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Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 10, 2017

Growth prospects under a changing climate

Climate-related natural disasters are no longer one-off occurrences, rather they are systemic events that need preventive action.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 10, 2017

Nearsightedness a cost of academic excellence

Vision problems in children take many forms. But the likely condition in Japan and the United States is nearsightedness as a result of a combination of genes, behavior and environment.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 10, 2017

Cuba, U.S. ink oil, toxic spill deal before Trump takes over

Cuba and the United States agreed on Monday to jointly prevent, contain and clean up oil and other toxic spills in the Gulf of Mexico, as they rush to conclude deals before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 7, 2017

Heavy metal in Japan: Love of craft runs deep

Although 2017 is the Year of the Fire Rooster, fire is not the only element destined to influence the next 12 months. Each of the 12 Chinese zodiac years is governed by one of five elements: wood, fire, earth, water and metal, resulting in 2017 taking the element of fire. According to the Five Elements...
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 7, 2017

Threshold level for lead exposure may be cut

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering lowering its threshold for elevated childhood blood lead levels by 30 percent, a shift that could help health practitioners identify more children afflicted by the heavy metal.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 7, 2017

Can the financial roadblock to marriage ever be dismantled?

On Dec. 20, an advisory panel assembled by the Prime Minister's Office drafted a final proposal for a bill that has a long-term goal of increasing the country's sagging birthrate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Jan 6, 2017

Film director on a mission to convey Okinawa protests over U.S. forces

In late December, work to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma was resumed at its Okinawa replacement site in Nago to the fury of locals who fear the project will destroy their lives and the environment.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 6, 2017

World heat shatters records in 2016 in new sign of global warming

Last year was the hottest on record by a wide margin, with temperatures creeping close to a ceiling set by almost 200 nations for limiting global warming, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service said on Thursday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Jan 5, 2017

Traditional crafts to welcome new year; luxury retreat for examination prep; inspired cocktails offer a twist

Traditional crafts to welcome new year
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2017

U.S. to resume Osprey in-flight refueling drills Friday despite Okinawa concerns

Less than a month after the crash of an MV-22 Osprey, the Defense Ministry on Thursday gave a tacit nod to the planned resumption.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 4, 2017

In New Year's speech, Abe prioritizes economic growth

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe maintained Wednesday that his top priority for the new year will continue to be the economy and that he will first try to have the Diet enact the fiscal 2017 budget as quickly as possible.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES,GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 4, 2017

Japan's rising sports stars look to raise the bar at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Setting new records, Japan's Olympians managed to haul in a very respectable 38 medals at the 2012 London Games and 41 last year in Rio de Janeiro. Their efforts are certainly something for the nation's up-and-coming young athletes to duplicate or even surpass, as there are many potential stars out there who could become household names by the time Tokyo hosts the Olympics about 3u00bd years from now.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jan 4, 2017

Children in Japan struggle to break out of poverty cycle

The relative poverty rate — the percentage of children living under the poverty line — has increased from 10.9 percent in 1985 to 16.3 percent in 2012. The figure translates into roughly 1 in 6 children.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 4, 2017

McDonald's opens shop near Vatican, upsetting purists, cardinal, but not nuns

McDonald's has opened a franchise just steps away from the gleaming white marble dome of St. Peter's Basilica, giving indigestion to some cardinals and local business owners.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 3, 2017

The special effect of Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Apichatpong Weerasethakul pokes a little fun at Thailand's superstitions.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GEARING UP FOR THE GAMES
Jan 2, 2017

Tokyo 2020 Olympics will come and quickly go, but the legacy is all-important

The eyes of the world will be on Tokyo for more than just the 16 days that it hosts the 2020 Olympics.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jan 2, 2017

Beijing enjoys brief respite, but choking smog to set return on Tuesday

The heavy smog that blanketed northern China over the weekend cleared somewhat on Monday, with flights in Beijing returning to normal, but it was likely only a brief respite.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 31, 2016

Misuzu Kaneko: A deeper empathy for the natural world

In her brief life, Japanese poet Misuzu Kaneko (1903-1930) produced a body of work with themes that are every bit as relevant today as when she first put pen to paper nearly 100 years ago. Ostensibly a writer of poems for children, Kaneko's work reveals a deep respect for the environment and an awareness...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / HOME TRUTHS
Dec 31, 2016

Getting too cozy to the next-door neighbors

In its Dec. 20 issue, Asahi Shimbun reported on a couple in their 60s living in Saitama City. Two years ago their neighbor installed an Eco Cute system that uses heat pump technology to heat water more efficiently and, thus, reduce electricity costs. But since the system was installed, the older couple's...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Dec 31, 2016

Miyagi school opening aids 3/11 recovery

The official opening of Miyanomori Elementary School on Jan. 10 represents an important stage in restoring some normalcy to the city.
EDITORIALS
Dec 30, 2016

Democracy under siege in 2017?

The struggle between democrats and authoritarians will likely be the defining fight of the year to come.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 30, 2016

What Japan, Asia should hear from President Trump

Given U.S. interests in Asia during a time of increasing tension, it is vital that the Trump administration show where it stands on key economic and defense issues affecting Tokyo and the broader region.
BUSINESS
Dec 30, 2016

Political upheavals around world may herald trouble for mega-deals in 2017

As companies brace for the impact of 2016's political shocks and looming elections next year, global appetite for mega-mergers may slow amid the prospect of increased protectionism.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 30, 2016

Buffalo Board of Education wants Trump GOP sidekick Paladino out over racial Obama slurs

An upstate New York builder and former Republican nominee for governor is facing possible removal from his seat on the Buffalo Board of Education for making racial slurs about President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

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