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Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 6, 2015

Jazz trumpeter Toshinori Kondo issues a challenge to modern-day musicians

On a chilly Friday afternoon in December, trumpet player Toshinori Kondo reclines in the clutter of his Kawasaki recording studio, pours out two cups of shōchū liquor, and starts to explain what prompted him to abandon a lucrative career in Japan and move to Amsterdam in 1993.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE HIGH GROUNDS
Jan 6, 2015

Nozy Coffee knows blends are old news

Sometimes a bit of youthful brashness goes a long way. Masataka Nojo was still just a university student when he started his coffee empire in 2009, from a humble coffee stand in Kanagawa Prefecture's Shonan region.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jan 5, 2015

Think tank gives Japan-U.S. diplomacy an Okinawan voice

Shocked by indifference in Japanese and U.S. government circles toward the island's interests, a lawyer has taken matters into her own hands.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 5, 2015

Only modest growth expected for Japan's economy in fiscal 2015

The still-faltering economy, hit hard by April's consumption tax hike as well as bad weather last summer, is forecast to grow only modestly in fiscal 2015 despite the Abe administration's latest economic stimulus package.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 5, 2015

'Abenomics' property boost shrinks back to Tokyo

An economic rebound and loose money policy under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe briefly halted a long slide in Japan's commercial property market, but the benefits of "Abenomics" appear increasingly limited to Tokyo, leaving a moribund hinterland.
WORLD / Society
Jan 5, 2015

Safety overhaul piles pressure on Bangladesh garment industry

Undaunted by a run of horrific factory accidents that have hit Bangladesh's garments industry, two entrepreneurs bought Adorn Knitwear Ltd earlier this year.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 5, 2015

Boehner faces speaker challenge by at least two Republican rivals

John Boehner faces a long-shot challenge to his leadership from at least two U.S. House Republicans who say the speaker is too aligned with business-as-usual in Washington.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jan 4, 2015

Tens of thousands of officers expected to attend funeral of slain N.Y. cop

Tens of thousands of police officers were expected along with politicians and other mourners Sunday at the funeral of a New York City policeman killed last month in an ambush that deepened a rift between Mayor Bill de Blasio and the force.
BASKETBALL
Jan 4, 2015

Broncos finally claim first win of season

The Saitama Broncos finally found a way to chalk up a victory on Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / 70 YEARS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY
Jan 4, 2015

Patriotic few battle addiction to peace

The Japanese school system's treatment of modern history is so slipshod that having a rational debate on the need for war is nearly impossible, young nationalists say.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2015

China needs to embrace 'creative destruction'

As 2015 starts, China's leaders should learn from the experience of Japan in 2014. The travails of 'Abenomics' should be a warning to Chinese President Xi JInping.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 4, 2015

If Obama won't bring U.S. torturers to justice, why not compensate torture victims for life?

If President Barack Obama won't bring U.S. torturers to justice, why not compensate torture victims for lost wages, medical expenses, counseling and other costs of their detention?
Japan Times
JAPAN / AT A GLANCE
Jan 4, 2015

Ginza: Tokyo's beacon of prosperity

Ginza, Tokyo's posh shopping and entertainment district, has delighted visitors for over a century with high-end shops selling everything from jewelry and clothing to sweets and stationery.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 3, 2015

Hillman embraces new opportunity with Astros

Happy New Year to all readers of the Baseball Bullet-In, and we will start 2015 with an update on the new job of former Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman.
EDITORIALS
Jan 3, 2015

New copyright protections, risks

It is hoped that the revision to Japan's Copyright Law, which took effect this year, will help bring healthy development of digital publication, while affording new protections for publishers and authors.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 2, 2015

All eyes on Abe for war's 70th anniversary

As the 70th anniversary of the war looms, the world will be waiting to see how the Japanese government chooses to remember its misdeeds, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's statement under the microscope.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jan 2, 2015

With steady jobs scarce, South Korean students linger on campus

It's been a year since Seoul media and communications student Lee Woong-hee finished his studies, but the 26-year-old plans to skip his class graduation ceremony in February because he thinks retaining his student status will help him finally land a job.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 1, 2015

What if 'The Interview' had been made in Japan?

It couldn't happen here — that was my first takeaway from the massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment prompted by the Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy "The Interview." In the film, the two heroes journey to North Korea ostensibly to interview its real-life leader, Kim Jong Un, but in fact,...
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jan 1, 2015

Most read Culture stories of 2014

OK Go's Japanese-inspired music video and Sailor Moon's special birthday were some of the most read and shared Culture articles of 2014.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 1, 2015

Curtains up on 2015

Innovation adds sparkle to traditional forms
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 1, 2015

Kansai region on course to enhance its blossoming arts renaissance

In its 2013 policy report, the Agency for Cultural Affairs vowed to build "a nation based on culture and the arts" through the promotion of regional festivals, artist-in-residence programs and other events.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 1, 2015

Crowded skies in Southeast Asia put pressure on pilots, air traffic control

The sheer volume of flights in the skies over Southeast Asia is putting pressure on outdated air traffic control and on pilots to take risky unilateral action in crises such as that possibly faced by AirAsia Flight QZ8501.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 31, 2014

Forget North Korea, Sony hack may have been an inside job

At least one former employee of Sony Corp. may have helped hackers orchestrate the cyberattack on the company's film and TV unit, according to security researcher Norse Corp.

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