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Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 28, 2015

Paranoid: North Korea's computer operating system mirrors its political one

North Korea's homegrown computer operating system mirrors its political one, according to two German researchers who have delved into the code: a go-it-alone approach, a high degree of paranoia and invasive snooping on users.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Dec 28, 2015

China passes first domestic violence law, gay couples excluded

China's largely rubber stamp parliament on Sunday passed the country's first law against domestic violence, which covers unmarried people who cohabit but does not protect gay couples, a senior lawmaker said.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Dec 27, 2015

Japan's culture and courts need to get with the program on overtime

Practice and precedent fly in the face of government slogans about achieving 'work-life balance' and reducing Japan's excessively long work hours.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 27, 2015

The folly of a British 'Brexit'

A British exit from the European Union would have dire consequences.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Dec 27, 2015

The best Japanese indie albums of 2015

While it remains this column's firm conviction that J-pop is trapped in a self-perpetuating dark age, the indie and underground music scenes provide a far livelier picture of Japan's musical landscape. In 2015, there was such a flow of fascinating new releases arriving from all angles that it was difficult...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 26, 2015

Tokyo digs: It's hosteling, but not as we know it

A line of around 30 people queueing for snacks snakes around the inside of Izakaya Bunka, a Japanese-style pub, during its packed opening night on Dec. 14. Staffers at the Asakusa Ward spot have laid out an impressive buffet-style spread for all in attendance, set in front of a stack of nihonshu (Japanese...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Dec 25, 2015

Why are Japanese children the healthiest in the world?

In a country where food culture permeates all aspects of life and society, it is perhaps unsurprising that Japan leads the "World Health Olympics," in the words of Naomi Moriyama and William Doyle. In their book, "Secrets of the World's Healthiest Children," the pair proselytize for the traditional diet...
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2015

Japan drastically lowers its goal for female managers in government and private sector

The government abandons its aim of having women in 30 percent of management roles by 2020.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 24, 2015

Meiji Shrine: grounds to ring in the year

As a relatively new place of worship, established less than a century ago in 1920, Meiji Shrine was originally based around the concept of wakonyu014dsai — a belief that treasured the Japanese 'soul,' while still embracing influences from the West. Its unusual omikuji, therefore, is not the only unique feature of the shrine.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Dec 24, 2015

Relaxing with a cup of afternoon tea; ring in 2016 with music, Champagne; experience tradition with temple tour

Relaxing with a cup of afternoon tea
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Dec 23, 2015

Tattooist's legal challenge could lift industry in Japan or send it underground

Tattooist Taiki Masuda is challenging a law that makes him a criminal for practicing what he considers a form of art.
WORLD / Society
Dec 22, 2015

In Europe, some heed Pope's call to succor refugees, others look away

One Catholic parish in Germany tore out its pews to make space for refugees. Franciscan monks near Rome took a family into their hilltop convent.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 22, 2015

'New' Kyoto theater promises a mighty arts boost

More than half a century since it opened in 1960 as one of Japan's first multipurpose cultural centers, and almost exactly four years after its doors last closed, the Kyoto Kaikan will be reborn transformed on Jan. 10 as the ROHM Theatre Kyoto.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Dec 22, 2015

China poised to pass anti-terror law this month with West-opposed cyber-provisions

China's controversial anti-terrorism law could be passed as soon as the end of this month, state news agency Xinhua said on Monday, legislation that has drawn concern in Western capitals for its cyber-provisions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2015

Former Line CEO's new venture aims to track the pulse of world fashion with smartphone videos

Having already spent time in the limelight as the CEO of Line Corp., Akira Morikawa has now started a new venture that targets would-be fashionistas and connoisseurs of popular culture.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Dec 20, 2015

Celebrating success with catfish and cupcakes

A look at two power couples of African descent who have focused their skills, talents and wherewithal on introducing tastes of the West to Eastern palates.
Japan Times
CULTURE / CULTURE SMASH
Dec 19, 2015

Hatsune Miku: the 'nonexistent' pop star

My 2015 kicked off with a January concert by Hatsune Miku, Japan's digital pop star, in Las Vegas. It is winding down with a visit to Miku's creator, Hiroyuki Itoh, at his company's head office in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
JAPAN / History / THE LIVING PAST
Dec 19, 2015

Japan's 'Christian century' failed to blossom

Christmas approaches. Christian or not, the mind turns to Christian themes.
EDITORIALS
Dec 19, 2015

No place for Islamophobia

Donald Trump's comment to block all entry for Muslims is so blatantly discriminatory that it marks a new low in the worsening political atmosphere in the United States.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 18, 2015

Turnbull says 'disappointment is real' over Japan's whaling move

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will use his first visit to Japan since becoming leader to tell counterpart Shinzo Abe of his "strong, very principled opposition" to Tokyo's plan to resume whaling.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2015

Why SoftBank matters a great deal to Japan Inc.

SoftBank maverick CEO Masayoshi Son stands out in a country where corporate conservatism reigns.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2015

Japan's quiet deterrence

The stakes are getting higher in the U.S. and Japan's 'game of deterrence' with China.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 15, 2015

'Prayers to Water'

Dec. 16-Feb. 7
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 14, 2015

Japan's U.S. entanglement

Japan's overreliance on America at times causes its diplomacy to act in a way seemingly at odds with its own interests.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 14, 2015

To see the future of electric cars, look to China

The real action on electric vehicles is happening in China, where smoggy skies and government subsidies are creating the perfect conditions for them to thrive.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / ADVANCES IN PROGRESS
Dec 14, 2015

Fintech firms make inroads into the banking biz

With startups offering financial technology services raking in billions of dollars around the world, fintech, coined from "finance" and "technology," has become a buzzword that old guards at big name financial institutions can no longer ignore.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 12, 2015

Food for thought: A traditional Okinawan diet may help prolong life

The view that, if there is a Garden of Eternal Life, it is likely located in Okinawa, may be a touch exaggerated but few places offer better models for the correlation between food, health and longevity than Japan's southern islands.

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