).
ENVIRONMENT
Nov 22, 2009

Top artist draws growing global conclusions

Neal Adams became a cult star as a graphic artist with DC and Marvel comics during the late 1960s and '70s through his work on series such as "The Spectre," "Batman," "Superman" and "Green Lantern" — and also his contributions, at Marvel, to "X-Men" and "Conan the Barbarian."
JAPAN
Nov 17, 2009

APEC offers Japan chance to display leadership

speak with a consultant about how to deal with the swine flu pandemic at its headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 7. KYODO PHOTO
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 15, 2009

Shades of Greece on the Inland Sea

The windmill is the first thing I notice, its delicate white blades gleaming against the cloud- flecked sky. Nearby, a semi-circle of polished Doric-style columns occupies prime position overlooking the glassy sea. As a breeze blows gently through olive trees on the shady hillside, it's easy to imagine...
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2009

Japan central to Asia plans, Obama says

U.S. President Barack Obama expressed Saturday in Tokyo his firm intention to build strong ties with Asia while stressing that the alliance with Japan lies at the center of his policy for the region.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2009

Namesake city hopes visit revives campaign mania

Representatives of the Fukui Prefecture city that shares Barack Obama's name are looking to boost their community's profile by trying to meet with the U.S. president in Tokyo during his first official visit to Japan.
COMMENTARY
Nov 12, 2009

APEC remains toothless

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping will hold its annual summit meeting in Singapore this weekend, with the leaders of its 21 member-nations expected to attend. But do we really need yet another high-level global talk-fest?
JAPAN / TIES IN THE BALANCE
Nov 11, 2009

Strong undercurrent as Obama comes to test the waters

First of two parts
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / HAVE YOUR SAY
Nov 10, 2009

Betting your family on Japan: readers respond

Life is long, should be long Mr. Cory, I truly sympathize with your comments and experiences. Your comment about mixed feelings toward your wife really struck home with me as well. Indeed, I too am a Richard Cory, living a farcical life with all of the appearances of the enviable.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 6, 2009

The human rights outlook and new justice minister

Ever since the historic landslide victory of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in the Lower House elections, we have wondered how the new government will wield its power. In the area of human rights protection, at least, there is cause to expect dramatic change. One of the more startling appointments...
BUSINESS / THE VIEW FROM EUROPE
Nov 2, 2009

Japan, EU jockey for position in effort to ink India trade pact

Japanese policymakers do look to India. Last month, both countries' trade delegations met for the 12th time to explore the possibility of a free-trade deal. They have good reasons to do so.
JAPAN
Oct 29, 2009

'Comfort women' bill gets new life

The new administration must ensure the Diet passes a bill recognizing the women forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military during the war if it is to form the East Asian Community proposed by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, nine ruling party lawmakers said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Oct 27, 2009

Rhetorical Hatoyama opens Diet

Calling his mission the "bloodless Heisei restoration," Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama kicked off a 36-day extraordinary Diet session Monday pledging to revamp postwar politics and establish a society based on his notion of fraternity.
EDITORIALS
Oct 26, 2009

No-nukes action plan

The International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament, an international panel co-chaired by former Japanese and Australian foreign ministers Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi and Mr. Gareth Evans, agreed Oct. 20 on an action plan toward global nuclear disarmament after a three-day meeting in the...
LIFE
Oct 25, 2009

Bodhisattva of the river road

"Have another drink, Boss!"
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 23, 2009

Versailles get dolled up for visual-kei fest

With dozens of Japanese bands trying to crack the West over the last 20 years, whoever would have guessed visual-kei would be the first genre to truly succeed?
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Oct 20, 2009

Seeking some advice, a lost father, friend

Where is my father? Yovichi (Yoichi?) Perez is "Japinoy," meaning of Filipino-Japanese ancestry. He saw a letter from a Japinoy like himself, also looking for his father, so he thought he would try his luck with us.
EDITORIALS
Oct 14, 2009

Nobel invests hope in leadership

U.S. President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize after less than nine months in office. His critics at home and abroad say the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision came too early since Mr. Obama cannot yet claim any concrete achievement in dealing with challenging global issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Oct 9, 2009

Education chief takes liberal path

New education minister Tatsuo Kawabata says he will give more control of schools to local governments and increase practical learning, indicating a turn away from the conservative policies of previous administrations.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Oct 6, 2009

Scuba, from Sado to Shikoku

Tim writes: "My girlfriend and I have snorkeled around the coast of Japan — Izu, Shikoku, Sado Island — and now plan to scuba-dive in Okinawa this autumn.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / HAVE YOUR SAY
Oct 6, 2009

Re: Mr. James, gaijin clown

Following are a selection of readers' responses to last month's Just Be Cause column by Debito Arudou, headlined "Meet Mr. James, gaijin clown":
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 4, 2009

Japan's gender equality may be 'insufficent,' but it's surely coming

As the vast majority of societies worldwide are male dominated, one of the most contentious issues they face as they evolve centers on the status of women.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Oct 4, 2009

Japan's gender equality may be 'insufficent,' but it's surely coming

As the vast majority of societies worldwide are male dominated, one of the most contentious issues they face as they evolve centers on the status of women.

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