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Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 25, 2015

Arab-American group says 'American Sniper' film spurs threats against Muslims

An Arab-American civil rights organization has asked "American Sniper" director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper to denounce hateful language directed at U.S. Arabs and Muslims after the release of the film about a Navy marksman.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Jan 24, 2015

Words from the wise on our energy future

Another year has dawned, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been at the helm for more than two years and nearly four years have passed since the Fukushima disaster brought Japan to its knees. And still we wait for a realistic blueprint from the government for clean and safe energy independence, a plan offering...
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jan 23, 2015

Iraq edges Iran on penalties, advances to Asian Cup semifinals

Salam Shakir scored the winning spot kick as Iraq stunned 10-man Iran 7-6 on penalties to reach the Asian Cup semifinals in a match of high drama between the archrivals on Friday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2015

U.K. devolves new powers to Scotland

The British government began a historic transfer of powers to Scotland on Thursday, keeping a pledge it had given to persuade Scots to reject independence as renewed nationalist support surges.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2015

Abe forced to walk a fine line in oil-rich Middle East

The seizure of two Japanese nationals by the Islamic State militant group is raising questions about Japan's Middle East policies and the effectiveness of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brand of personal diplomacy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2015

Self-censorship is biggest threat to free speech in Japan

An edgy art exhibition of works rejected or removed by other exhibitors offers insights into whether Japan can be considered a nation of free speech.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 21, 2015

Islamic State likely gave hostage ultimatum knowing difficulty of meeting it

The militant group, which aims to establish an Islamic caliphate, is likely using the hostage situation to generate renewed international attention, according to leading analysts.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / NFL NOTEBOOK
Jan 21, 2015

Manning can thrive in Kubiak's system

My first impression when I heard the news that the Denver Broncos had hired Gary Kubiak to replace John Fox as the 15th head coach in team history was that Peyton Manning is one step closer to retirement.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Jan 21, 2015

Forty years after Zainichi labor case victory, is Japan turning back the clock?

Efforts against nationality-based discrimination in Japan have made zero progress in the four decades since a landmark court case against Hitachi.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 21, 2015

Abe could ease doubts by apologizing over WWII, says former leader Fukuda

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could help remove international doubts about Japan's stance toward its wartime past by apologizing over World War II in a statement he is planning to help mark the 70th anniversary of the war's end, said Yasuo Fukuda, one of Abe's predecessors.
Japan Times
JAPAN / DAVOS SPECIAL 2015
Jan 21, 2015

Forging better Japan through 'quiet revolution'

Entrepreneur Yoshito Hori has a strong sense of mission to guide Japan to become a better place as it undergoes what he calls a "quiet revolution," and he thinks his role is outside of politics.
COMMENTARY
Jan 20, 2015

Proven scare tactics serve Putin well

President Vladimir Putin knows that the canny use of fear and forgiveness will allow him to retain his grip on power.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 19, 2015

Japan to co-host Premier 12 baseball world tourney

Japan was the first-ever champion of the World Baseball Classic, lifting the championship trophy on foreign soil in 2006. If Samurai Japan repeats the feat at the inaugural Premier 12, the Japanese will get to do all their celebrating at home.
COMMENTARY
Jan 19, 2015

A perceived insult against religion is countered with words, not arms

There is a place for passionate debate on the moral question of how to balance freedom of speech with respect for religion. But the weapons of this debate should be the keyboard — not the Kalashnikov.
COMMENTARY
Jan 19, 2015

Frozen chickens threaten Venezuela's regime

While Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blames 'saboteurs' for hoarding goods and scalping prices in an alleged plot to 'destabilize' the national economy, Venezuelans are steaming over an economy in deadfall, inflation heading to three digits and supermarkets stripped of frozen chickens.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jan 19, 2015

Japan's liquidity trap holds warning for ECB: Japan Credit

Investors who predict the European Central Bank will start buying government bonds this week to fight deflation shouldn't expect too much if Japan is any guide.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 17, 2015

Home away from home: the plight of refugees in Japan

On a cold winter's day in December, an African man sits in a meeting room at the Japan Association for Refugees, a nonprofit organization in Tokyo. The man, whose name and country of origin have been withheld to protect his identity from those who wish him and his family harm, has been seeking refugee...
Japan Times
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Jan 16, 2015

USOC gets Olympic bid wrong again

"Once you become predictable, no one's interested anymore."
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jan 16, 2015

Manchester United's high-priced squad fails to inspire

It is only Louis van Gaal's cv that is preventing him from receiving the sort of merciless criticism directed at David Moyes last season.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jan 14, 2015

A note of concern to wounded MLK from a friend in Japan

Throughout Martin Luther King Jr.'s pursuit of justice and equal rights for African-Americans, he knew he had the support and consideration of Japan through an old classmate who had decided to study abroad and broaden his cultural understanding.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 12, 2015

Decision on Petraeus leak allegations not yet final, Holder says

The Justice Department hasn't made a final decision about whether to prosecute retired Army Gen. David Petraeus for allegedly providing government secrets to his former mistress while he was director of the CIA, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 11, 2015

Cameron's Conservatives vow tough new U.K. strike laws

British Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party says it will introduce tough strike laws for some public service workers if it wins the general election in May, prompting anger from unions that called the proposals an affront to democracy.
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jan 9, 2015

Martinez struggling to keep Everton competitive

So David Moyes is not such a bad manager after all.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 9, 2015

Avoid trap of pitting Islamism against nativism

Many people fear dreadful political reactions to the brutal attack on the headquarters of the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
WORLD
Jan 9, 2015

Paris attack reminds Arab cartoonists of dangers at home

After Egyptian cartoonist Andeel took to social media to condemn the slaughter of colleagues in Paris, he received expressions of sympathy — often not for the victims but for the suspected Islamist gunmen.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 8, 2015

World leaders condemn attack on Paris magazine; Obama vows to help find killers

World leaders expressed outrage over the attack on a French magazine office in Paris that killed at least 12 people, with several countries calling emergency meetings of anti-terrorism officials to review security.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jan 4, 2015

Hachimura beginning to turn heads overseas

Rui "Louis" Hachimura is the next big thing coming out of Japan, and many are already paying attention to the 16-year-old basketball player's post-high school career.
Japan Times
JAPAN / 70 YEARS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY
Jan 2, 2015

As Abe pulls to the right, few go with him

How far has Japan shifted to the right? Is it trying to shed its legacy of postwar pacifism? Experts give their opinions on the LDP's latest moves as the new year opens.

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