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JAPAN
Aug 31, 1999

Canadian software puts face on crime

Staff writer
JAPAN
Aug 12, 1999

Wiretapping, numbering bills clear Diet in all-night session

In a marathon, 28-hour plenary session, the Upper House on Thursday approved two controversial bills -- one to authorize wiretapping in organized crime investigations and another to have each citizen numbered for administrative purposes.
CULTURE / Music / PLAY BUTTON
Jun 11, 1999

When did originality go out of focus?

Hiromix, the person credited with the current popularity of "girl" photographers, has thus far lived a charmed life: After stints as a "serious" artist, a band leader and, most recently, a mayonnaise spokeswoman, she has restyled herself as a singer-songwriter with the release of her new record "Hiromix...
LIFE / Food & Drink / KISSA KULTUR
May 27, 1999

Old and new blended perfectly at Otani

A pebble's throw away from the Akasaka Mitsuke subway station, the Hotel New Otani (which happens to be in the midst of celebrating 35 years as one of Tokyo's premier hotels) might just offer the solution to savvy travelers' "been there, done that" blues.
CULTURE / Music / MUSIC NOMAD
May 11, 1999

Got those Irish, Delta, Okinawan blues

CELTIC CHARM -- The Chieftains and fiddler Eileen Ivers will perform together and separately in Tokyo this month.
CULTURE / Books
May 4, 1999

A dose of reality for Asia's high-flyers

TIGERS TAMED: The End of the Asian Miracle, by Robert Garran. Allen Unwin, 1998, 228 pp. (paper). "Tigers Tamed," "The Trouble with Tigers," "Asian Contagion." It's hard to miss a touch of what seems like gloating in the attempts to chronicle Asia's recent misfortunes.
CULTURE / Art
Apr 3, 1999

New faces fail to make an impression

It is more than a little strange to be greeted at the entranceway to an art exhibition by a sign which warns that the work on the walls inside might be better appreciated if visitors lowered their expectations. But the text posted outside the NTT Intercommunication Center's current "New Media New Face...
JAPAN
Sep 21, 1998

Honda unveils compact utility vehicle

In a bid to capture younger customers, Honda Motor Co. on Monday introduced the HR-V, a new compact multipurpose utility vehicle, which hits the market today.
JAPAN
Jul 6, 1998

Museum reveals history of Tochigi

UTSUNOMIYA, Tochigi Pref. -- Tochigi Prefectural Museum, which opened in 1982, features exhibitions on the history, culture and natural features of the prefecture.
Japan Times
Jun 21, 2023

Kotozna has released ConcierGPT, an interactive communication service for the hospitality and service industry implementing GPT-4

Kotozna (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Genri Goto, https://kotozna.com/en) is pleased to announce the launch of Kotozna ConcierGPT on June 14, 2023, a multilingual AI concierge available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. By combining the evolution of LLM (Large Language Model) and Kotozna's technology,...
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jun 17, 2023

Japan’s young creators go to the mat for the tatami industry

This month, On: Design looks at a few innovations designed to recycle tatami waste and help revitalize the waning industry.
Japan Times
Jun 13, 2023

j-Grab Mall is a cross-border EC marketplace where you can experience the best of Japanese products!

Hello, world! We are j-Grab Mall! We are a global marketplace dedicated to bringing you the best Japanese products to customers all over the world.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Digital
Jun 9, 2023

Wi-Fi-enabled Tamagotchi headlines Tokyo Toy Show

The event features some 35,000 toy items from about 150 Japanese and foreign companies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 1, 2023

Antisemitism and intersectionality

The European Jewish Association’s conceptual framework on antisemitism could all too easily reproduce the very bigotry it seeks to oppose.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 31, 2023

Summer Basho offered excitement and a streamlined experience for sumo fans

The sport has emerged from three years of pandemic-era restrictions into a rapidly changing landscape that requires better delivery of content and a more attractive in-arena experience.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
May 29, 2023

A year on, restricted licenses for elderly drivers rarely used in Fukushima

The license was introduced to encourage older drivers to switch to so-called safety support cars fitted with cutting-edge technologies.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / Longform
May 22, 2023

Luxury hotels are on the rise as Japan woos the wealthy

From plush city hotels to beach resorts, establishments costing over ¥100,000 a night are becoming a common sight.
Japan Times
Special Supplements / Hiroshima G7 Summit Special
May 19, 2023

Temple stays offer peace and opportunities for reflection

Busy, sprawling and noisy cities are often the first things that greet visitors upon arrival in Japan. Landing in Osaka, a new arrival might wade through the throngs of people in Dotonbori, mesmerized by the acres of neon lights. Eager to try the local food, the battered octopus balls called takoyaki...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 3, 2023

China’s DriveGPT is here. Time to play catch-up.

Beijing’s regulations have put its autonomous-vehicle industry way ahead of competitors. Entry-level offerings won’t cut it any more.
Japan Times
LIFE
Apr 25, 2023

Gaudy cartoon cars turn heads in Japan

Perceptions of 'itasha,' cars covered in gaudy images of anime and manga characters, have begun to change, with hobby subcultures gaining a new mainstream acceptance in Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 25, 2023

Apple app store policies upheld by court in antitrust challenge brought by Epic Games

Apple won an appeals court ruling upholding its App Store’s policies in an antitrust challenge brought by Epic Games.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 20, 2023

‘Osaka Vintage Diary’: Secondhand concept offers comfortable charm

Director Takeshi Taniyama builds on the universe of his web series 'Tokyo Vintage Diary' by making a film focused on comedian Tetsuya Morita.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2023

With eye on growth and sustainability targets, Uniqlo rethinks retail spaces

Uniqlo plans on cutting 90% of greenhouse gas emissions from its stores and offices by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Apr 8, 2023

A long and winding visit to 'secret' Ubayu Onsen

Secluded and remote hot springs are yet another example of Japan's deep bathing culture.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 2, 2023

Lucky Pierrot’s anti-McDonald's approach makes it a Hakodate treasure

With an eclectic menu, eccentric decor and 35 years under its belt, Lucky Pierrot is a fixture of southern Hokkaido comfort food.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 13, 2023

'Everything Everywhere' dominates at Oscars, capping award-season sweep

The unconventional sci-fi drama won seven Academy Awards, including best picture, while Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Asian best actress winner.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 8, 2023

Shohei Ohtani ready to lead powerful Japan at World Baseball Classic

After more than a decade of frustration, Japan is back and stronger than ever, with the Angels star — who may one day surpass Ichiro Suzuki in the Japanese baseball pantheon — at the helm.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 2, 2023

Tech rivals chase ChatGPT as AI race ramps up

Google has said that AI-powered features will soon be rolled out in its world dominating search engine, though it has remained vague on exactly how and when.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 16, 2023

One of the world’s cleanest new skyscrapers collides with the future

One Vanderbilt in New York is built to be especially climate friendly. But the design landscape is changing so quickly that some features are now yesterday's news.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 7, 2023

Google to release ChatGPT rival named Bard

Google's announcement came on the eve of an AI-related launch event by Microsoft in yet a further sign that the two tech giants will do battle over the technology.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?