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COMMENTARY / World
May 13, 2013

The changing map of Mideast political power

The eruption of the Arab revolts in 2010-2011 put power relations among Middle East countries in a state of flux. Both winners and losers have emerged.
COMMENTARY / World
May 13, 2013

New digital divide threatens economic growth

The struggle by several developing countries to upgrade digital connectivity means they are losing out on the social-economic rewards of IT infrastructure.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
May 13, 2013

It ain't easy being a bilingual girl

This bilingual thing ... they say that it's a both curse and a blessing. Watakushigotode kyōshukudesuga (私事で恐縮ですが, A thousand pardons for having the gall to talk about myself), but I think of it more like a stigma. It's not the same for millenials — they were born and raised in a kinder...
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 11, 2013

Kagoshima temple fails in bid to get loan to buy Chongryon's Tokyo HQ

The chief priest of the Buddhist temple that won the bid to acquire the Tokyo headquarters of the pro-Pyongyang group Chongryon said Friday he has failed to gather enough funds for the purchase, suggesting financial institutions were pressured not to extend loans to his temple.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society
May 11, 2013

Gay footballers keep sexuality secret over reaction fears

At least eight professional footballers have revealed to colleagues that they are gay, but have refused to go public because they fear a backlash from fans.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
May 11, 2013

Rise and study: Nagoya school helps workers to help locales

A new type of school for office workers, Nagoya Morning University, was established in mid-April in the city's business district.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 11, 2013

Genesis of a brawl: Decades of Sherpa resentment fuel confrontation on Mount Everest

It's an irresistible contrast. On the one hand, modern mountaineering superstars with their blogs and sponsorship deals, scrapping with outraged Sherpas on the slopes of Everest. On the other, one of the defining images of the 20th century, the photograph of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary standing...
WORLD
May 11, 2013

GOP boycott blocks EPA nominee

For the second time in as many days, Republicans in the Senate blocked committee action to confirm a nominee to President Barack Obama's Cabinet, this time by boycotting a Thursday vote on his pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 10, 2013

Kawaguchi axed from Upper House panel

Former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi is ousted as chairwoman of the Upper House Environment Committee as the opposition warms up for the election.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 9, 2013

Replaying people's actions with a twist

Much of Belgian artist Francis Alu00ffs' work and life have been determined by chance.
Japan Times
WORLD / EU SPECIAL 2013
May 9, 2013

Japan, EU look to trade pact as way to lift up economies

Japan and the European Union have taken an important step toward deepening their relationship by starting formal negotiations on a free trade agreement in April, seeking to boost their faltering economies by creating one of the world's largest free-trade accords that will account for about 30 percent...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
May 9, 2013

Opposition guns for LDP committee chair

Opposition parties prepared Wednesday to pass a resolution ousting a senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker as head of an Upper House committee, setting the stage for a showdown with the ruling bloc before the Upper House election in July.
Japan Times
WORLD / EU SPECIAL 2013
May 9, 2013

Free trade accord would be worthy of celebration

On March 25 this year, Japan and the European Union announced the launch of negotiations toward an EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement. Business organizations on both sides, not least the European Business Council in Japan (EBC), raised a cheer, relieved that at last work could begin on unlocking the true...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
May 7, 2013

Anticipation: How high will mortgage interest go?

After 20 years housing loan interest rates are ready to rise.
COMMENTARY / World
May 6, 2013

Beware China's civilian-military relationship

Do China's rulers have full civilian control of their country's military? The U.S. and Japan should ask that question as Beijing hardens its stance on its maritime claims.
JAPAN / Media / DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN
May 5, 2013

Yakuza links put nation at added nuclear risk

On April 15, two alleged terrorists in Boston killed three people, injured more than 170 others and terrified a nation — for about $100 it cost them to modify pressure cookers into bombs. We should be glad they didn't come to Japan, where they may have been able to explode a ready-made nuclear dirty...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 5, 2013

Second-person narration brings home realities of poverty

Mohsin Hamid's new novel comes with a ringing endorsement on its back cover from Jay McInerney, a writer one doesn't readily associate with subcontinental fictions about escaping poverty. But McInerney can speak with authority on second-person narration, having written "Bright Lights, Big City," one...
JAPAN
May 2, 2013

60,000 sign petition in one week for fired Prada employee

As many as 60,000 people signed a petition in just a week to urge the Japanese arm of Italian fashion house Prada to withdraw its countersuit against a former employee who sued the company for firing her based on appearance.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 2, 2013

Heritage status will mean big changes

Local and prefectural governments and businesses surrounding Mount Fuji welcomed the news that the World Heritage Committee is expected to designate Japan's most famous and popular mountain as a World Heritage site, despite concerns about what it will mean to the local environment and questions about...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 2, 2013

Back to school for two Tokyo DJs

Whether it's an annual soapbox derby or sending a man to the edge of space just because they can, energy-drink manufacturers Red Bull have never been afraid to throw their cash at projects that range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Red Bull Music Academy (RBMA) — the brand's foray into the world...
EDITORIALS
May 1, 2013

Toward a Japan-Russia peace treaty

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin agree to restart talks toward a peace treaty, which could lead to resolution of a territorial dispute.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 28, 2013

Pressure grows for the nation's housewives

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's April 19 National Press Club speech about boosting women's participation in the workforce has been covered extensively in the domestic and foreign media since it signals a sea change in the Liberal Democratic Party's view of women's role in society. He said the government...

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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