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Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2016

A conduit to China, Japan dodges pressure to ban ivory sales

Defying international pressure, Japan has stopped short of deciding to shut down its market for elephant ivory, traditionally used to carve hanko (personal seals). Instead it is promising to put trade on a tighter leash.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Aug 30, 2016

Shared homes offer respite for Japan's struggling single mothers

The government talks about creating a society where every woman can play an active role, but the chronic shortage of day care is pushing some entrepreneurs to take things into their own hands.
EDITORIALS
Jun 14, 2016

Bringing back the crested ibis

The effort to revive the crested ibis on Sado Island serves as a reminder that humans are responsible for the disappearance of many species, but that with the right efforts humans can also save endangered species from extinction.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Mar 8, 2016

Despite Xi's 'iron hand' warning to polluters, city residents still choking under smog

Embracing a groundswell of public outrage about toxic air ahead of annual legislative meetings last year in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping threatened to punish polluters with an "iron hand."
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2016

The Trump effect on China

If the Chinese believe that they are being thwarted from getting their due place in the global sun, their anger could fuel the rise of a populist leader.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 18, 2016

'Highly dangerous' radioactive material stolen in '15 in Iraq has arms potential

Iraq is searching for "highly dangerous" radioactive material stolen last year, according to an environment ministry document and seven security, environmental and provincial officials who fear it could be used as a weapon if acquired by Islamic State.
EDITORIALS
Feb 17, 2016

A setback for emissions cuts?

Short-term cost factors are taking precedence over long-term emissions goals in the government's energy policy.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Dec 5, 2015

Alien invasion: Vexatious foreign species are increasingly taking up residence in Japan

Shibuya has a rat problem.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 27, 2015

VW scandal exposes cozy ties between Germany's auto industry, government

Angela Merkel learned early in her political career that taking on the German car industry carries risks.
EDITORIALS
Sep 27, 2015

Misplaced emphasis on coal

The government and the power industry should rethink their emphasis on coal as a cheap alternative to nuclear energy in view of the impact on the nation's efforts against climate change.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 21, 2014

The battle to boost universities

The government should consider the latest lackluster global rankings for Japanese universities and undertake a fundamental review of its university education policies.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT
Apr 15, 2014

New China law to take on nation's polluters

Smog-hit China is set to pass a new law that would give Beijing more powers to shut polluting factories, punish officials and even place protected regions off-limits to industrial development, scholars have said.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Mar 2, 2014

Thinking outside the usual white box

Imagine being a meter tall and dashing around the donut-shaped roof of your school. Or picture studying math while taking in the rich smell of timber in one of a variety of wooden houses connected by a single three-story atrium, or attending a zero-carbon wooden school in the forest.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 10, 2014

Mutual fears of China, Japan

China and Japan are perceiving more and more threats from each other, and their overactive responses are causing strong sense of insecurity for the region. The vicious circle is driving an escalating arms race.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT ENGLISH
Jan 3, 2014

Immersion tactics come with risks and benefits

Some parents opt to immerse their children at a young age in a multilingual environment, hoping they will become not only bilingual but also have new avenues of opportunity open up.
EDITORIALS
Dec 19, 2013

Defense buildup won't bring security

With the adoption of Japan's first comprehensive guideline for security policy and diplomacy, the Abe Cabinet appears to operate under the illusion that the use of force ultimately could resolve the difficult situation the nation finds itself in.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / NOTEBOOK
Jun 5, 2013

A taste of college life through English lectures; Love Planet 2013 event

EDUCATION
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Feb 24, 2013

One former student's inspiring path to success

Seeing fewer years ahead and more behind me as a teacher, I often think back over the students who have passed through my classrooms and wonder how many will truly make a difference in the world.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
May 14, 2012

Nuclear watchdog autonomy

As the ruling Democratic Party of Japan under Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda pushed to make the yet-to-be-established Nuclear Regulatory Agency subordinate to the Environment Ministry, the opposition Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito favored granting it greater authority.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 7, 2011

A new, sustainable growth model for Asia

Led by Asia, the share of the global economy held by emerging markets has risen steadily over recent decades. For the countries of Asia — especially China and India — sustainable growth is no longer part of a global challenge. Instead, it has become a national growth-strategy issue.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2010

Cabinet OKs corporate tax cut, carbon levy

The government approved tax reform plans Thursday for fiscal 2011 that include a cut of 5 percentage points in the corporate tax and a hike worth about ¥500 billion for individuals, especially high income earners.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 26, 2010

Looking beyond art's boundaries

Art, it is often said, is a lens through which to see the world differently. "Differently" could mean more intensely, or more clearly, or in a new and unfamiliar way. This inevitably requires a separation between the artwork and the world. Art so understood thus sets up territories and borders, the lines...
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 31, 2010

Deal called biggest since '97 Kyoto pact

NAGOYA — Nearly two decades after its creation, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity has finally realized one of its main goals.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Sep 12, 2010

Late P.E.N. Club president sets tone of Tokyo global writers' meet

This month, The Japan P.E.N. Club hosts the annual International PEN Congress, whose wide variety of lectures, readings and symposia will feature guests from Japan and overseas.
JAPAN
Jul 31, 2010

Historic schools face doom

From August, Chuo Ward in Tokyo will start to razing two "fukko" (revival) elementary schools, and demolish a third one around two years later.
Japan Times
LIFE
Jun 27, 2010

Asahiyama's natural touch

Ivan the polar bear has been having relationship problems recently.
JAPAN
May 15, 2010

Hirano to Kagoshima again

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said Friday he will again visit Kagoshima Prefecture to try to overcome strong local opposition to the government's plans to partially relocate the operations of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Tokunoshima Island.

Longform

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