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COMMENTARY / World
May 8, 2014

Obama stakes his priorities

While President Barack Obama's recent Asian sojourn might have not been enough to dispel apprehensions of America's commitment to the region, it did signal that Washington has no intention of ceding its strategic space.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
May 7, 2014

Japanese firms have much to lose in battles over bogus outsourcing

The biggest reason companies sign outsourcing contracts with regular workers is to avoid all the obligations employers have to regular employees according to labor law.
Reader Mail
May 7, 2014

NHK failing its public mission

Regarding the May 3 article "Viewers target NHK chief Momii": This charade has been going on too long for the good of the nation. If NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii is reluctant to resign to resolve the problem that he created in the first place, and continues to cling to his benefactor — currently the...
COMMENTARY / World
May 5, 2014

West unable to concede Russia's point on Ukraine

It's hard to understand the rationale for Western, and Japanese, sanctions against Russia over Ukraine when a federal system that allows both sides reasonable autonomy under a central government is clearly the best answer.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
May 4, 2014

Chickens culled to halt bird flu

Racing to contain an avian flu outbreak, about 400 workers culled 112,000 birds at two Kumamoto chicken farms from Sunday night through Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
May 4, 2014

Pacific partners should push back against TPP until U.S. shows respect for financial reforms

Despite President Barack Obama's charm offensive in the region, Pacific nations should beware of the U.S. government's position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership until American negotiators show more respect for the regulation of financial services.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
May 4, 2014

Don't count on bubbles, wage hikes for more Asian growth

Japanese companies should realize the potential danger in relying on the continued expansion of Asian consumer spending, as it appears the region is headed for a period of economic stagnation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 3, 2014

Japan inked: Should the country reclaim its tattoo culture?

Tattooing is the most misunderstood form of art in contemporary Japan.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
May 3, 2014

Obama's pivot to Asia: Rebalance and reassure

Summits are all about symbolism and optics and on that score U.S. President Barack Obama's swing through Asia was a qualified success. Another few nails were hammered into the coffin of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with officials now edging toward a face saving TPP-Lite, but Americans paid little...
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
May 2, 2014

Matsusaka, Hida cows now shine in shoe biz

Leather shoes made out of high-quality hides from such cows as Hida and Matsusaka are becoming increasingly popular in Japan.
Reader Mail
Apr 30, 2014

Growing more women scientists

The April 16 AFP-JIJI article "Japan's scientists: just 14% female" must be frustrating for the Japanese government, but nowhere near as frustrating as it is for the women trying to mark their way in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Reader Mail
Apr 30, 2014

Much ado about 'fluid prejudice'

Regarding the April 28 Reuters article "China releases trove of Japanese sex slave records": It's wonderful to learn that China has released a "trove" of confidential Japanese records on sex slaves, but why weren't these records released decades ago?
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Apr 27, 2014

Japan whaling future in doubt

The future of whaling in Japan was thrown into doubt after the International Court of Justice ruled March 31 that the nation's annual hunt in the A ntarctic was not really for scientific purposes, as Tokyo had claimed, and ordered it halted.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Apr 26, 2014

Asian paradox: Closer but cooler

The mini-Cold War between Japan and South Korea has kept Washington busy as it tries to forge closer security ties between its allies to offset the rise of China. Policymakers confront the Asian paradox of deepening distrust and conflict in tandem with widening economic and human exchanges. Relations...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Apr 26, 2014

Palmer helping NBL players push for progress

Returning to the city where his pro basketball career was launched in 1990, Walter Palmer maintains deep convictions that a players union is a vital element for any league craving for legitimacy.
Reader Mail
Apr 26, 2014

Scuttling a chance to end the ill will

Regarding the April 20 AFP-Jiji article "Diet ranks vow to defy ICJ ruling": It was with considerable satisfaction that I heard of the recent 12-4 ruling by the International Court of Justice in favor of Australia's lawsuit against Japan's whaling program.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Apr 25, 2014

'Dream' rice expected to yield excellent sake

Aichi Prefecture has officially launched sales of Yume-ginga, a type of brewer's rice used to make high-quality sake.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 24, 2014

Obama assures Abe on Senkakus

President Barack Obama says Thursday that he wants to see a dispute between China and Japan over islands in the East China Sea resolved peacefully, while affirming that the mutual security treaty with Japan applies to the islands.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Apr 22, 2014

Anti-Abe forces emerging

Little was heard from Yasuo Fukuda, nor was much said about him, after he stepped down as prime minister in 2008. In recent months, though, he has been sought out by some LDP leaders to help repair the damage to relations with South Korea and China, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's style of diplomacy is said to have caused.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 21, 2014

How to run the euro area

To manage the eurozone, a multifaceted approach is required to prevent a vicious circle of public- and private-sector deleveraging leading to weaker economic activity that in turn results in a further deterioration in banks' asset quality.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / NET NEWS WATCH
Apr 21, 2014

Where there's smoke . . . there might be adults giving minors cigarettes

The Kanagawa Prefectural Police on Wednesday sent reports to prosecutors on 33 adults on suspicion of allowing minors to drink and smoke.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FUKUSHIMA FILE
Apr 20, 2014

Evacuees still wary of returning

An evacuation order for part of the Miyakoji district of Tamura, Fukushima Prefecture, was lifted April 1, but many residents haven't returned yet because of lingering concerns about radiation. They are also worried about the lack of jobs, shops and medical services.
Japan Times
JAPAN / NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Apr 20, 2014

'STAPgate' shows Japan must get back to basics in science

On Jan. 30, as NHK kicked off its evening news program with upbeat music, footage aired of a young woman with immaculately coiffed brown hair wearing pearl earrings and her trademark "kappogi," a Japanese-style white apron.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Apr 20, 2014

Higher sales tax introduced

Japan raised its sales tax on A pril 1 for the first time in 17 years in a move to stabilize government finances, but at the risk of undermining a shaky economic recovery.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 19, 2014

Can a solo career help a mascot stand out?

Several weeks ago Fuji TV's morning news show sent a reporter to the Gunma Prefecture "antenna shop" located across the street from the Kabukiza theater in Tokyo's Ginza district. The store, which sells products made in Gunma, pays ¥64 million a year in rent for the small two-floor space, and an independent...

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