Search - 2015

 
 
EDITORIALS
Oct 27, 2015

Hold an extraordinary Diet session

The Abe administration has no compelling reason to reject the call by opposition parties to convene an extraordinary Diet session.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 27, 2015

Fix America's broken criminal justice system

If the Republican Party wants to win a bigger share of the African-American vote, it should hone an agenda for reform of the troubled U.S. criminal justice system.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 27, 2015

South Korea to raise defense spending to deter threat from North

South Korea plans to raise defense spending by 4 percent next year, more than the average for the entire budget, as President Park Geun-hye sees stepped up military readiness as a way to pressure North Korea to seek dialogue.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 26, 2015

This is Halloween, Japan-style

Stumped for a costume idea this year? This selection of outfits from pre-Halloween parades on Sunday, curated from social media and Japan Times's staff, might give you a few ideas for the big event this weekend.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 26, 2015

Why the Hanshin Tigers play in a stadium named after rats

Exploring the weird and wonderful animal kingdom and the roots of critters' kanji.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 26, 2015

Japan, South Korea grow more 'cyber mature' as they build online defenses: study

A series of online attacks over the past year have spurred Japan and South Korea to bolster their cyberdefenses, improving their ranking on an annual list of countries' "cyber maturity," in which Australia notably dropped.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 26, 2015

Are Americans No. 1? It depends

Americans have long been fascinated with global rankings and where they stand in them, but sometimes the results aren't all that impressive.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 26, 2015

For America, the key to China is right at home

Rather than confront China directly, the U.S. should focus on domestic reforms that strengthen its own competitive advantages, which would thereby force Beijing to follow suit.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 26, 2015

Carp hurler Maeda wins Sawamura Award for second time

Four famed former pitchers went to a Tokyo hotel for the purpose of sitting down together and identifying the best pitcher in Japan in 2015.
WORLD
Oct 26, 2015

Cost to replace, maintain U.K. nuclear deterrent raises eyebrows amid austerity push

The overall cost of replacing and maintaining Britain's nuclear deterrent will reach £167 billion ($256 billion), much more than expected, according to a lawmaker's and Reuters' calculations based on official figures.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 25, 2015

Freak show on parade at the Kawasaki Halloween Parade

People decked out in a variety of costumes participate in a parade in Kawasaki on Sunday during Kawasaki Halloween 2015. The annual event, now in its 19th year, brought together some 2,500 people and stretched for about 1.5 km. | SATOKO KAWASAKISuper Zombie — hopefully not faster than a speeding...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 25, 2015

Just how dangerous is China-Britain nuclear agreement?

China does not share Western values about domestic social order, or about cyber espionage, but it does share our values about the need to avoid war.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 24, 2015

Hawks' Igarashi relishes chance to face former team in Japanese Fall Classic

Before Ryota Igarashi was a star reliever for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, and even prior to his time in the major leagues, he was very good arm out of the bullpen for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
MORE SPORTS
Oct 23, 2015

Root defiant after Pakistan makes early inroads

Joe Root's unbeaten half-century helped stuttering England reach 182 for three at the close on the second day of the second test on Friday after Pakistan's seam and spin attack ran through the tourists' top order.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 23, 2015

October 24, 2015

Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 23, 2015

Led by first-year managers, Hawks, Swallows chasing Japan Series title

The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Tokyo Yakult Swallows have already proven themselves to be the top teams in the Pacific and Central Leagues.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 23, 2015

Roth Bart Baron gets theatrical on latest album, 'Atom'

Listening to Roth Bart Baron, it's not hard to hear the influence of Montreal-style indie rock on the band. But the duo believes if you dig deeper on its second album, "Atom," you can also hear a sci-fi ode to Tokyo.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 23, 2015

Screw meritocracy: reward the lazy and stupid

It is time to admit the truth: meritocracy is BS.
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2015

Top life insurers face second-half obstacles to returns on investment

Japan's biggest life insurers face hurdles wherever they seek returns in the fiscal second half, as Bank of Japan debt buying depresses local yields, the yen shows signs of strength and currency hedging costs soar.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 23, 2015

BOJ to snip GDP, inflation forecasts for 2015, 2016

The Bank of Japan will cut its growth and inflation outlook for this fiscal year at a rate review next week, but only slightly tweak its projections for next year, sources said, possibly tempering expectations that the central bank will soon ease monetary policy further.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 23, 2015

Nigerian answer to Spotify lures investors from MTN to Jay-Z

The mansion, the pool, the Bentley, the life-size portrait and the gold medallions are the spoils of a revolution in Nigeria and music superstar D'banj is enjoying them.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 22, 2015

Burger takes All Blacks showdown in stride after battle with life-threatening illness

On Saturday afternoon millions of television viewers, 80,000 Twickenham fans and 45 players will have a flutter of nerves as South Africa and New Zealand prepare for their World Cup semifinal — but not Springboks flanker Schalk Burger.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2015

'Superhuman' sports showcased at Tokyo expo

Ever wanted to play at being superhuman? Games-players can now feel what it is like to have superpowers of a sort — and tights are optional.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Oct 22, 2015

Vets help get Sendai off to quick start

The Sendai 89ers have relied on the stellar contributions of several players en route to six straight wins to open the new season.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 22, 2015

Spotlight on Harada films is well-deserved

Following last year's embrace of anime and "content," 2015 sees the Tokyo International Film Festival reassert its credentials as an event, first and foremost, for cineastes. One particularly welcome addition is the new Japan Now section, a roundup of recent and upcoming movies from the likes of Hirokazu...

Longform

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