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COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jun 27, 2011

Power industry's chokehold

The electric power industry in Japan has such strong political clout that nobody, not even the government, seems capable of liberalizing the generation and distribution of electricity, let alone making a dent in the regional monopoly currently enjoyed by each of the 10 utilities.
EDITORIALS
Jun 22, 2011

The SCO turns 10

T he Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) marked its 10th anniversary last week at the annual leaders summit, this year held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The organization continues to mature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 17, 2011

Superfly takes a heavy trip

Hang on a minute, how did this happen? Somehow hippie-loving 1960s-throwback pop songstress Superfly has got, like, totally heavy, man. While her previous studio album, 2009's "Box Emotions," featured a couple of belters, new release "Mind Travel" does away with soppy ballads almost completely, favoring...
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jun 15, 2011

Yakuza eye cleanup profits

The government and law enforcement authorities appear to be fighting an uphill battle to prevent gangsters and other "antisocial" groups from cashing in on disposing of huge amounts of debris generated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, which played havoc with large areas along the Pacific coast...
EDITORIALS
Jun 5, 2011

Japanese life index

Last month the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development cataloged Japanese dissatisfaction in a survey of Japan and the 33 other members of the OECD. The compiled results in OECD's "Your Better Life Index" show that despite the relatively good aspects of life in Japan, many more parts of...
BUSINESS
Jun 4, 2011

Advisers see V-shaped recovery, not recession

The slump following the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis may be too short-lived to be called a recession, economists advising the government say.
BUSINESS
May 27, 2011

Sumitomo Mitsui exec tabbed for BOJ board

The administration on Thursday nominated an executive of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. to take over a Bank of Japan Policy Board slot traditionally held by a banker.
COMMENTARY / World
May 21, 2011

Mediterranean's monumental transformation

The Mediterranean is undergoing a monumental political transformation. Protests on its southern shores have now begun the process of bringing democracy to this region. Less visibly, perhaps, the Mediterranean is also undergoing another revival, equally important in terms of geo-economics.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
May 17, 2011

Dutch architect making a difference

Right after the earthquake hit northeast Japan on March 11, the small Pacific coastal town of Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, was almost wiped out by the massive tsunami. Hundreds of its residents were killed, while many of the survivors lost family members, their houses and jobs.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
May 14, 2011

Finding fulfillment the hard way through NGOs, activism

The tiny Amnesty International Japan headquarters is hidden on the fourth floor of a nondescript building in a dull business district not far from Ochanomizu, in central Tokyo.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 12, 2011

Nuclear energy at a crossroads

The choice Japan must soon make over the future of its energy policy will determine whether it will develop safer nuclear power plants, expand reliance on other energy sources or remain in power-save mode for decades to come.
COMMENTARY / World
May 9, 2011

Realignment of Canada's political landscape

In the first election debate between the leaders of Canada's four political parties, opposition leader Michael Ignatieff of the Liberal Party attacked Prime Minister Stephen Harper of the ruling Conservative Party for wanting to shut down anything he could not control.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Apr 30, 2011

3/11 renders tax-cut advocates' poll momentum a distant dream

When candidates from the new local group Genzei Nippon (Tax Reduction Japan) led by Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura won the triple elections held in Aichi Prefecture in February, the group's tax cut initiative seemed to have gained momentum.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 24, 2011

Vegalta Sendai victorious in return

Vegalta Sendai enjoyed a fairy tale return to J. League action as Jiro Kamata scored an 87th-minute winner to give the stricken Miyagi Prefecture side a 2-1 victory over Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 18, 2011

Portugal has a lesson if the U.S. is watching

Portugal is far along the primrose path to economic bankruptcy, following in the steps of Greece and Ireland. While the Portuguese debt crisis is not nearly as acute as that of Greece and Ireland, it nonetheless serves as a warning to other European Union countries, as well as the United States, that...
EDITORIALS
Apr 13, 2011

Message for traditional parties

The Democratic Party of Japan was routed in the first round of unified local elections on Sunday — following its defeat in the July 2010 Upper House election. The DPJ failed to win governorships in Tokyo, Mie — which is DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada's stronghold — and Hokkaido, which is former...
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Apr 11, 2011

From Russia with leverage

Spiraling oil prices and the serious accidents at a major Japanese nuclear power station caused by the March 11 quake and tsunami are helping strengthen the position of Russia in the international community.

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