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Japan Times
JAPAN / EMBASSY AVENUE
Apr 22, 2016

Paying homage to a champion of equality

Indian nationals in Japan celebrated the 125th anniversary of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s birth on April 14 at the country’s embassy in Tokyo.
Reader Mail
Apr 22, 2016

Remembering an evangelist against nukes

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his fellow Group of Seven foreign ministers laid wreaths at the cenotaph in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on April 11.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Apr 17, 2016

Breaker helps pave a new path to stardom via YouTube

In the days of Japan's bubble economy, the second-level basement of the Fiction Building in Tokyo's Harajuku neighborhood housed a decadent Italian restaurant complete with a grand stairway down to the main dining area, providing every customer the chance to make an entrance. However, the opulent eating...
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Apr 16, 2016

Understanding Heian nobles’ snobbishness

Once upon a time — the fairy tale opening is apt, though it's history we're dealing with — peace lay so thick upon the land that war was inconceivable. The capital was a city named "Peace and Tranquility" — Hei-An (modern-day Kyoto). There was a ministry of war, but the war minister was no fighter;...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Apr 13, 2016

Japan's Taiwanese residents thrive in a state of 'hidden inbetweenness'

Ethnic minority exists under the radar yet civic groups have top-level political pull in both Japan and Taiwan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 13, 2016

'Youth': Sorrentino gets extra sentimental

"I don't want to read any more of it, write any more of it, I don't even want to talk about it anymore," said the novelist Philip Roth in 2012, as he announced his retirement from literature. "I'm tired of all that work. I'm in a different stage of my life."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 9, 2016

The unbelievable true story of a Japanese family that went to war with itself

During the endgame of World War II, Harry Fukuhara, a member of a Japanese-American unit of the U.S. military, was tasked with teaching new recruits about the enemy. The servicemen training to invade Kyushu asked how to distinguish the Japanese from Chinese.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 2, 2016

Finding the locus of David Mitchell

David Mitchell's world is always growing. Raised in England's West Midlands, Mitchell lived in London for a time before moving to Japan in 1994 — while he was in his 20s — to work as an English teacher. After eight years in Hiroshima, he returned to the U.K. to launch his career as a novelist.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 28, 2016

Why the future will disappoint us

We can't replicate the 'special century' that took place between 1870-1970 — an era that completely transformed the human condition.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Mar 23, 2016

Sincerely, Little Nigeria: A reporter signs off

After five years of covering Japan's African community, a writer reflects on progress since 3/11 and speculates about the future.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Mar 22, 2016

Strindberg's surrealistic 'Dream' heralds a pivotal era for KAAT

He doesn't officially become Kanagawa Arts Theatre's artistic director until April 1, but Akira Shirai wasn't fooling when he declared, "I aim to make KAAT (the official acronym of his Yokohama base) a place where we take a whole fresh look at theater's role in today's Japan."
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 14, 2016

Despite refugees, Europe is united on Mars exploration

While countries in Europe have been slashing budgets, one area has not just escaped the ax but chalked up a stellar jump: space exploration.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Mar 10, 2016

Looking for comfort in art following the Great East Japan Earthquake

In her film "Heart of a Dog," the American artist Laurie Anderson explores loss as exemplified by the death of a loved one. A recurring theme is the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, an incident that profoundly changed the way New Yorkers like Anderson confronted their environment....
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Mar 9, 2016

Five years on, Fukushima evacuees voice lingering anger, fear and distrust

Some of the thousands of uprooted Fukushima residents speak out about the ordeal that began five years ago and continues to exact a toll to this day.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 8, 2016

Ronald Reagan owed his great success to Nancy

Without his wife Nancy, Ronald Reagan would not have come to the place he occupies in history.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 6, 2016

Documenting Tohoku's long road to recovery

We profile three photographers who have worked tirelessly since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster to ensure the struggles of the region aren't forgotten
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 6, 2016

A future of happiness, tolerance and youth

The UAE has learned that failure to respond effectively to the aspirations of young people, who represent more than half of the population in Arab countries, is like swimming against the tide.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 1, 2016

Sharp's alive, and that's too bad

Letting the electronics maker and other troubled companies die is a necessary part of reanimating Japan.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 26, 2016

Undergoing the third degree in prewar Japan

A New Zealander who was taken into custody by prewar Japanese police provides a haunting account of jailhouse torture.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 24, 2016

Takeshi Kitano and the men who watch women sleeping

An older man, a much younger woman and a mystery that surrounds their relationship — for the Japanese, it's a familiar story. The woman doesn't say much, letting her youthful allure and beauty do most of the talking. The man doesn't say much either; he's more interested in looking at and pampering...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 23, 2016

Zainichi dramas delve into Japan's shadows

“At last, the masterpiece 'Yakiniku Dragon' ('Korean Barbecue Dragon') is going to be staged again!"
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 22, 2016

Seeing the other side and defying expectations with 'han shite'

Today we will introduce the meaning and usage of the adverbial phrases Xu306bu53cd(u306fu3093)u3057u3066 (contrary to X) and Xu53cdu9762(u306fu3093u3081u3093) (on the contrary), which are mainly used in written language, formal speech, lectures or when talking about a rather serious theme. In the pattern X(noun/noun phrase)u306bu53cdu3057u3066Y(clause), X is usually a word like u4e88u60f3 (u3088u305du3046, anticipation), u671fu5f85 (u304du305fu3044, expectation), u4e88u6e2c (u3088u305du304f, prediction), u610fu5fd7 (u3044u3057, will) or u610fu601d (u3044u3057, intention), u6cd5u5f8b (u307bu3046u308au3064, law) or u30ebu30fcu30eb (rule), and Y is the result or fact that betrays the content of X. In Ms. Yamani's sentence in Situation 1, X is her and her staff's expectation that their product would sell better and Y is the fact that it is not. Its noun-modifying form is uff5eu306bu53cdu3057u305f, as in u5e38u8b58(u3058u3087u3046u3057u304d)u306bu53cdu3057u305fu884cu52d5(u3053u3046u3069u3046) (an action that defies common sense).
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 22, 2016

With eye on Downing Street, Boris bets all on 'Brexit'

With one hand in his suit pocket and the other mussing his signature blond hair, Boris Johnson on Sunday took the riskiest gamble of his career: to oppose Prime Minister David Cameron by campaigning for Britain to leave the European Union.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Feb 21, 2016

In Japan, don't just celebrate black history, be black history

There are a number of annual celebrations of Black History Month here in Japan. I've attended dozens of them over the years. Have even spoken at several, and in fact will be speaking at one later this month. And more often than not, I'll be asked the question, "Why?"

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