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EDITORIALS
Jan 26, 2012

Tax plan ill-timed and ill-thought

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made a policy speech before the Diet on Tuesday as it started a regular session for 2012. His main theme was a raise of the consumption tax and he called on opposition parties to take part in consultations on the matter with his ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 24, 2012

Nadeshiko Japan eyes London Olympic gold

Japan's overtime defeat of the United States in the 2011 women's World Cup soccer finals inspired a nation suffering from the March 11 disaster and ensuing nuclear crisis. This year will see the club dubbed Nadeshiko Japan attempt to repeat their success at the Summer Olympics in London. Following are...
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jan 23, 2012

It's Murphy's Law if you don't get the joke in Japanese

If you miss the punch line to a Japanese joke, don't feel bad. It's simply unrealistic to use something as elusive as humor to measure your ability to understand a foreign language.
Japan Times
LIFE
Jan 22, 2012

What to call baby?

While clearing closets at my parents' house in Nara in December following my mother's death the month before, I came across a large square card in a pile of old documents. A snapshot of a baby looking at a birthday cake was glued in the center of the card, and I recognized that it was me at the time...
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Jan 22, 2012

Changing self and systems for a leaner and greener Japan

Year in, year out, it never ceases to amaze me what a difference a day makes.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jan 21, 2012

Aussie takes slippery slope to Hokkaido

Matt Dening, 44, grew up on sunshine in a small beach town south of Sydney. Like most Australian youths, Dening played "all the regular sports — swimming, cricket, rugby — but not really well."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 20, 2012

'Always San-Chome no Yuhi '64 (Always: Sunset on Third Street 3)'

The "Always" films, unabashedly sentimental, meticulously realized reminiscences on the Tokyo of the Showa 30s (1955-1965), are intended for the domestic audience only. But the first two received high audience poll numbers when they screened at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, which I help...
COMMENTARY
Jan 18, 2012

Loyalty alone is not enough

Japanese have been taught over the centuries that loyalty is the supreme virtue. Loyalty to Japan and to the emperor was inculcated into every child in prewar Japan. The emphasis now seems to be on loyalty to the company employing you, loyalty to your section in the company and loyalty to your immediate...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2012

Entrance exam system faces review

The education ministry on Monday ordered a review of how the nation's unified college entrance exams are managed after delays and slipups affected more than 4,500 test-takers over the weekend.
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 17, 2012

Platform doors

Dear Alice,
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jan 16, 2012

Whaling may be sunk by commercial reality

Activism aside, is there a market for whale meat large enough to sustain the industry?
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2012

Firms look to hire foreign students

Hundreds of foreign students from Japan's top universities turned up at a career forum Saturday in Tokyo, hoping to secure a job before their graduation in 2013.
EDITORIALS
Jan 14, 2012

Scrutinize Osaka mayor's moves

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, leader of the local party Osaka Ishin no Kai (association of Osaka reform), and Osaka Prefecture Gov. Ichiro Matsui have begun fleshing out the mayor's idea of establishing an Osaka metropolitan government modeled after the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jan 14, 2012

Globe-trekker devotes self to kids needing special attention

German Birgit Zorb-Serizawa has lived and worked on four continents in her career in special education, and she has spent many years providing opportunities and support for international families in Japan with special-needs children.
BUSINESS
Jan 14, 2012

MUFJ targeting acquisitions, retail to enter top three in Asian banking, deputy chief says

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., the nation's biggest bank, is shooting to become one of Asia's three biggest lenders by profit through acquisitions, funding infrastructure projects and expanding retail banking.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 12, 2012

U.S. overlooks the true tolls of its wars

As the United States officially ended the war in Iraq last month, President Barack Obama spoke eloquently at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, lauding troops for "your patriotism, your commitment to fulfill your mission, your abiding commitment to one another," and offering words of grief for the nearly 4,500...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 12, 2012

When it comes to technique, Ozone says, 'Go West'

In 1956, pianist and band leader Toshiko Akiyoshi made the brave decision to leave Japan and enter the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a young Asian woman embarking on a career in jazz, she was a novelty back then. She persevered and subsequently spent the majority of her career in the United...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 12, 2012

Reform while liquidity buys time: Shirakawa

Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa said there are limits to what monetary policy can achieve and governments must implement "necessary" reforms to aid the global economy.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / THE ZEIT GIST
Jan 10, 2012

Local Japanese school is the obvious choice if you want your child to fit in

The first day of elementary school, a milestone in a child's life, brings a mix of emotions for parents. The pride and joy of seeing their child taking his first steps into the world are tempered with feelings of anxiety in moms and dads everywhere.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 10, 2012

Rejoining school system in Japan after time away can be tough

Floyd hopes to move back to Japan but is worried about his 11-year-old son fitting into the Japanese school system and being accepted at a good high school:

Longform

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Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat