Search - 2012

 
 
“Butter” author Asako Yuzuki was inspired by the real-life story of Kanae Kijima, who was nicknamed the “Black Widow” and the “Konkatsu Killer” by the media for killing three men she dated to maintain her luxurious lifestyle of gourmet meals and a high-end cooking school.
CULTURE / Books
Apr 12, 2024

Asako Yuzuki's 'Butter' is a heady serving of food culture and feminism

The author's foodie femme fatale character was inspired by a real-life "black widow" case that caught the public's attention in 2009.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a home run in the first inning against the Padres to equal Hideki Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player in MLB.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 13, 2024

Ohtani matches Hideki Matsui's homer mark and collects 1,000th professional hit

Ohtani moved into a tie with Matsui for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player in MLB with his 175th long ball.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an unpopular leader at home, whom many hold responsible for failures that led to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 15, 2024

Iran attack tests Netanyahu’s political staying power

For almost three decades, Netanyahu has warned that a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft on Monday.
BASKETBALL
Apr 15, 2024

Caitlin Clark leads way as top star in intriguing WNBA Draft

The Indiana Fever will — barring an unfathomable change of direction — select Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Black bears have been added to the list of "designated wildlife species for control" by the Environment Ministry.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2024

Japan adds black and brown bears to subsidized hunting list

The government is stepping up the control measures as bear attacks on humans hit a record high in fiscal 2023 that ended in March.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a joint session of Congress in Washington on Thursday. Kishida’s recent summit with U.S. President Joe Biden is being lauded as a success.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 16, 2024

Give credit where credit’s due after prime minister's outstanding U.S. summit

The Japan-U.S. summit has been rightly called historic and a big deal for Tokyo and the alliance — if its long list of deliverables is realized.
A direct military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities by the U.S. and its allies would likely only delay its program while risking regional war and increasing the likelihood of Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons in the long run.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 16, 2024

Iran hawks want to strike now. They're wrong.

One thing Iran hawks get right, starting with the contention that by attacking Israel directly on Saturday night, Iran changed rules of engagement.
In the new Disney+ series “House of the Owl,” Min Tanaka (left) plays a powerful political fixer, or “kuromaku,” who has a troubled relationship with his adult children, particularly his idealistic son, played by Mackenyu.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Apr 18, 2024

'House of the Owl' brings Hollywood values to Japanese TV

Min Tanaka plays a powerful political fixer in the 10-episode show, which centers on the behind-the-scenes machinations of "kuromaku."
Warriors guard Stephen Curry dribbes around a defender during a game against the Pelicans earlier this month.
BASKETBALL
Apr 18, 2024

LeBron, Curry and Durant head U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team'

USA Basketball confirmed a formidable 12-man roster bristling with NBA talent that also includes reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
The Palestinian push for full U.N. membership comes six months into a war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 18, 2024

U.N. Security Council to vote Friday on Palestinian U.N. membership

The United States — an Israel ally — is expected to block the membership request as it would effectively recognize a Palestinian state.
Machida supporters wave giant flags during the team's game against Vissel Kobe at National Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday.
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 18, 2024

Upstart Zelvia shows that, in the J. League, it’s anyone’s game

The fast start by Go Kuroda’s men has highlighted the remarkable parity in the Japanese game when compared with top competitions in Europe.
A group of plaintiffs in a lawsuit demanding that they be recognized as Minamata disease patients hold a news conference in Niigata on Thursday following a ruling by the Niigata District Court.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Apr 19, 2024

Japanese court orders damages over Niigata Minamata disease

Similar lawsuits have been filed at four district courts across the country.
Sauber's Zhou Guanyu poses for pictures with fans after the world premiere of a documentary about his life in Shanghai on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 19, 2024

Local hero Zhou Guanyu expects to feel 'mix of emotions' at Chinese GP

Formula One is returning to China for the first time in five years after previous editions were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sebastian Coe delivers a speech during the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Aug. 27, 2023.
OLYMPICS
Apr 19, 2024

Sebastian Coe divides Olympic movement with move to offer prize money

Coe's compatriots have been critical of World Athletics' decision to offer prize money at the Olympics.
A typical show for the Derek Toro persona features Ice Elloso as a suave, macho hero straight from a Schwarzenegger film, along with a trademark goatee and tons of props and gadgets.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Apr 20, 2024

‘Drag is my superpower’: A night of pride for Filipino kings and queens

Sparkle: Road to Opulence, an April 19 lip-sync and drag performance, kicked off Pride weekend in Tokyo with a bang.
Rainbow flags were flown through the capital's busy Shibuya and Harajuku areas for Tokyo Rainbow Pride events this weekend as organizers hailed 30 years of one of Asia's largest LGBTQ celebrations.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 21, 2024

Tokyo Rainbow Pride lights up capital as organizers celebrate 30 years

Under the theme “Until it changes, don’t give up,” this year’s Tokyo Rainbow Pride was held after an eventful 12 months for Japan’s LGBTQ movement.
The start of the 2023 edition of the Mount Fuji 100
MORE SPORTS
Apr 23, 2024

Iconic Mount Fuji 100 enters new era with World Trail Majors

The race — perhaps now more than ever — is a bucket list event for countless runners around the world.
IOC President Thomas Bach speaks during an interview in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.
OLYMPICS
Apr 28, 2024

Interest in hosting Olympics 'never so high,' says IOC boss

After a string of Games in wealthy democracies, 2036 could be an opportunity for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia or India.
The city government of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, has conducted its third marine survey around the Senkaku Islands.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 28, 2024

Okinawa's Ishigaki uses drone for first time during marine survey around Senkakus

During the survey, China Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese waters around the islands and attempted to interfere with the city's ship.
Caitlin Clark speaks during a news conference after being drafted by the Fever with the top pick in the WNBA draft in New York on April 15.
BASKETBALL
Apr 29, 2024

Caitlin Clark pleased after first WNBA practice with Fever

Fever guard Caitlin Clark said she was pleased after her first WNBA training camp practice on Sunday.
Former two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker announced her retirement on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Apr 29, 2024

Women's basketball great Candace Parker retires

The 38-year-old power forward, who posted her decision on Instagram, was a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player.
The Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Bagacay being hit by water cannon from China Coast Guard vessels near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough shoal in the disputed South China Sea in this screen shot from video taken and released Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 30, 2024

Philippines says China Coast Guard fired water cannon at its vessels

The incident was the latest to occur between the two countries at the disputed atoll in the South China Sea.
Japanese fashion designer Yumi Katsura (center) greets guests during the finale of the 2015 Yumi Katsura Grand Collection in Tokyo. Katsura has died at the age of 94.
LIFE / Style & Design
Apr 30, 2024

Yumi Katsura, a pioneer of Japan’s bridal fashion, dies at 94

Katsura developed a unique style combining Japan’s traditional techniques with French motifs throughout a career spanning over half a century.
For a little more than a decade, scientists have been studying a subset of people they call "super-agers.” These individuals are age 80 and older, but they have the memory ability of a person 20 to 30 years younger.
WORLD / Science & Health
Apr 30, 2024

A peek inside the brains of ‘super-agers’

New research explores why some octogenarians have exceptional memories.
Angels slugger Mike Trout rounds the bases after hitting a home run in a game on April 23.
BASEBALL / MLB
May 1, 2024

Angels star Trout to have left knee surgery

The 32-year-old slugger, an 11-time American League All-Star and three-time AL MVP, has struggled with injuries in recent years.
U.S. President Joe Biden makes an appearance at an infrastructure construction project in Woodstock, New Hampshire, in November 2021.  Bridges and sewage systems may seem unglamorous, but common assets such as these will form the basis of economic growth for years to come.
COMMENTARY / World
May 1, 2024

The West’s new infrastructure imperative

A dim future awaits any society that allows its infrastructure to degrade and underinvests in new needs.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda holds a news conference after a policy meeting at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on March 19.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 2, 2024

BOJ saw need to let markets drive yields upon March exit: minutes

The bank ended eight years of negative interest rates and its bond yield control at its March policy meeting.
The ruling Georgian Dream Party, whose leader is pro-Russian, holds a rally in support of the government in Tbilisi on Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
May 2, 2024

What if Russia wins in Ukraine? Ask Georgia.

A billionaire leader in Tblisi echoes Moscow as he rails against “global party of war.”
Birdhead members Ji Weiyu (left) and Song Tao, who are exhibiting “The Matrix” facing the “chikuin no ma” garden at Kondaya Genbei as part of Kyotographie 2024.
CULTURE / Art
May 3, 2024

Shanghai duo Birdhead flips photography

Artists Ji Weiyu and Song Tao play with randomness and control in their Kyotographie exhibition, "Welcome to Birdhead World Again, Kyoto 2024."
Enamored with Japanese cuisine, Xander Soren sought to create the perfect Pinot Noir to suit the country's most common flavors.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Kanpai Culture
May 7, 2024

A Californian Pinot Noir bred for the Japanese table

In November, a former Apple employee launched Xander Soren Wines and its Pinot vintages exclusively in Japan.

Longform

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake