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JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 12, 2014

In Fukui, economy, reactors inseparable in election debate

For most of Japan, the issues of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policies and nuclear reactor restarts are generally separate debates. But not in LDP-leaning Fukui.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: FASHION
Dec 12, 2014

Fashion goes festive for the holiday season

Erimaki Sox collars the market
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 12, 2014

Ishikawa aims to become first openly gay member of Lower House

Openly gay politician Taiga Ishikawa says that winning a Diet seat in Sunday's election would empower him to change politics and help Japanese society recognize its diversity.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 12, 2014

Why are Americans such cowards?

From the outside, the U.S. looks like a nation happy to inflict all manner of mayhem on people all over the world via aerial killer robot warfare, yet unwilling to put its own precious skins in the game.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 12, 2014

The humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons

This week a meeting in Vienna reminded the world that as long as nuclear weapons exist, it is irresponsible not to confront the implications of their use. They are not some deadly virus or long-term environmental threat; they are the poisonous fruit of a technology that we created.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 12, 2014

A rude awakening for America

The American pivot to Asia was the product of people in Washington who only think in terms of military power — as in trying to annex Ukraine and Georgia to NATO and the EU. There are new ways of thinking in China and even Russia.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 12, 2014

Abe's base aims to restore past religious, patriotic values

As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promises voters a bright future for Japan's economy, key parts of his conservative base want him to steer the nation back toward a traditional ethos mixing Shinto myth, patriotism and pride in the ancient Imperial line.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 11, 2014

On the campaign trail, ex-minister Obuchi says sorry for scandal

An apologetic Yuko Obuchi reels in her stumping for the Lower House election after being stung by a fundraising scandal that abruptly ended her stint as trade minister.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2014

Ecology product confab at Big Sight kicks off with higher youth turnout

In the face of pressing environmental challenges, the nation's biggest event on eco-friendly products kicked off Thursday in Tokyo, giving everyone from elementary school kids to businesspeople an opportunity to think about what's good for future generations.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 11, 2014

Welfare cuts? Abe won't say it

Hiroko Shinohara frets about one issue Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has noticeably avoided on the campaign trail ahead of Sunday's election: the need to cut the nation's generous social welfare program that supports millions of people.
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2014

Airbus hints it may ditch A380 after finding no takers for superjumbo this year

Airbus Group NV raised the prospect of discontinuing its A380 superjumbo as soon as 2018, the first admission that it may have misjudged the market for the double-decker after failing to find a single airline buyer this year.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Dec 10, 2014

Gamba back on top after riding formidable wave of form

The notion of Gamba Osaka winning the 2014 J. League title was laughable when the club went into the World Cup break in the relegation zone, but after lifting the trophy on Saturday it is difficult to deny they deserved it.
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 10, 2014

Ishin no To's campaign haunted by voter discontent in Kinki, Tokyo-Kanagawa

With several polls indicating that the ruling coalition may win over 300 of the 480 seats in Sunday's Lower House race, the Liberal Democratic Party is poised to be the big winner — and Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party) the main loser.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2014
Dec 10, 2014

DPJ faces uphill battle for swing voters

While the ruling coalition commands a higher number of core supporters, opposition parties are vying for swing voters in an election that is expected to see a low turnout.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Dec 10, 2014

Electoral dysfunction leaves Japan's voters feeling impotent

This Sunday's poll could well prove a high-water mark of pointlessness even for Japan: an election campaign waged against the unelected.
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 10, 2014

Under new management: Festival/Tokyo focuses on diversity in a quest for 'border play'

Under its new 65-year-old director, Sachio Ichimura, who replaced respected 39-year-old Chiaki Soma in a shock move in March, Festival/Tokyo 2014 adopted "border play" as its catchphrase.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / DECISION 2014
Dec 10, 2014

Japan's persisting gender gap leaves many single moms in poverty

Yuka Suzuki, 47, has virtually no savings, earns about half the average national wage and cannot see where the money will come from to retire one day.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 9, 2014

Aging brings gray hair ... and greater happiness

In our mind's eye, old age is to be endured as much as enjoyed, since people fear declining health, growing dependence and increasing social isolation. Then why do public opinion surveys show that, on average, people count themselves happier after age 65?
JAPAN / Society / DECISION 2014
Dec 9, 2014

Most political parties falling short on child poverty pledges, NPO says

Only two political parties this election are pledging to take full action on child poverty, according to a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization.
WORLD / Science & Health
Dec 9, 2014

Abandoned U.S. oil wells still belching methane, study finds

Some of the millions of abandoned oil and natural gas wells in the United States are still spewing methane, and are a potentially large source of unrecorded greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study.

Longform

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