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Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 27, 2015

The mysterious appeal of bras, cleavage and singing teenagers in 'Pitch Perfect'

'Pitch Perfect" is a lively, likable movie. I'm not saying that out of a fear of sounding like a curmudgeonly granny who has to Google "peach slapped" to know what it means — but there's always that risk.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
May 25, 2015

Matsui finds comfort zone in ninth

When Yuki Matsui burst on the scene as a second-year player for Toko Gakuen at Summer Koshien in 2012, he was a sight to behold. He looked like one of the smallest players on the field, but the diminutive lefty's stature belied the fact that he was a giant with the ball in his hands.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues
May 24, 2015

Society helps sustain Japan's sordid sexual trade in schoolgirls

When you hear the expression "JK business," do you have any idea what kind of work this refers to? JK stands for joshi kōsei (high school girls). In Japan, JK is a very powerful brand — and high school girls are a highly valued commodity.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 21, 2015

Documents seized in bin Laden raid aired, show plots against U.S., al-Qaida job application

The U.S. released a trove of documents seized when special forces stormed Osama bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan in 2011 that include references to unfulfilled plots such as an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
May 20, 2015

Know the way of the sword, know thyself: a kendo primer

With Tokyo poised to host the world championships for the first time since the inaugural competition in 1970, here's all you need to know to get the most out of the bouts.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...
May 19, 2015

'Coach Crusher' likes Hamamatsu's chances going into Final Four

The Japan Times features periodic interviews with personalities in the bj- league. Coach Tomoya Higashino of the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix is the subject of this week's profile.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA / MAN ABOUT SPORTS
May 19, 2015

NBA playoffs offer everything from sublime to ridiculous

Some MAS musings on the disappointing-turned-exhilarating first two rounds of the NBA playoffs.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 19, 2015

Tokyo governor slams opaqueness of 'Imperial' central government's Olympic spending

As financing questions linger over the costly rebuilding of National Stadium for the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe lashes out at the central government, likening it to the reality-denying Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
COMMENTARY / World
May 19, 2015

Effort to revive Soviet glory backfire on Putin

Failed attempts by Vladimir Putin to reclaim glory for Russia in areas where the Soviet Union once excelled may present a bigger threat to his regime than falling living standards.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
May 18, 2015

Let's discuss inbound tourism in the news

Japan came ninth on the World Economic Forum's list of the most tourist-friendly countries for 2015, rising from 14th place in the previous 2013 rankings, the WEF said Wednesday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
May 16, 2015

Cruising the waves of Japan's culture

As the great ship surges into Tokyo Bay I'm on the prow, hair streaming in the wind, like Kate Winslet in "Titanic." Wooded crags come into view, dotted with buildings and the odd factory chimney. The buildings are modern, not wooden houses, but the crags are still much the same as Commodore Matthew...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 16, 2015

Marathon Japan

Thomas R.H. Havens warns us early in "Marathon Japan" that "the emphasis is on sports history, not the anthropology of running communities or body culture." What this means is that, for the most part, in place of analysis and interpretation we get facts, and those who aren't absolutely besotted with...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
May 16, 2015

Nash looks back on days with Dr. J

Years before Julius Erving became the iconic Dr. J and one of basketball's all-time legends, he established a friendship with Bob Nash that has lasted for decades.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
May 14, 2015

Messenger, agent disappointed with how Hanshin handled demotion

Matt Sosnick, the agent for Hanshin Tigers ace Randy Messenger, says both he and his client are very disappointed in the way the Tigers handled the right-hander's demotion to ni-gun earlier this week.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 14, 2015

League legend Newton reveals he's decided to retire

Jeff Newton, the winningest player in league history, has quietly retired.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
May 12, 2015

Grizzlies making noise in playoffs old-school style

Sitting on a bluff above the mighty Mississippi River is Memphis, a sleepy southern United States city known for not much more than its savory barbecue meats, being the home of famous rock and roll singer Elvis Presley and for the blues, the music celebrated in the city's history and on downtown Beale...
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2015

An open letter to Indian leader Narendra Modi

The Congress Party wasted 60 years. Narendra Modi must not waste the remaining 48 of his 60 months.
COMMENTARY / World
May 9, 2015

Pacquiao has shot at Philippines presidency

Filipino boxer Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao could ride his fame to the presidency, but in office he would face many serious problems.
Japan Times
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
May 8, 2015

Winning not a priority for Newcastle owner Ashley

Newcastle United fans had one wish granted on Jan. 2 when Alan Pardew left to become manager of Crystal Palace. The "Pardew Out" banners could be thrown away.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society / FOCUS
May 8, 2015

Singapore tries to tame 'Tiger Moms' regarding childrens' higher education

Singaporean Carmen Kok regrets that she never made it to university. She's not letting her daughter make the same mistake, even if she has to send her abroad to get a place.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 7, 2015

Gaming videos giving passionate players a social leg up

The man wakes up early in the morning and boots up a video game to play. While playing, he simultaneously utters his unfettered feelings into a microphone to alert hundreds of thousands of young Japanese fans that he is online and ready to rock.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / MLB / MAN ABOUT SPORTS
May 5, 2015

Ichiro stays ready as he learns National League game

It is pregame batting practice and new Miami Marlin Ichiro Suzuki is frolicking about the outfield pasture like a frisky colt.
Japan Times
TENNIS / MATCH POINT
May 5, 2015

Expert says Nishikori's rise to elite due to self-belief

Kei Nishikori's impressive performance in winning the Barcelona Open for the second straight year and the withdrawal of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic have made the Shimane native the favorite at this week's Madrid Open.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2015

Yet another example of why riots don't work

Solutions to the social problems that triggered the riots in Baltimore will not get easier if Americans embrace rioting as the voice of the oppressed.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 4, 2015

Marines arrive in Nepal; trio rescued after eight days under rubble

Three people were pulled alive from the rubble of their home eight days after Nepal's devastating earthquake, as a supply logjam threatened to hamper disaster relief efforts bolstered by the arrival of U.S. aircraft and troops.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE
May 3, 2015

'Omotenashi' a facade, wheelchair-bound consultant says

Unlike other students who enjoyed full mobility and could easily find jobs as convenience store clerks or waiters, the choices available to Toshiya Kakiuchi, 26, were limited as he sought to finance his studies at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

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