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EDITORIALS
Feb 17, 2010

Jobs, wages still a concern

Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) in the October-December quarter increased 1.1 percent in real terms or an annualized 4.6 percent from the previous quarter, marking expansion for three consecutive quarters. GDP for all of 2009 fell 5 percent in real terms from 2008 — the worst contraction since...
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Feb 17, 2010

Keep your fūtō out of your mouth at the post office

A fun part of living thousands of miles from family and friends is sending packages home — that is, so long as you know the requisite jargon to communicate at the yūbin kyoku (郵便局, post office).
COMMENTARY
Feb 16, 2010

China's reaction raises doubt about its intent

HONG KONG — China's reaction to the announcement by Washington of a large arms sales package to Taiwan suggests that, 20 months after Taiwan replaced hostility with cooperation in its dealings with the mainland, Beijing still believes it will ultimately need to use force to bring about unification....
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Feb 14, 2010

A winter's tale of time-warp Takayama

After a while you tire of the easy destinations — the usual spots with their inevitable touristic clutter. So you decide on somewhere different — somewhere that's far from the madding crowds and far, too, from the yet more madding megaphone-toting tour guides.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Feb 14, 2010

Could 'Godzilla cherry blossom' save Japanese culture?

Cherry blossom is as quintessentially Japanese as sushi and samurai.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Feb 14, 2010

Foreign trainees easily exploited as bosses take advantage of system

Several weeks ago, TV Asahi's nightly news show "Hodo Station" ran a special report on the uncertain future of Japanese agriculture.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 13, 2010

Community rallies around Olympic skater Nagasu

The Indianapolis Colts were kicking off to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. At the same time, 2,700 miles (4,350 km) away at Arcadia Presbyterian Church, there was a kickoff of another sort.
SUMO
Feb 13, 2010

Fans object to Asashoryu's retirement pay

A generous retirement package proposed for former sumo yokozuna Asashoryu has angered some fans in Japan.
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Feb 12, 2010

QR code breaking out of the box

Companies and municipalities are still finding new ways to unlock the potential of QR codes in Japan.
EDITORIALS
Feb 12, 2010

Mr. Hatoyama's bold move

In a bold and surprising move, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama Wednesday appointed Mr. Yukio Edano, a 45-year-old Democratic Party of Japan Lower House member, as administrative reform minister. Mr. Edano, well-versed in policy matters, is highly qualified as a government waste-cutter. His joining the...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Feb 12, 2010

Four Seasons Chinzan-so maiko show

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so's Japanese restaurant Miyuki will offer a Kyoto-themed meal and entertainment event on Feb. 28, inviting maiko from the ancient capital.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / BY THE GLASS
Feb 12, 2010

Fine wines from a complex region

According to the philosopher Isaiah Berlin, great thinkers can be separated into two broad categories: hedgehogs and foxes. While hedgehogs view the world through one single defining idea, foxes embrace the multitude of contradictory experiences that life throws up.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Feb 12, 2010

Tolman Collection holds art clearance sale

Some people might be interested in buying artwork, but hefty price tags can often scare them away.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Feb 12, 2010

Impressionist originality challenged by Italian 'patch' painters

Artistic reputations are very important to some countries. In the case of France and Italy, a large proportion of their GNP is dependent on their perceived image as centers of aesthetic excellence — something that pays dividends in terms of income from tourism and demand for designer goods. This is...
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2010

Mariana chiefs happy to reap all of Futenma

HAGATNA, Guam (Kyodo) The Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. commonwealth including Tinian, is willing to host the whole U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma now in Okinawa, local leaders said Wednesday, citing the economic benefits.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2010

NGOs air concerns over strife in Gaza Strip

Japanese nongovernmental organizations and Diet members expressed serious concern Tuesday over the conflict-ravaged Gaza Strip, urging the government and the international community to be more proactive in working toward peace in the Middle East.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2010

Toyota the city rides out the storm

TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. — Even in its hometown, the great automaker has lost some of its mystique.

Longform

Eme-Ima Kitchen is one of over 10,000 kodomo shokudō in Japan. A term first used in 2012 to describe makeshift eateries offering free or cheap meals to disadvantaged kids, it now refers to a diverse range of individuals, groups and organizations working to provide not only food but a sense of belonging to both children and adults.
Japan’s ‘children’s cafeterias’ are booming — but is that a good thing?