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Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Dec 20, 2013

Haiyan victims still suffering as Christmas nears

More than a month has passed since Typhoon Haiyan demolished a large number of towns and villages in the central Philippines, and the people now have sufficient supplies of food and other basics. But most lost their homes and are now having to live in the open, according to the International Children's...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2013

Monitor sees improvement in Tepco culture

Forcing Tokyo Electric Power Co. into bankruptcy so the battered utility can get a fresh start is a notion that has been floated by critics and lawmakers, but it's a bad idea, says Barbara Judge, deputy chairwoman of Tepco's nuclear reform monitoring committee.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 20, 2013

The trouble with China's Troubled-Asset Relief

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the massive economic-stimulus package that China's government launched in the midst of the global recession has generated significant risk for China's banking system.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Dec 19, 2013

Rift growing between allies

The gut feeling of American military leaderes is that if only to prevent war between the U.S. and China, they don't want Japan's Self-Defense Forces to possess offensive-strike capabilities.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Dec 19, 2013

Osaka Hilton countdown party; Winter accommodation plan; Hakone hot springs and fugu stay

Osaka Hilton countdown party The Hilton Osaka will be counting down to 2014 with a party at The In Place lobby lounge Dec. 31.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 19, 2013

Hokkaido's Furano Kan Kan Mura is for people who need a space to chill

Chill out in Hokkaido's Furano and embrace winter at the annual Furano Kan Kan Mura Snow Night Fantasy, which kicks off on Dec. 21.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 18, 2013

Old ways to break the mold of mass production

The simplicity of form and color on display at "Product Design Today: Creating 'Made in Japan' " is undeniable. The ceramics are predominantly white, wooden items reveal natural grains, cast iron is kept jet black, contours are uncomplicated and there is not one single ostentatious embellishment.
EDITORIALS
Dec 18, 2013

WTO breakthrough in Bali

Meeting with trade ministers in Bali, Indonesia, the World Trade Organization has concluded its first trade reform agreement despite last-minute threats from Cuba and India. It is a moment to savor, but it is just a start.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 18, 2013

Josef Koudelka: the theatrics of life

Wild white hair and beard, but dressed in a drab, olive shirt and combat jacket, Josef Koudelka is like a guerrilla Father Christmas. Wearing scuffed shoes, and with a roughly unceremonious joviality, the Czech photographer appears uncomfortable being stalked around his exhibition by dozens of press...
Reader Mail
Dec 18, 2013

Mindset that bedevils English

Regarding the Dec. 14 front-page article "English education set to get serious": What is all this nonsense? Haven't we heard this all before? Japan's education ministry spends far more money per pupil on English lessons than any other nation in Asia, yet Japanese students continue to lag far behind their...
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 18, 2013

U.S. considers military trial for Russian detainee

The Obama administration is actively considering the use of a military commission in the United States to try a Russian who was captured fighting with the Taliban several years ago and has been held by the U.S. military at a detention facility near Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, former and current...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 17, 2013

Pyongyang could be in store for destabilization

The defenestration of Jang Song Thaek shows that no longer can even Pyongyang's putative second in command expect to be pensioned off to some posh inconsequential place once his services are no longer needed.
LIFE / Digital / JAPAN WEB WATCH
Dec 17, 2013

Looking at 2013's Japanese social-media scene

In the Japanese social-networking scene, Facebook still isn't dominating the way it does in the United States and many other countries. There are several other networks in Japan, both old and new, that occupy unique positions, though 2013 was an unusually quiet year, with no big takeovers among social-networking...
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2013

So far, so good for 'Abenomics'

Give the first year of 'Abenomics' an 'E' for effort, as the 'third arrow' of the plan — long-term growth strategy — cannot yet be fairly assessed. Hopefully bureaucratic resistance to deregulation will soften in the coming year.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 17, 2013

China's problem with Kim Jong Un

Last week's dramatic execution of Kim Jong Un's uncle — the China-friendly Jang Song Thaek — should prompt Chinese President Xi Jinping to all he can to rein in the vindictive, unpredictable Kim.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 17, 2013

Fukushi, Kiryu honored by JAAF

Veteran long-distance runner Kayoko Fukushi received the athlete of the year trophy and high school sensation Yoshihide Kiryu also grabbed the spotlight with two accolades at the annual JAAF Athletic Awards on Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 17, 2013

Tepco bonds a safe bet now: Nomura

Nomura Holdings Inc. is urging investors buy Tokyo Electric Power Co. bonds after a report that the government plans to cap the utility's cleanup costs at the wrecked Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2013

Complaints about overseas time shares rise

Consumer affairs centers are seeing an upsurge in complaints from people who bought time shares at luxury resorts overseas, including in Hawaii.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2013

Deceptive rice price reforms viewed as too late for industry

Toru Wakui has defied the government's “gentan” rice production controls since the 1970s, but the farm ministry's plans to abolish them haven't made him any happier.
EDITORIALS
Dec 15, 2013

Ishiba's ominous words

Statements by LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba underscore the danger that the new state secrets law could pose to Japanese democracy.
EDITORIALS
Dec 15, 2013

Protecting stalking victims

New guidelines, task forces and procedures established by the National Police Agency aim to better protect stalking victims.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Dec 15, 2013

To stay here long term, visa seekers need to prove they can pay their way

From finding a residence status that suits your circumstances to signing up a sponsor, getting a visa to stay in Japan for the long term can be a challenge.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat