Search - 2020

 
 
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 23, 2020

Trump signals he might not sign U.S. COVID-19 relief bill

U.S. President Donald Trump injected confusion into the outlook for COVID-19 relief on Tuesday night, demanding changes to the bipartisan legislation approved by Congress less than 24 hours earlier.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 23, 2020

‘Each day is critical’: South Korea’s 11th-hour battle with COVID-19

In several provinces across South Korea, there are no ICU beds available to treat the rapidly rising number of COVID-19 patients. As of Monday, the government confirmed that there were only 42 beds available nationwide. In the Seoul metropolitan area, home to half of the country’s population and the...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 22, 2020

Leaving Hong Kong: A family makes a wrenching decision

Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers are expected to emigrate as Beijing tightens its grip over its most restive city.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 22, 2020

Big Tech's stealth push to influence the Biden administration

The moves come as a pushback against tech firms from progressive groups and regulators grows.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 22, 2020

‘The whole city was dark’: China rations electricity for millions

The drastic measures point to potential longer-term problems in China's energy universe, as leaders juggle competing priorities.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 22, 2020

'Little ghosts': Hundreds of Thai migrants have died in South Korea, investigation finds

Advocates say migrants are overworked, unable to access health care and unlikely to report exploitation for fear of being deported.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 22, 2020

EU clears Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for first inoculations

Preparations for the vaccine roll-out come as the identification of a highly infectious new strain of the coronavirus in Britain caused chaos across the region.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2020

Ezra Vogel saw the good in every person and every nation

Ezra F. Vogel, one of the country's leading experts on East Asia, whose scholarship spanned from family issues to social welfare, industrial policy, international relations and history, passed away on Sunday at age 90.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Dec 21, 2020

How has COVID-19 changed Japan's pop culture? Episode 1: Collapse

In Episode 1 of Recultured, we look at how 2020 ground to a halt through the lens of "Terrace House," and hear from stars of the show about its dramatic ending amid the arrival of COVID-19.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 21, 2020

The SolarWinds cybersecurity wake-up call

The SolarWinds attack unfolded over many months, and coincided with governments' latest negotiations to strengthen and clarify cyber norms.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Dec 21, 2020

A summer of solidarity: Looking back on the Black Lives Matter marches in Japan

COVID-19 wasn't the only story of 2020. In May, footage of the murder of George Floyd was posted online and resulted in a month of protest in the U.S. and in Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 21, 2020

China’s online shopping addiction is killing its green packaging drive

Greenpeace estimates that China's Singles' Day generated 52,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide from manufacturing, packaging and shipping in 2017.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 21, 2020

A company made gloves for the world. Now its workers have the virus.

Top Glove's low-paid workers in Malaysia began to suffer from a ferocious outbreak of COVID-19, the result of its own inadequate protections, critics say.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2020

Santa Claus bikers parade in Tokyo against child abuse

At the parade, bikers said this year's event meant more, because more children were vulnerable to domestic violence during the pandemic.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / JAPANESE KITCHEN
Dec 19, 2020

This is the quintessential Japanese noodle dish you should eat over new year

Toshikoshi soba is a comforting dish best enjoyed slowly, perhaps with some sake, while you quietly plan ahead for a better 2021.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / DESSERT WATCH
Dec 19, 2020

Take 2021 by the horns with sweets fit for the Year of the Ox

More than over the Year of the Rat? Moo-ve into 2021 with these cow-themed cupcakes from Fairycake Fair.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 19, 2020

An epic year of market events shook China, Hong Kong and Taiwan

China, Hong Kong and Taiwan's economies were among the first to suffer from the virus pandemic. They were also home to some of the most dramatic events in global financial markets this year.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 19, 2020

Trump claims credit for vaccines. Some of his backers don’t want to take them.

Elizabeth Graves, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, is not opposed to vaccines. She said she had taken flu shots and pneumonia shots and, having just turned 50, was interested in being vaccinated against shingles.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 19, 2020

Toshiba again seeks acquisitions after string of deal flops

Chastened by a string of disastrous overseas acquisitions, the industrial giant is once again looking to buy — this time more cautiously and closer to home.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / View from Osaka
Dec 19, 2020

From Expo 2025 to tourists, Kansai’s hopes for the coming year

Economic recovery and making plans for a post-coronavirus world are set to be on the minds of residents and businesses in the region going into 2021.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 18, 2020

As Singapore ventures back out, migrant workers are kept in

As the government prepares for the final phase of reopening this month, migrant workers will not be part of it.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 18, 2020

Five things to watch in Japanese politics in 2021

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's power atop the government is not assured, and with some significant elections scheduled, domestic politics could once again shake things up at the top.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Dec 18, 2020

Carp's Ryosuke Kikuchi captures eighth straight Golden Glove

Kikuchi's award capped off a historic season in which the second baseman did not commit a single error for the Central League side.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 18, 2020

Wall Street’s prediction of ¥100 to the dollar catching on at Japan banks

The yen at u00a5100 to the dollar is a tough call for Japan's banks, mainly because it's the point where domestic exporters start losing money.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Dec 18, 2020

Denmark toughens rape law to include sex without explicit consent

In order to bring a rape charge, the law previously required proof of violence, threat or evidence that the victim was unable to fend off the assault.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 18, 2020

Google’s legal peril grows in face of third antitrust suit in U.S.

The cascade of lawsuits against Google, which the company says it will fight in court, are indicative of the growing backlash against the largest tech companies.

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