Search - culture

 
 
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 16, 2014

Worry, mystification in China over Scotland independence vote

As Scotland heads to the polls Thursday to vote on whether to become independent, one country with restive regions of its own is watching the debate unfold with nervousness and some mystification — China.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2014

G1 Global Conference 2014 takes up sales tax question

G1 Summit, led by Globis Management School Dean Yoshito Hori, hosted the G1 Global Conference 2014, in which politicians, business executives and scholars held panel discussions in English, in Tokyo on Monday.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 14, 2014

Springfield comes alive as 'The Simpsons' take over the Hollywood Bowl

Under the starry skies of Hollywood on Friday, the animated world of America's longest-running television series "The Simpsons" came alive through music and lively performances from the cast on stage at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Sep 13, 2014

Kodomo no Ie: home away from home

The sound of giggling fills a room at Kodomo no Ie, a children's institution in northern Tokyo, as a group of half a dozen girls work on their homework while waiting for dinner to be served. It's the same situation that is typically played out in homes across the country, except these are no ordinary...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Sep 13, 2014

Kibiji bike path: eating local in the slow lane

It doesn't take a great mind to read a map, and neither does it take one to get lost. I found myself doubting my direction three times as the Kibiji bike path — one of Japan's top 100 cycling roads — wound its way through pear- and grape-growing country, past a continuous patchwork of rice fields...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Sep 13, 2014

Losing count of words for groups of animals

A recent brief visit to eastern England, my annual pilgrimage to speak at the British Birdwatching Fair, has stirred childhood memories of a nursery rhyme, stirred teenage memories of my first natural-history rambles, and was a subtle reminder of how quickly our language is evolving.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 13, 2014

Gov. Masuzoe outlines grand tourism plan for Tokyo

Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe sketches out his 'long-term vision' for the capital and lays out some of the steps needed to turn it into a tourism magnet.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: FASHION
Sep 12, 2014

Adventurous fashion abounds this month

Zadig & Voltaire is ready to rock in Aoyama
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 12, 2014

Asteroid-mining race starts with few laws in place

Nobody is expected to start mining asteroids this decade, but the U.S. Congress is to hold hearings on the Asteroids Act, legislation that takes a simple line: If you extract a resource from an asteroid, it's yours.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 11, 2014

Dreams made in a galaxy far, far away

Is Chris Pratt on his way to becoming Hollywood's next big action hero? The guy whose face you may recognize from various romcoms, but more likely know as Andy Dwyer from the U.S. sitcom "Parks and Recreation," has been raking in the praise for his latest film, "Guardians of the Galaxy."
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Sep 11, 2014

Enoshima makes the most of the last days of summer

"Aloha," the greeting used in Hawaii, is believed to be more than a simple salutation. Hawaiians say it's related to a way of life — one of honesty, truthfulness, patience, kindness and humbleness.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / 'SUMMER DAVOS' SPECIAL 2014
Sep 10, 2014

Suzuki promotes Mie Pref. globally

Mie Gov. Eikei Suzuki, selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum this year, is trying to promote his prefecture on the global stage.
BUSINESS / Economy / 'SUMMER DAVOS' SPECIAL 2014
Sep 10, 2014

Young global leaders focus energy and knowledge on better future for all

The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs), created in 2004, is a unique community formed by the most exceptional leaders from every region of the world and every stakeholder in society. These honorees have committed their energy and knowledge to the most critical issues facing humankind. Already successful...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Sep 10, 2014

Japanese artists to the fore in 2014 Avignon Festival

With its declared mission being to widen participation, this summer's 68th Avignon Festival in the South of France boasted 37 productions from 17 countries, with 25 of the works by newcomers and half by artists under 35. As well, the work chosen to open the beautiful medieval city's three-week annual...
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Sep 10, 2014

China offers hefty rewards for 'terrorism' tips in Xinjiang

China is offering up to 1 million yuan ($160,000) in rewards to "terrorism" informants in its western Xinjiang region, state media said on Tuesday, in the latest policy aimed at getting a handle on unrest there.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / KANPAI CULTURE
Sep 9, 2014

Green fairy leads to Tokyo absinthe bar

Five years ago, Hiroyasu Kayama developed a fascination with absinthe. Shortly before opening his bar Ben Fiddich in July 2013, he took a pilgrimage to the famous absinthe-producing town of Pontarlier, which lies on the French border with Switzerland. Now, the 30-year-old mixologist wants to start an...
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 8, 2014

Stupid advice for women worried about rape

Anyone who doubts that politically correct online activitists are out to lunch need only read up on their reaction to a nail polish that allows women to discreetly discover whether their drink has been spiked by one of several common 'date rape' drugs.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Sep 7, 2014

Yoko and author's other furry friends help kids cope with childhood challenges

Rosemary Wells' stories — including a series about a Japanese kitten's experience at an American school — have been delighting children and adults alike around the world for over 40 years.
EDITORIALS
Sep 6, 2014

Social media damps debate

A new American study finds that regular users of social media sites are among the least likely to share opinions or start a political debate, either online or in person.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Sep 5, 2014

First-language classes in Aichi struggle to find funding

Various cities in Aichi Prefecture have started offering language classes to children of foreign descent in their first language.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 4, 2014

Tokyo Girls' Style gets glow sticks waving at @Jam Expo

The glow stick business must be booming. Sure it was a staple of 1990s rave culture, but the modern idol-pop scene has taken to them at least threefold. And Yokohama Arena was filled with them last weekend at the @Jam Expo.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 3, 2014

A quarter century of Japanese films in review

In 25 years of reviewing Japanese films and interviewing Japanese filmmakers for this newspaper, I've written 1 million words, give or take a few. This is clearly something no normal person would do, but for me it beats working.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 3, 2014

No

In 1988, Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, who came to power in a bloody coup in 1973, decided to hold a national referendum — a simple yes or no vote — on whether he should extend his rule by eight years. It was supposed to be an exercise in sham democracy to stem international criticism and legitimize...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 3, 2014

Sake-Bomb

Director: Junya Sakino Language: English, Japanese (subtitled in English)
BUSINESS
Sep 3, 2014

Since MH370 vanished, Thai coup erupted, Chinese tourists steering clear of Southeast Asia

China's biggest online travel agency is offering a 30 percent discount on trips to Southeast Asia's beaches and malls. The Chinese aren't buying it.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 2, 2014

Mizuho to encourage equity analysts to become investment bankers

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. plans to encourage equity research analysts to become investment bankers as the megabank competes for business arranging share sales and advising on mergers.

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