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Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 5, 2009

'I Come With the Rain'

Vietnamese filmmaker Tran Anh Hung has a distinctive, high-contrast track record.
Reader Mail
Jun 4, 2009

No rationale for promiscuity

I would like to commend Jennifer Kim for speaking out against the glorification of promiscuity (in the film "Milk") in her May 14 letter, "Promiscuous lifestyle led nowhere." Other recent output from Hollywood, including "Brokeback Mountain," seems to be an attempt to legitimize a lifestyle that includes...
Reader Mail
Jun 4, 2009

Kowtowing to the bureaucrats

During their first Diet debate (May 27), Prime Minister Taro Aso responded to a line criticism from Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama by saying something to the effect that: "Implementing policy is the most important thing. Nothing will be accomplished if all you do is bash bureaucrats....
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2009

Letter to Obama likens North's gulags to Nazis

U.S. President Barack Obama, who will pay his respects Friday at the infamous Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp in Germany, has been sent an open letter from a Japanese citizens' group calling for the international community to denounce North Korea's notorious gulag system and not just focus on Pyongyang's...
EDITORIALS
Jun 2, 2009

Mr. Aso's faltering credibility

The credibility of Prime Minister Taro Aso as the nation's top leader has slipped another notch after he flip-flopped again — this time about whether to split up the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
EDITORIALS
Jun 2, 2009

More attention to agriculture

In the midst of a severe economic downturn, attention tends to focus on how to strengthen the nation's industrial sector. But attention also should be paid to agricultural policies. Agricultural administration is directly related to food safety and agricultural development can not only increase employment...
BUSINESS
Jun 2, 2009

French jeweler's diamond giveaway draws long lines

Lines curled around for blocks in Tokyo's Ginza district Monday for 5,000 tiny but free diamonds French jeweler Mauboussin was giving away in an attention-getting drive.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 2, 2009

The impossible idealist of Seoul

HONOLULU — The death of Roh Moo Hyun, the 16th president of the Republic of Korea (2003-2008), is a huge shock to South Korea's political world. A human rights lawyer with no college degree, Roh campaigned to revolutionize Korean politics and society by promoting clean politics, fighting corruption...
EDITORIALS
Jun 1, 2009

Effective control of child porn

There seems little chance that a law that protects children under 18 years old against sexual exploitation will be revised during the current Diet session. Both the ruling and opposition camps should strive to reach a compromise to improve the control of child pornography, since both camps have agreed...
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2009

Yokohama holds gala to mark its 150th year

YOKOHAMA — More than 3,400 people gathered Sunday for a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the opening of Yokoyama port and its role as Japan's gateway to the West.
COMMENTARY
May 31, 2009

Why isolate a global pariah even further?

LOS ANGELES — On the question of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, better known as (a) North Korea, (b) notorious charter member of former U.S. President George W. Bush's "axis of evil" and (c) pain-in-the-neck threat to world peace and stability, here are a few humble observations in light...
COMMENTARY / World
May 31, 2009

Obamanomics gets warning flag

PALO ALTO, Calif. — It is still too soon to gauge the full economic impact of U.S. President Barack Obama's implemented and proposed policies, but a preliminary read indicates limited short-term benefit at large long-term cost.
EDITORIALS
May 30, 2009

End of 'hereditary lawmakers'?

Those who "inherit" campaign machines, political funds and electoral districts from a close relative are dubbed "hereditary lawmakers." While the practice has been going on for years, it now has become a red-hot issue.
JAPAN
May 30, 2009

Aso's plan to split health ministry in trouble

Prime Minister Taro Aso's plan to split the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in two has apparently failed amid protests from members of his Liberal Democratic Party, drawing his leadership ability into question once again.
JAPAN
May 30, 2009

Ruling coalition rams through record ¥14 trillion extra budget

A record ¥14 trillion extra budget for fiscal 2009 was enacted by the Diet on Friday as the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc used its right to override the opposition again and force the legislation through.
JAPAN / YOKOHAMA AT 150
May 29, 2009

Yokohama — city on the cutting edge

Last in a series
SOCCER
May 29, 2009

Ronaldo won't rule out move

ROME (AP) Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United became uncertain again when he wouldn't say whether he will remain with the English champions next season.

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?