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Japan Times
LIFE
Dec 11, 2011

The Scot who shaped Japan

This coming Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, marks the centenary of the death in his opulent home in the Shiba Park area of Tokyo's central Azabu district of the Scottish-born trader Thomas Blake Glover, who became the first foreigner ever decorated by the Japanese government when he was awarded the Order of the...
BUSINESS
Dec 10, 2011

Citi posts big loss to fund lender

Citigroup Inc. said its Japan unit will incur a one-time loss of ¥139.9 billion for the six months that ended Sept. 30 as it increased funds set aside as reserves for its consumer finance unit.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Dec 8, 2011

Celebrating New Year's in the traditional way

As people in Japan prepare to celebrate New Year's Day, among the most notable tasks of the season are housecleaning, which echos the timeworn ritual of susuharai ("cleaning soot from the timbers under the roof") and placing shimenawa (sacred straw rope traditionally hung at the entrance to Shinto shrines)...
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Dec 8, 2011

Reysol ready to take on world after shock title

It would have taken a brave person to tip Kashiwa Reysol for the 2011 J. League title before the season had begun. But as the newly crowned champions prepare to take on Auckland City in the Club World Cup on Thursday, it would take an even braver person to deny they deserved it.
Reader Mail
Dec 4, 2011

Bigger offense to apologize for

As for the Dec. 2 article "Noda apologizes for axed official's Okinawa gaffe": Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa visited Okinawa Friday to personally apologize to Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima for an extremely inappropriate remark made by Okinawa Defense Bureau chief Satoshi Tanaka, who was fired.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 4, 2011

U.S. base plan reveals obsequious Australia's frail sense of nationhood

"The unbreakable alliance." That is how U.S. President Barack Obama characterized the tie between his country and Australia in a speech to the Australian Parliament on Nov. 17, 2011.
COMMENTARY
Dec 2, 2011

Russian Asia mega-project

Unprejudiced analysis brings us to the conclusion that Russia does not have many choices concerning its immediate economic future. Let us hope that Soviet-style "autarky" is out of the question.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 2, 2011

Tintin gets a little closer to Japan in 3-D movie

"Everyone knows Tintin!" says a street hawker in the film "The Adventures of Tintin" — but 30 years ago director Steven Spielberg had no idea who or what he was.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / Japan Pulse
Dec 1, 2011

Power saving puts Christmas illuminations in a new light

While the winter setsuden will soon be in full effect, the Christmas illumination show must go on.
Reader Mail
Dec 1, 2011

Tourist tickets go the wrong way

Regarding the Oct. 12 article: "Tourism blitz: 10,000 to get free flights to Japan": I can think of three reasons why we shouldn't be using the national budget to pay for these tickets:
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2011

Fukushima crisis fueling the third opening of Japan

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's announcement that Japan would join talks on a Pacific free trade agreement (FTA) triggered a nationwide debate over whether to open Japan's market.
EDITORIALS
Nov 30, 2011

Creating special economic zones

The government's effort to select areas to be designated as "comprehensive special zones" (sogo tokku) is now in full swing. A law to create such zones was enacted in June as part of the government's economic growth policy. The Diet is now deliberating on another bill to create "reconstruction special...
EDITORIALS
Nov 30, 2011

Controversial plan to ship debris

Not much progress has been made in transporting debris in Miyagi and Iwate prefectures created by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami to other prefectures for disposal because local governments and residents outside the disaster-hit areas fear the debris could be contaminated with radioactive substances...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 29, 2011

Euro crisis significantly worse: top French banker

Bank of France Gov. Christian Noyer said the European crisis has worsened "significantly," as deepening investor concern over the region worsens market volatility.
EDITORIALS
Nov 27, 2011

Warm Biz warming up

With the relatively successful Super Cool Biz campaign over for the autumn, the next drive for saving energy is already under way. Warm Biz is the latest campaign to save energy after the March disasters in Tohoku left dozens of nuclear reactors offline and potential electricity shortfalls looming. Government...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 25, 2011

Friendly Fires to indulge pop pleasures on tour

Friendly Fires are happy to finally be back on home turf. It's no wonder, the year has been predominantly spent living out the tale of their song "Hawaiian Air," the highlight of second album "Pala" that typifies the trio's dance-pop vision while bemoaning the monotony of tour travel. Consequently, drummer...
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 24, 2011

Mounting anger is no surprise

The Occupy Wall Street movement in New York and the tented encampment by St. Paul's Cathedral in the City of London are symptoms of the frustration and anger felt by many disadvantaged people against those whom they see as living a life of luxury while many are out of work and finding it difficult to...
BASKETBALL
Nov 21, 2011

Broncos whip Grouses; Murray's status unclear

With head coach Dean Murray serving a suspension for "a violation of team rules," according to a team source, acting head coach Natalie Nakase led the Saitama Broncos to a 93-74 win over the Toyama Grouses on Sunday.
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Nov 20, 2011

French researchers seek raison d'etre of hikikomori

Is the hikikomori phenomenon unique to Japan — or does it exist in other societies, too?
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2011

Obama warns Senate on Guam funding cuts

The Obama administration warned Thursday that a Senate bill proposing funding cuts next year for infrastructure projects on Guam could harm U.S.-Japan relations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2011

Cookouts along Tama drawing flak

For the people of Tokyo, the wide banks of the Tama River are among the most popular places to have a barbecue.

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