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Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 10, 2019

Japan estimates post-3/11 reconstruction costs at ¥1.5 trillion for fiscal 2021-25

The government announced an estimate Monday that it will spend around ¥1.5 trillion on reconstruction projects for areas devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in the five-year period starting from fiscal 2021.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 9, 2019

LDP plans tax breaks to help spread 5G networks

The Liberal Democratic Party's tax panel is planning to give preferential tax treatment to mobile phone carriers and others to help spread fifth-generation, or 5G, high-speed wireless communications services.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 9, 2019

Abe granted brief respite as scandal-hit extraordinary Diet session draws to a close

During the course of the session two ministers resigned, a plan for reforming college English-language tests was withdrawn and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was accused of breaching election campaign laws.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 9, 2019

Support smaller think tanks in Japan

Hundreds of smaller think tanks and personal offices — essentially small to medium-sized enterprises — around the country may hold the key for Japan's rebirth.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 9, 2019

Tohoku reactor restart: What is the state of Japan's nuclear policy?

In late November, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) gave the green light for restarting the No. 2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Co.'s Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture, which had been damaged in the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami. The announcement once again put the spotlight on the...
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Dec 8, 2019

Handful of players from 'Matsuzaka Generation' still holding on

Daisuke Matsuzaka returned home on Wednesday, solidifying a deal to spend his 20th season in pro baseball with the Saitama Seibu Lions, the club he spent Year 1 with back in 1999.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Dec 8, 2019

Nick Fazekas not ready to cede national team spot to naturalized Brex star Ryan Rossiter

A year ago, Japanese fans called Nick Fazekas a "savior" for completely changing the fortunes of Japan's men's basketball team during Asian qualifying for the FIBA World Cup. That success was something he took pride in being a big part of.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Dec 7, 2019

Cheaper deals in Japan sometimes come at a personal cost

Although the cost of living in Japan is expected to increase in 2020, wages are forecast to remain about the same. This means consumers are constantly on the lookout for better deals, while businesses are scrambling for ways to cut prices and still protect their bottom line.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 7, 2019

Marinos capture J. League title on final day of season

A month ago, Saturday's match between Yokohama F. Marinos and FC Tokyo was billed as potentially the most climactic finish ever to the J. League season, with the two sides neck-and-neck alongside the Kashima Antlers, a club that knows a thing or two about grinding out first-division championships in...
EDITORIALS
Dec 7, 2019

Fix the 'employment ice age' crisis

People in their mid-30s through mid-40s have gotten a raw deal from Japan, and it's high time for the goverment and employers do right by them.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Dec 7, 2019

Ahead of upcoming British election, Russia tied to leak of U.K.-U.S. trade documents online

The leak and distribution of classified U.K.-U.S. trade documents online is tied to a previous Russian disinformation campaign, the social media site Reddit said Friday, fueling fears that Moscow is seeking to interfere in Britain's upcoming election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2019

Japanese transport ministry to study shinkansen accessibility for wheelchair users

Transport minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said Friday a study group will be set up as early as this month to consider how to make bullet trains more accessible to wheelchair users.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 7, 2019

Japanese government may offer companies 25% tax break on investment in startups

The government and ruling coalition plan to allow companies to deduct 25 percent of the amount they invest in startups from their taxable income, informed sources said Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 6, 2019

SoftBank and University of Tokyo to open business-oriented AI research centers

SoftBank Corp. and the University of Tokyo have agreed to open artificial-intelligence centers staffed with specialists from the university and around the world, to swiftly turn research into profitable business ventures so Japan can keep up with the U.S. and China.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Dec 6, 2019

Stunning turnaround as Suu Kyi set to defend Myanmar against charge of Rohingya genocide

The last time Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi traveled to Western Europe, she was feted as the freshly elected civilian ruler of a fledgling democracy who had brought an end to half a century of military dictatorship.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / 2010s: Decade in Review
Dec 5, 2019

Trendy neighborhoods in Tokyo came and went during the 2010s, but did capitalist conformity move in for good?

The protester, the party animal, the professional millennial — it seems like the Japanese capital had a place for every foreign stereotype imaginable in the past decade. We look back on a few favorites.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 5, 2019

Japan considering tax breaks for firms that invest ¥10 million in startups

Government and ruling coalition officials are considering giving tax breaks to small and midsize companies that invest ¥10 million or more in startups, sources familiar with their discussions said Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 5, 2019

U.S. and Japan to discuss next trade talks in early 2020, USTR says

The United States and Japan will begin consultations early next year in order to enter negotiations on a broader trade agreement than the one signed in October, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in a statement on Wednesday.
Japan Times
Finland report 2019
Dec 5, 2019

Oulu: The capital of northern Scandinavia enjoys strong ties with Japan

Through the years, the Nordic city of Oulu and Japan have established a good relationship with each other based on shared values.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Dec 5, 2019

Daniel Craig's license as James Bond expires with 'No Time to Die'

In the latest James Bond movie, "No Time to Die," Daniel Craig dons the famed tuxedo of the iconic British secret agent 007 for his fifth and final time.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 4, 2019

What throws a monkey wrench in trade talks

What makes an area of trade negotiations crucial is not its economic size but its political importance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 4, 2019

MUFG Bank to launch smartphone payment service

MUFG Bank will set up a joint company with human resources services provider Recruit Holdings Co. to launch a smartphone-based cashless payment service, it was learned Wednesday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Dec 4, 2019

U.S. House report calls evidence of abuse by Trump 'overwhelming'

House Democrats have laid out their most comprehensive case yet for impeaching Donald Trump, declaring the president "a clear and present danger" over his rush to get foreign governments to investigate a political rival and making his intimidation of witnesses tantamount to a crime.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 4, 2019

Bach to basics with father and son maestros

Masaaki Suzuki and his son Masato are decidating their time to promoting the music of Johann Sebastian Bach through Bach Collegium Japan

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