Search - environment

 
 
JAPAN / 70 YEARS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY
Dec 31, 2014

Year ahead may mark turning point for SDF

The 70th year since the end of World War II may be a watershed for the Self-Defense Forces if they undergo the historic changes planned by the Cabinet.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 30, 2014

Autistic people find independence at unique facility in Saitama

Due to a dearth of job opportunities in Japan for autistic people, mainly deriving from a lack of understanding toward the disorder, it is often difficult for them to lead independent lives after they attain adulthood.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2014

Thai regime plays royal card to silence critics

The military regime in Thailand appears to be trying to silence political critics of the monarchy by charging them with lese-majeste offenses.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 27, 2014

Learning to love robots

With half the decade complete, we examine an industry that has significantly changed the way we think about ourselves.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 27, 2014

Plastic debris damages marine environment

There are plastic shopping bags, bottles, toys, action figures, bottle caps, pacifiers, tooth brushes, boots, buckets, deodorant roller balls, umbrella handles, fishing gear, toilet seats and so much more. Plastic pollution is pervasive in Earth's oceans.
EDITORIALS
Dec 25, 2014

Testing students' ability to think

An education ministry council could be presenting an over-idealized picture of its proposed reforms of Japan's university entrance exams, often criticized for placing too much emphasis on rote learning.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2014

A tipping point for Pakistan?

The attack on an army school in Peshawar, Pakistan, was the Taliban's single deadliest in its history. The question now is whether it will turn out to be a turning point for Pakistan in its relations with the group.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 22, 2014

Sony considers options for release of 'The Interview'

Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton is looking for a new way to release the satirical film 'The Interview' after U.S. theater chains refused to show it over threats of violence from hackers linked to North Korea.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Dec 21, 2014

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble: a gaijin's lot in Japan?

A selection of readers' responses to Debito Arudou's last column, 'Time to burst your bubble and face reality.'
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2014

Vexed Riken halts Obokata's bid to prove stem cell discovery

Discredited scientist Haruko Obokata's quest to prove her stem cell discovery comes to an end as Riken halts a monthslong attempt to verify the “STAP cell” phenomena.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 19, 2014

Under Xi, China is coming clean on dirty air

Recent developments in China suggest that, after decades of prioritizing economic growth over the environment, the country now seems set to pressure and even embarrass some of its most powerful corporate citizens to curb pollution.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 19, 2014

Did the U.S. auto industry learn anything?

With General Motors' Chevrolet Volt and Chrysler's government-mandated 1.4-liter turbocharged engine failing in the marketplace, the two American automakers find themselves falling further behind in a technological arms race that has as much to do with innovation as it does with saving the environment.
EDITORIALS
Dec 18, 2014

Russia's downward slide

The decision by Russia's Central Bank to practically double interest rates in the middle of the night is a bad sign. The question now is how President Vladimir Putin will double-down to get Russia through a perfect economic storm.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 18, 2014

Tokyo Gas takes wraps off its first hydrogen filling station

Tokyo Gas Co. on Thursday unveiled its first commercial hydrogen station as automakers prepare to usher in a new age in driving technology.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 17, 2014

Venus in Fur: 'Polanski crams a lot into this uncomfortable comedy of mind games'

Roman Polanski, not content with having cast his actress wife Emmanuelle Seigner as a cruel and sultry dominatrix in "Bitter Moon" (1994), repeats the trick with "Venus in Fur." But if the first film was tragedy, this time it's farce. Rather like he did in the excellent "Carnage" (2011), Polanski is...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2014

How regulation spurs growth

The world's richer countries created their regulatory infrastructure over generations, during a time of little direct global competition. Emerging markets need to create theirs in a greatly compressed time frame to strengthen their growth capacity.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2014

Controversial to the end, Shintaro Ishihara bows out of politics

Hawkish former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara officially puts an end to his nearly 50-year political career after losing his Diet seat in Sunday's Lower House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 16, 2014

Unlocking carriers' SIM hold on cellphones: Will competition heat up?

In October, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced new guidelines on removing the SIM lock on cellphones, saying carriers will be required to unlock handsets starting next May.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 15, 2014

Kaieda quits as DPJ chief after humiliating ejection from Diet

Humiliated by the loss of his seat in the Lower House election, Banri Kaieda resigns as president of the Democratic Party of Japan.

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