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Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 11, 2019

Have Japan's yuru-kyara reached critical mass? Minds behind the mascots discuss

Over the past few decades, towns, cities and prefectures throughout Japan have been churning out mascots to represent and promote themselves, resulting in an annual contest, the Yuru-kyara Grand Prix, that has come to symbolize their popularity.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Mar 11, 2019

To get to the truth, Robert Mueller must put Trump under oath, says U.S. House intel panel chief

It would be a mistake for special counsel Robert Mueller not to subpoena President Donald Trump to appear before a grand jury in the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, said House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Mar 9, 2019

Ryoichi Kurokawa: The electronic artist's code

A self-taught multi-disciplinary artist merging art and electronic music, Ryoichi Kurokawa reconstructs the nature he grew up with software code.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 9, 2019

'My Brother's Husband': Young adult literature from Japan attracts a new global audience

In January this year, 'My Brother's Husband,' a two-volume manga written by Gengoroh Tagame and translated by Anne Ishii, won the inaugural Global Literature in Libraries Initiative (GLLI) Translated YA Book Prize.
JAPAN
Mar 5, 2019

The future is now: AI aids foreign residents

What do I have to do as a member of the chōkai (neighborhood association)? I'm expecting a baby. What do I need to do at city hall? Where can I use Wi-Fi services? I want to know how to use a fire extinguisher!
LIFE / Travel / G20 host cities special
Mar 5, 2019

Timeless hospitality welcomes international guests

Japan is gearing up to host its first-ever G20 Summit on June 28 and 29, as well as eight other ministerial meetings across several months.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Regional voices: Chubu
Mar 4, 2019

Few foreign residents aware of public nursing care plan but more expected to tap it as Japan grays

The number of foreign people living and retiring in Japan is expected to increase following the overhaul of the nation's immigration control law in April, which will introduce new types of working visas.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Feb 27, 2019

Dogen: Humor that's not lost in translation

Living in Japan can, from time to time, present a fair amount of frustration for non-Japanese, especially if they can't speak the language well. Long-term resident Kevin O'Donnell, who creates YouTube videos about Japan under the name "Dogen," isn't afraid to vent but avoids any vitriol.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Feb 25, 2019

Nagoya student tracks classical and jazz gigs for music fans across Japan

A student at Nagoya University's Graduate School of Information Science has developed an online platform for music fans that keeps them update on classical and jazz concerts by musician and venue.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 21, 2019

Former New Zealand PM Jenny Shipley denies writing pro-China article in Communist Party paper

A former New Zealand prime minister has denied writing an article attributed to her by the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party that praised the Asian giant's economic development at a time of strained ties.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Feb 18, 2019

World's masterpieces cast in Shigaraki ceramic at museum in Shikoku

The Otsuka Museum of Art in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, drew a lot of attention last year when popular singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu held his first live TV performance there on Dec. 31 for NHK's year-end "Kohaku Uta Gassen" ("Red and White Song Battle") music contest.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Feb 18, 2019

Trump policies unite allies against him at European security forum

In 2009, then U.S. Vice President Joe Biden came to Munich to "press the reset button" with Russia. A decade later he came again to offer the world better relations, this time with his own country.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Fukushima
Feb 17, 2019

Fukushima town works to revive herb vital to its frozen rice cake delicacy

A breeze rustles through leaves of oyamabokuchi plants on a farm in Katsurao, a village in Fukushima Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Okinawa
Feb 17, 2019

Okinawan fishermen reel in two live oarfish, eat portion of one

Two rare deep-sea oarfish caught in fixed nets off Toya port on the southwest side of Okinawa stunned the local fishing community last month for simply being alive.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Feb 16, 2019

Yoko Wylegala: The best lesson in life is to never stop learning

Albert Einstein once said that the "important thing is not to stop questioning." A similar aphorism applies to composer and classical musician Yoko Hamabe Wylegala, whose life has been defined since the age of 7 by studying and questioning one subject or another.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 13, 2019

Top U.S. military brass cautiously optimistic on North Korean diplomacy despite claim Kim won't relinquish his nukes

The top U.S. military commander for Asia and the head of American forces in South Korea have both expressed rare cautious optimism on diplomatic progress with North Korea while also reiterating earlier intelligence assessments that the country was unlikely to relinquish its nuclear arsenal.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Chugoku
Feb 12, 2019

Japan's temples turn to social media, video streaming and apps to lure visitors

Temples across the country, including in the Chugoku region, are increasingly turning to mobile apps, videos and social media to entice visitors.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Feb 12, 2019

Nagoya firm Jtekt develops gnarly skateboard bearings ahead of sport's Tokyo Olympic debut

Jtekt Corp., a Nagoya-based parts manufacturer affiliated with Toyota Motor Corp., has developed an upgraded version of Ninja, the brand name for its bearings used for skateboards, ahead of skateboarding making its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Feb 9, 2019

Loft under fire for its outdated portrayal of women in advertising campaign

Retailers typically strive to promote their products by creating ad campaigns that attract consumers’ attention.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 8, 2019

Setsubun: Killing two birds with one bean

Changing food consumption patterns takes time, and weighing the significance of Setsubun can trigger the first step forward.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 8, 2019

Kansai execs have big dreams of transport projects ahead of G20, Osaka Expo and possible casino

With the 2025 World Expo secured for Yumeshima district in Osaka Bay and growing confidence the man-made island will also host one of Japan's first casino resorts, Kansai's business leaders are stepping up efforts to win local approval and central government funding for major transportation infrastructure...
Japan Times
JAPAN / View from Osaka
Feb 7, 2019

University in Osaka aims to hone hotel staff with omotenashi to serve Japan's foreign guests

One of the key factors driving Japan's unprecedented tourism boom is its culture of hospitality — epitomized by the concept of omotenashi, which can be roughly translated as "wholeheartedly looking after guests."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 6, 2019

With the G20 facing numerous challenges, do the summit's engagement groups have the answers?

In the run-up to the Group of Twenty Leaders’ Summit in Osaka in late June, several related meetings of what are known as engagement groups are scheduled to take place in Tokyo and around the country. One of the more influential engagement groups is T20, or Think 20, whose members include influential...
CULTURE
Feb 5, 2019

Game for a laugh: Learning to become a manzai comedian

As I stand in the cramped wooden gangway at the side of the stage, going over my lines in a frantic whisper, I am reminded of something that American comedian Patrick Harlan had told me when we first met four months ago.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 4, 2019

Breaking the spell of aging

Extending the working lives of the elderly by offering better employment conditions is a top priority for Japan.
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2019

Gender, aging and climate to feature at Osaka G20, but Japan wants strong message on stable global growth

As host of this year's Group of 20 leaders' summit, a key official said Monday that Japan's most important task will be to chair a gathering that concludes with a strong message promoting stable worldwide economic growth.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Regional voices: Chubu
Feb 4, 2019

Zen Buddhist priest touched by kindness in Nepal offers shelter to those seeking refuge in Japan

One day in January, in a quiet Zen temple on a hill in Nagoya's Tenpaku Ward, a priest offered a Nigerian visitor okaki (rice crackers).
Japan Times
SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM
Feb 3, 2019

Tours highlight small-town eclecticism

Participants set out for study tours in the town of Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture on Oct. 21, following discussions and other programs at the Jinseki Kogen Hotel during a two-day event.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 1, 2019

Spy novels, daigou and democracy: The many lives of Yang Hengjun, Australian writer held in China

A Chinese-born Australian writer detained by authorities in Beijing for suspected espionage has long been a divisive figure among overseas Chinese dissidents and activists.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Jan 30, 2019

Thinking of working in Japan? It's good to know what you're in for

So you're thinking of working for a Japanese firm. You might be wondering whether what you've heard about working in Japan is true. Or, if you're already working here, you may wonder if what you're experiencing is typical.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.