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Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 1, 2020

U.S. and South Korea near tentative troop-funding deal, report says

The U.S. and South Korea have tentatively reached a military cost-sharing agreement, the Yonhap news agency reported, potentially ending months of bickering over demands from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for a massive increase.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Mar 31, 2020

Local governments short on volunteer interpreters in emergencies

A Kyodo story looks at the lack of multilingual volunteers that would be able to help Southeast Asian communities in Japan in an emergency.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Mar 30, 2020

We live in neither East nor West

With COVID-19 pulling the world apart, it's the people, from healthworkers to thoughtful neighbors that can bring it back together.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 30, 2020

Passengers on ‘death ship’ plead for rescue as coronavirus strikes

For passengers on a Holland America Line cruise ship, a fun-filled voyage on the luxury liner is quickly turning into a nightmare with deteriorating conditions on board and fears of a full-blown coronavirus outbreak after four travelers died and two others were infected.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2020

Abe urges vigilance to avoid COVID-19 spike and vows extraordinary steps to aid economy

The prime minister said the virus battle would be a long one, especially if people drop their guard, but pledged economic relief surpassing that for the 2008 financial crisis.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Mar 28, 2020

Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby

With rugby seemingly done for the season, it is time to look back on a crazy few months that have seen Japanese rugby go from the highs of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to a state of confusion in which even a former Brave Blossoms captain is questioning what is going on.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 28, 2020

U.K. has no clear plan if 'Team Johnson' is incapacitated by coronavirus

What would happen if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's case of coronavirus — so far he has "mild symptoms" — were to become more serious or even incapacitate him and his team? Under Britain's uncodified constitution, the answer is unclear.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Mar 28, 2020

Dealing with anxiety during a global pandemic

As coronavirus news floods our social feeds, it's important to take care of our mental well-being as well as our physical conditions.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Mar 26, 2020

North Korea shows confidence in face of coronavirus outbreak

With international focus on the coronavirus, North Korea has doubled down on its missile development and military exercises in recent weeks while signaling new confidence that it has dodged an outbreak of its own.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 25, 2020

Japanese athletes react to Olympic postponement

Some of Japan’s top athletes have expressed mixed feelings following Tuesday’s announcement that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the International Olympic Committee had agreed to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics for “about a year” amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 23, 2020

Coronavirus uncertainty plagues the experts, too

There's a lot that scientists still don't know about COVID-19.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2020

2020 Tokyo Olympics in doubt as Abe hints at delay for first time

The prime minister says it may be the only way to avoid exacerbating the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Mar 22, 2020

The bright side of a potential quarantine

These days, I find myself singing “Happy Birthday” several times between daybreak and bedtime. As the next birthday in our family is weeks away, I feel a bit silly about it, even though I mostly confine the singing to my head. Since I am running out of people to silently and undeservedly congratulate,...
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 21, 2020

How a Russian plan to restore Gadhafi's regime in Libya backfired

One day in April last year, as war raged around Tripoli, two Russian operatives set out from the Libyan capital to meet the man they hoped to install as leader.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 21, 2020

U.S. senators defend selling shares before coronavirus crash

Two Republican senators defended themselves on Friday against heavy criticism, including calls that they resign, for selling substantial amounts of stocks before the coronavirus-induced market meltdown and after closed-door briefings on the outbreak.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2020

Niigata opens drive-thru coronavirus test clinic amid growing demand

A public health center in the city of Niigata has launched one of Japan's first drive-thru clinics to test for COVID-19 amid growing demand for tests of the deadly virus.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 16, 2020

Fed slashes rates and central banks pull out stops to cushion coronavirus blow

The U.S. Federal Reserve slashed rates back to near zero, restarted bond buying and joined with other central banks to ensure liquidity in dollar lending to help put a floor under a rapidly disintegrating global economy during the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Mar 14, 2020

Social media helps Japan's embattled parents connect over schools' closure

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recommendation that all elementary, junior high and high schools in Japan close through the end of their April spring break in order to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus caught nearly everyone in the country off guard when the news broke in late February.
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Mar 14, 2020

Outbreak turns Kyoto's overtourism into 'undertourism'

A mild winter in many parts of Japan means the cherry blossoms are expected to arrive earlier than usual. By the time we hit April — the start of the fiscal year, the school term, and when new employees begin their first day on the job — the cherry blossoms are likely to be almost finished in the...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Mar 14, 2020

Pioneer to pariah: Russia's first woman in space criticized over amendment to extend Putin's power

Valentina Tereshkova was hailed as a hero when she became the first woman in space in 1963.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 12, 2020

Coronavirus won't sink the cruise industry

Travelers tend to have short memories, and the ships' key demographic won't give up their sail-away cocktails.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 11, 2020

Fighting COVID-19: It's the story, stupid

The Japanese government is failing to effectively combat infections and unable to win the confidence of publics at home and abroad.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 11, 2020

Coronavirus conference canceled because of coronavirus

So much for keeping business rolling during the coronavirus pandemic.

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