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Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 21, 2019

Juliette Binoche: 'There's something in the present that's more real'

The French actress discusses her love of Japan and her work with Japanese film directors, as well as her recent stint as a performing arts judge
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 21, 2019

GM sues Fiat Chrysler, alleging union bribery scheme cost it billions

General Motors Co. on Wednesday filed a racketeering lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, alleging that its rival bribed United Auto Workers (UAW) union officials over many years to corrupt the bargaining process and gain advantages, costing GM billions of dollars.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 20, 2019

Yukinori Yanagi: Resurrecting Akitsushima

For Yukinori Yanagi, whose work from the late '80s and '90s featured ants burrowing through national flags made of sand, nature is not synonymous with an anthropomorphically friendly 'harmony' or 'balance'; it's disruption, chaos, decay and metastasis.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 19, 2019

Let's discuss the imperial line of succession

An English lesson provides an opportunity to discuss the newly annointed Emperor Naruhito and his family.
BUSINESS
Nov 18, 2019

Nearly 20% of Japan households using e-money but cash still king

Almost a fifth of households use electronic money for small purchases, a survey by a central bank-affiliated research institute shows, up from a year ago and a sign the culture of cash-hoarding is changing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 18, 2019

Takedown: The monumental fall of auto titan Carlos Ghosn

It took two decades for "le cost-cutter" Carlos Ghosn to carve out his three-way automobile empire. But in a matter of days, it was ripped from his grasp.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 18, 2019

Japan's Showa flash flood of photography

The National Gallery of Canada showcases Showa Era (1926-89) photographers, whose documentation and interpretation of politics, culture, social issues and even the quotidian changed the face of modern photography in Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Kateigaho International Japan Edition
Nov 16, 2019

Artistry unfolds: Byōbu are a versatile element of interior design

Architect Yoshihiro Takishita has a diverse collection of byu014dbu folding screens to suit every season or mood.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Nov 16, 2019

Yoshi Shimizu: Curiosity and the camera

Taking an elective course on photography while studying business in California changed the whole course of Yoshi Shimizu's career.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Nov 16, 2019

Sakai Shokai: Quality izakaya dining at this hidden Shibuya gem

Hideaki Sakai doesn't make it easy to find his diminutive premises. Hidden on the second floor of an anonymous building on a quiet backstreet on the "wrong" side of Shibuya, it is invisible from the street. You access it through an unmarked door next to an offal specialist grill, up a steep flight of...
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Nov 16, 2019

Gazing in wonder at the many faces of the moon

Why do the sun and the moon see so little of each other?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 15, 2019

U.S.-China trade tensions could last 20 years, says Alibaba's Jack Ma

Jack Ma, the co-founder and former chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., has warned that the U.S.-China relationship could face 20 years of "turbulence" if the two superpowers aren't careful in how they handle trade.
Reader Mail
Nov 15, 2019

Korean preschools should be free, too

I'm writing to express my concern about the free preschool education program that took effect Oct. 1. I'm a third-generation Korean in Japan and the mother of a 7-year-old son who goes to a Korean school.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Nov 15, 2019

Through scandal and stellar sales, AKB48 dominated the past decade in Japan

Do you know the songs? 'Heavy Rotation,' 'Gingham Check,' 'Ponytail to Shushu' .... Even if you don't, you're likely aware of the sales model that AKB48 has exported to the rest of the world.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Nov 14, 2019

Keep warm with hearty meals served en cocotte

Head to the Hotel Century Southern Tower's Cocotte Fair for a marriage of prime Japanese produce and French brasserie cooking techniques.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 14, 2019

Asia's 'mini-Chinas' struggle to capitalize on U.S. trade war

The U.S.-China trade war has reignited the debate over which developing countries in Asia could take over the mantle of the world's workshop. The front-runners? India and Indonesia.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Nov 14, 2019

Ditch the debate tactics when it comes to persuading Japanese colleagues on a course of action

Coming to a compromise, PowerPoint presentations and group consensus will help you get your way at work over an impressive oral argument.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
Nov 12, 2019

Kenya hosts global sexual health summit amid protests from Catholics and pro-life groups

The United Nations and Kenyan government on Monday came under fire on the eve a global conference on sexual and reproductive health with Christian groups claiming hosting the event was promoting abortion and homosexuality in the East African nation.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Nov 11, 2019

Levanga veteran Takehiko Orimo doesn't want special treatment for All-Star curtain call

Japanese basketball's own living legend Takehiko Orimo says that he would absolutely be honored if he gets the nod. But he does not want the occasion to be a farewell stage.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 11, 2019

Why Japan's English education is a fiasco

The first step toward improving Japanese student's English-speaking ability is to ensure their English teachers can speak the language.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Commentary
Nov 11, 2019

Four-day workweek could be just what Japan needs

In the sitcom "The Office," a bumbling manager spends much of his time distracting the hapless employees of a paper company's local sales branch. Somehow, despite all the antics that seem to interfere with getting anything done, the branch consistently manages to be the company's most profitable. Though...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 9, 2019

Back to 'The Factory' in a new era of meaningless work

Hiroko Oyamada's award-winning debut novel, "The Factory," measures out in terse detail an indictment of contemporary work culture. Set in modern Japan where the norms of underpay and overwork are well-known, the novella evokes the worst of the Silicon Valley-type tech campuses and asks the question:...
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Kateigaho International Japan Edition
Nov 9, 2019

Artistry unfolds: Glimpsing the souls of nature-loving byōbu artists

Through byu014dbu, we can glimpse the souls of the artists who expressed their love of nature in these screen paintings, and the souls of the people who cherished those images as part of their day-to-day existence.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 9, 2019

'World Heritage Japan': John Lander photographs the country's UNESCO sites

If there's a country more infatuated with receiving UNESCO heritage status than Japan, please name it.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2019

Japan's rugby, disasters and social change generate buzzwords in 2019

The 2019 Rugby World Cup, natural disasters and cashless payment inspired a large portion of the nominations for the annual buzzword of the year awards.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 8, 2019

Japan school boards start to rethink 'black rules' on everything from underwear to protesting

Japan's teaching culture prizes conformity and docility, but the public is apparently getting fed up with the suffocating rules imposed to achieve that.

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