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Japan Times
JAPAN / History
Feb 26, 2019

Writers recall their initiation to Japanese literature via Donald Keene

The Japan Times asked author Suzanne Kamata to reach out to some of her fellow writers for their memories and thoughts about Donald Keene, the noted scholar of Japanese literature who died Sunday in Tokyo at age 96. Here is a short collection of their replies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 24, 2019

Donald Keene, lauded scholar of Japanese literature, dies at 96

Prominent U.S.-born Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene, who introduced a roster of talented writers from Japan to the world, died of cardiac arrest in Tokyo on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 24, 2019

China aims to 'optimize' spread of controversial Confucius Institutes

China plans to "optimize" the spread of its controversial Confucius Institutes, the government said, institutions to promote Chinese language and culture that have been criticized by some for spreading Communist Party influence.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Entertainment news
Feb 14, 2019

Netflix row overshadows Berlin premiere of film about Spanish lesbians 'Elisa & Marcela'

A row over whether films produced for streaming platform Netflix should be shown at the Berlin Film Festival has overshadowed the premiere of "Elisa & Marcela," Isabel Coixet's tale of two Spanish lesbians.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Beyond Tokyo
Jan 27, 2019

Japan's aging hunters look for fresh blood to solve boar woes

When the world rang in 2019, it also prepared to usher in the Year of the Boar. But in Sasayama, a picturesque, historical city of about 42,000 nestled in rural Hyogo Prefecture about an hour by train from Osaka Station, the wild boar is a symbol of pride, part of a famous local dish and a bane to farmers....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 12, 2018

In 2018, art came via many anniversaries in Japan

This year saw a lot of anniversaries in Japan. It was 1868 when Crown Prince Mutsuhito became the Emperor Meiji, the official policy of national isolation ended and the country was set on a course to become a modern industrialized nation-state. This birthday seems like it could have been a great time...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 18, 2018

A pair of events centered on non-Japanese artists are helping to build bridges into Japan's manga market

The Japanese market for manga is worth hundreds of billions of yen and is a crowded field for many young Japanese illustrators to break into. And if you're coming from overseas, there are even more obstacles.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Nov 4, 2018

Spearheading the next generation of entrepreneurs

Twenty-nine-year-old venture capitalist James Riney has some ideas on who may be the nation's next Mercari Inc.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / COMMUNITY CHEST
Nov 4, 2018

An empty space on a Japanese train, a full mailbox of diverse views on the 'gaijin seat'

Baye McNeil's recent Black Eye column on the 'gaijin seat' garnered a great deal of attention. Here are some readers' responses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Internationalization of Japanese Universities
Oct 22, 2018

Foreign graduates bring huge benefits to workforce

As Japan becomes increasingly globalized, so does its workforce.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 21, 2018

Non-Japanese YouTubers tackle the art of vlogging in the vernacular

Meet the foreign creators using the local language to build a Japanese fan base.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 16, 2018

The cutting edge of Kyoto swordmaking

Showcasing 170 blades, 19 of which are National Treasures and 61 are Important Cultural Properties, 'Swords of Kyoto: Master Craftsmanship from an Elegant Culture' is the largest sword exhibition in the Kyoto National Museum's 120-year history.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Sep 30, 2018

Cultivating a blend of honoring tradition, progress

As two of Asia's leading economies, Japan and Hong Kong have much in common. Now, Hong Kong's profile in Japan is set to rise further with a series of events during the upcoming Hong Kong Week (Oct. 29 to Nov. 11).
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Sep 25, 2018

Keiichi Tanaami's visually trippy past

Sometimes innocent, sometimes pornographic, influences percolated, exploded and re-formed in multiple and mutant ways during Keiichi Tanaami's career, which took off in the 1960s and is still going strong.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Sep 23, 2018

Beyond beauty: Setting the trend for working mothers

Lamborghini has historically been known for its raw speed, power and performance where the rubber meets the road. In the last few years, the company has stepped up its performance off the road when it comes to sales, which have surged globally and particularly in Japan, one of the company's key markets.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 21, 2018

World Rugby advises teams and supporters to cover up tattoos at World Cup in Japan

World Rugby has advised both players and supporters to cover up tattoos during the 2019 Rugby World Cup to avoid causing offense to their hosts.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / Defining the Heisei Era
Jul 28, 2018

Defining the Heisei Era: Japan embraces insularity

The third installment of a monthly 12-part series that looks back at the leading issues of the past three decades.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 23, 2018

Olympics minister Shunichi Suzuki lays out keys for successful Tokyo Games

The clock is always ticking at the same speed.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jul 7, 2018

Japan's biggest flavors come in small boxes

Japan Crate founder Hank Rao on the way his 'mystery box' helps bridge cultures and bring together families, the best and worst Japanese snacks and his dream KitKat flavor collaboration.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jul 1, 2018

From Tokyo to London: This is the house that Japan built

As London's new cultural hub of all things Japanese, Japan House London's minimalist interiors, striking central spiral staircase, displays of nnovative design, art and architectural works and classy top-floor restaurant impressively avoid the all-too-easy preconceptions about Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2018

Officials discuss water quality hopes at home, abroad

Water is a basic need for humans, the environment and the Earth. Governments, engineers and researchers have worked together toward securing water supplies and managing water quality around the world. The International Water Association is one of the biggest international organizations working to achieve...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 16, 2018

Ken Watanabe: Japan's flag-bearer in the world of entertainment

Ahead of the opening of 'The King and I' in London on June 21, the award-winning actor calls on young Japanese to step outside their comfort zone.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Jun 16, 2018

Online Japanese releases under fire after missing the mark

Even the most innocuous upload can carry political baggage online in 2018. It’s a truth Western users have become used to, where a pancake restaurant’s idiotic rebranding strategy can become a discussion about the appropriation of gang culture. Recent examples show that Japanese netizens are just...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jun 6, 2018

Fans of Japan and East Asia are reinventing Orientalism with a friendlier face

The Western entertainment industry presents a distorted image of Asia. But it also inspires hordes of fans to learn more.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / The Big Questions
Jun 3, 2018

Insurance leader proud to be there in times of need

Kenneth Reilly, president and CEO, AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., is the first to admit that insurance isn't sexy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jun 2, 2018

Fantasy island: Collaborative multimedia project in Nagasaki seeks to augment the natural world

A young girl's voice rings through the forest, drawing me further into the darkness. "Koko ni kite," the voice calls again in a whisper from the right, using a Japanese phrase that means "come this way."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 2, 2018

'Japanese Whisky' puts the ambrosial spirit in its place

In his new book, Brian Ashcraft explores the phenomenal success of Japanese whisky and what has led it to becoming the world's most desirable spirit.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices
Apr 4, 2018

Readers' views on intercultural insensitivity, Japanese schooling, English gaps and an inspirational Indian

Some readers' responses to recent stories on the Community pages:

Longform

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