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JAPAN / Politics
Jun 19, 2017

A contrite Abe takes blame for support plunge

Taking a recent plunge in his Cabinet's support rate to heart, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe admits that his government's recent handling of alleged favoritism scandals was at fault for stoking voter distrust.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 26, 2016

Abdication panel leans toward one-off deal after Emperor Akihito's rare video

A government panel appears ready to propose that a special temporary law be enacted to allow Emperor Akihito, 83, to abdicate, given his advanced age.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 31, 2016

More Japanese view U.S. as in decline and threat to nation, survey shows

A new study by the Pew Research Center has shown that while 72 percent of Japanese retain a favorable view of the United States, 61 percent see America in decline on the global stage.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 8, 2016

Unknown quantity: How the outcome of the presidential election in November could affect Japan-U.S. relations

"Jesus! Where will it end? How low do you have to stoop in this country to be president?" — Hunter S. Thompson, "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72"
COMMUNITY / Issues / LABOR PAINS
Mar 27, 2016

Bearded train driver, out-of-pocket teacher and CV faker: How would they fare in court?

A look at three shiny new news items from the gossip columns that take on a different sheen when examined under the piercing light of labor law.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 2, 2016

Why N.Y. judge's decision is huge win for Apple

A New York judge's ruling is a milestone in the ongoing debate over privacy and national security.
Japan Times
WORLD / Society / FOCUS
Jun 27, 2015

Legal battles remain for U.S. gay rights despite momentous ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court's declaration on Friday of a right to same-sex marriage resolved a momentous question, yet the ruling left many others unanswered and is likely to spark future legal battles over gay rights.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Mar 16, 2015

Japanese activists fight against the tide to save whales and dolphins

Homegrown foes of dolphin hunts and 'research whaling' face off against a daunting array of powerful interests.
EDITORIALS
Jan 15, 2015

Deplorable rejection of a retrial

A Nagoya court uses a depolorable rationale to reject the eighth request for retrial of an 88-year-old death row inmate convicted of fatally poisoning five women in 1961.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Oct 29, 2014

Town hall meetings: Abandon logic, all ye who enter here

The first thing you want to do when you get to the meeting room, whether it be summer or winter, is open all the windows. This is because you'll have to throw all logic out the window. Open as many as possible, 'cause there's a lot of logic to heave.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 3, 2014

Supreme Court's rejection of U.S. campaign funding limits opens door for big-money donors

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a key pillar of federal campaign finance law by allowing donors to give money to as many political candidates, parties and committees as they wish.
Reader Mail
Apr 2, 2014

Recent death sentences in Egypt

Regarding the March 27 AP article, "Anti-Islamist fervor prompts harsh Egypt court sentences": Commenting on reactions from foreign quarters to a Minya criminal court decision referring death sentences against 529 defendants, implicated in acts of sabotage, to the Mufti of the Republic for his opinion,...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 17, 2014

Abe put Japan on back foot in global PR war with China

Japan is losing its global PR war with China because it can't muzzle its nationalist leaders, hide their revisionist agendas or stop them from visiting Yasukuni Shrine.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE
Dec 1, 2013

Crusader for social activism brings Change.org to Japan

The woman who brought Change.org to Japan says the online petition platform is just the ticket to get the normally reticent Japanese to become more active in achieving social change.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Aug 3, 2013

Where's the love? Japanese feel unhappy, unloved and pessimistic

The results of a Pew Opinion survey released in July 2013 found that the public mood in Japan is improving but remains "mostly one of dissatisfaction." However, that dissatisfaction is 10 percent lower than the level registered in 2007 during Shinzo Abe's first spell as premier.
EDITORIALS
Jul 7, 2013

Step toward equality under the law

The U.S. Supreme Court walked a fine line in ruling that same-sex couples are entitled to federal benefits. It washed its hands of the most polarizing point.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / JAPAN-CHINA SYMPOSIUM
Apr 30, 2013

Japan, China at risk of losing sight of true interests

As Japan deals with China, the nation needs to get an accurate picture of what the giant neighbor is and where it is headed, rather than be swayed by what could be a larger-than-life image of the new economic and military power in East Asia, China watchers said at a recent symposium in Tokyo.
EDITORIALS
Apr 10, 2013

Loosen the lay judge gag

It is disappointing that a Justice Ministry review panel so far doesn't give strong support to the idea of loosening the gag order imposed on lay judges.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
May 29, 2011

Evessa's Washington is greatest player in bj-league history

Six years is a long, long time in professional sports. In a word, it's an era.
JAPAN / ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Dec 2, 2009

Polls' built-in bias may skew climate views

Last in a series
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Sep 6, 2008

Meddling from management left Keegan, Curbishley with no choice

LONDON — Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley resigned this week as managers of Newcastle and West Ham because the new breed of Premier League owners wouldn't let them manage.
Reader Mail
May 18, 2008

A little slack for letter-writers

M. Randolph's May 4 letter, "Improve content, including letters," and A. Charles Muller's May 8 letter, "Use fewer letters when quality lags," both agree that my letter-writing is an example of how NOT to write an opinion letter, citing lack of supporting ideas or clear logic. Sticks and stones! Letters...
Reader Mail
Dec 16, 2007

Undue public influence on text

"During World War II, many Okinawan people were forced to commit suicide by the Japanese Army.''
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 30, 2007

America mismanaging missile defense

PRAGUE -- Missile defense has suddenly emerged as a divisive issue in Europe. Rather than enhancing European security, the Bush administration's plan to deploy elements of a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic threatens to increase strains with Russia and deepen divisions with America's...
COMMENTARY
Dec 21, 2006

Al-Jazeera English: the plot is thickening

LONDON -- The launch of Al-Jazeera English, the English arm of Al-Jazeera Satellite Television, on Nov. 15 was a notable addition to the growing global efforts aimed at counterbalancing American-European domination over world media.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 1, 2006

May the least undesirable candidate win

WARSAW -- The late British Prime Minister Harold Wilson used to quip that "a week is a long time in politics." In the 30 or so weeks between now and the next French presidential election, any prediction made today could be reversed, and reversed again, before the vote.

Longform

The sun shines from behind a waving Philippine flag at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Eighty years after the Battle of Manila, old foes forge new ties