Search - 2019

 
 
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 20, 2020

Coronavirus poses risks to fragile recovery in global economy, says IMF

The outbreak of new coronavirus COVID-19 has already disrupted economic growth in China, and further spread to other countries could derail a "highly fragile" projected recovery in the global economy in 2020, the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 19, 2020

Shift to cleaner power sparks landmark green bond sale in Japan

In the gusty northeast, a power company is looking to fund offshore wind projects with a landmark sale of green bonds that seeks to muscle in on the growing pool of money available for environmentally friendly investments.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 19, 2020

North Korean defectors seek political voice in South with new party

A group of North Korean refugees launched a political party in South Korea on Tuesday, aiming to give a voice to the 33,500 defectors living in the South and oppose conciliation with Pyongyang.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Feb 19, 2020

Coronavirus outcomes range from pandemic to a new flu, experts say

It has already spread wider than SARS in 2003. It may not sweep the globe as swine flu did in 2009 but is more dangerous. It doesn't kill at anywhere near the terrifying pace of Ebola in 2014 but can be passed through the air.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Feb 19, 2020

'Grandpa Was Born Yesterday: Seiko Kajiura Exhibition'

Feb. 22-March 15
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Feb 19, 2020

'Creative Women 1940s-2000s'

Feb. 8-March 15
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 18, 2020

Take COVID-19, add a trade war and raise taxes: A recipe for disaster

Japan is facing a trifecta of challenges with severe economic consequences.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 17, 2020

India's use of facial recognition tech during protests stirs criticism

When artist Rachita Taneja heads out to protest in New Delhi, she covers her face with a pollution mask, a hoodie or a scarf to reduce the risk of being identified by police facial recognition software.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 17, 2020

Osaka referendum: Merger gets second chance, but are voters on board?

Five years after voters in the city of Osaka narrowly voted down a referendum on consolidating its 24 wards into five with more autonomy and eliminating the municipal assembly and mayor, another referendum is set for later this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2020

Fears over coronavirus prompt surge in telecommuting across Japan

The NTT group, Yahoo Japan and GMO Internet are among the companies trying to reduce the risk of their employees contracting the COVID-19 virus.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 16, 2020

Power and money in Japanese politics

The income and terms of office for lawmakers can help explain Diet bribery and corruption.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 16, 2020

Tourism hit from coronavirus will carry into 2021, travel experts say

Even as infections of the novel coronavirus seemed to be slowing at one point last week, the effects of the epidemic on the global tourism industry were accelerating rapidly.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Feb 15, 2020

Unmarried single parents find an unlikely ally in scrap over tax deduction

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party submitted an amendment to the Diet in January to expand the "widow's deduction" to cover single parents who have never been married. This system allows single parents who have lost spouses to death or divorce to deduct a certain amount of money from their taxable income...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Feb 15, 2020

COVID-19 reveals fractured moral impulse of social media

The outbreak of a new coronavirus in China, now officially named COVID-19, has sparked plenty of concern online — some valid, others more hyperbolic in nature. Like many global events in the social media age, the outbreak has also resulted in no shortage of fake news and racism. Both elements have...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Feb 15, 2020

Shuntaro Tanikawa: Acclaimed poet, beloved children's author

The best in children's literature earns devout adult fans too, and perhaps no other Japanese writer embodies such cross-generational popularity than Shuntaro Tanikawa.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 15, 2020

Bicycle lanes are moving everyone forward

Embracing the cycling culture, and investing accordingly, can help cities counter obesity, rising car use and pollution.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 15, 2020

In fresh scandal for Toshiba, subsidiary found to have booked ¥43.5 billion in fictitious sales

Toshiba Corp. said Friday that a subsidiary booked fictitious sales of ¥43.5 billion in 26 transactions recorded only on paper.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 14, 2020

J. League reaffirms commitment to safety for fans, players as new season approaches

After a record-setting 2019 season that saw larger crowds than ever attending games from Hokkaido to Okinawa, the J. League is committed to keeping both its fans and players safe.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2020

Kawasaki, known for poverty and pollution, confronts gentrification

Surrounded by bustling downtown streets, shopping malls and high-rises, Kawasaki Station and its vicinity are, on the surface, a paragon of urban development.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / Sound Off
Feb 14, 2020

SXSW ramps up its Japan game

A slew of Japanese artists are set to appear at the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas, between March 16 and 22.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Feb 13, 2020

Veteran forward Jawad Williams, rookie point guard Kai Toews bolster Brex for season's stretch run

The Utsunomiya Brex, who are built to win now, upgraded their roster in recent weeks.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Feb 13, 2020

Upscale jazz over dinner and Champagne

There's never a dull moment in Tokyo with its thriving entertainment scene, reputation as a first-class dining destination and the indulgent combination of both.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 12, 2020

Nissan sues Ghosn in Japan, seeks ¥10 billion in damages

Nissan Motor Co. is stepping up its pursuit of claims against former Chairman Carlos Ghosn, suing for ¥10 billion ($91 million) in damages from the former leader of the Japanese automaker and its alliance with Renault SA.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Feb 12, 2020

Japan's efforts to raise wages wane as firms embrace merit-based pay

More Japanese companies are shifting to merit-based pay as competition for workers heats up, but the change risks holding back the sort of blanket wage hikes the prime minister says are needed to inflate the economy.

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