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COMMENTARY / World
Oct 18, 2011

The EU's clean-air turbulence

Passengers flying to and from Europe face higher fares from next year, and anyone flying to Japan or Asia will pay sharply more than those staying within Europe or going to the Middle East, thanks to new rules from the European Union in pursuit of an oxymoron, making air travel environmentally friendly....
Reader Mail
Oct 16, 2011

Nuclear debate clouded by quake

The triple tragedy of last March in Tohoku is no small matter. However, I have become increasingly vexed by statements found in the pages of The Japan Times and other leading newspapers that casually conclude the tragedy demonstrates the "danger" of nuclear power.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Oct 10, 2011

Tepco guarding its ground

Recent moves by Tokyo Electric Power Co. vis-a-vis Tepco's Management and Finance Investigation Committee, an independent government panel, show how the power company has tried to avoid being forced to sell large chunks of its assets.
COMMENTARY
Oct 7, 2011

Nuclear power's face looking rested

The catastrophic accident at Japan's Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant earlier this year undermined confidence in, and support for, nuclear power around the world. The plant north of Tokyo on the Pacific coast was hit by a series of explosions, fires and serious radiation leaks after a massive earthquake...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 4, 2011

'Smart city' projects revived by disasters

Ever since the March 11 disasters exposed the nation's dependence on conventional power sources and infrastructure, energy-efficient "smart city" projects have drawn increasing attention.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 29, 2011

Sage of Omaha could help Obama

President Barack Obama sure has been talking about Warren Buffett's taxes a lot lately. At his speech before a joint session of Congress this month, the president said that the billionaire shouldn't pay a higher tax rate than his secretary, a point Buffett has often made. The secretary's tax rate, and...
COMMENTARY
Sep 28, 2011

Let Greece default and live

Few things are as galling as being right too soon. Back in 1970, dissident Soviet historian Andrei Amalrik wrote a book boldly called "Will the Soviet Union Survive Until 1984?"
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 28, 2011

Long-range plan for Afghanistan would help

The U.S. focus on Afghanistan largely centers on withdrawing most forces by 2014 and reducing the cost of the war. These are important issues: By the end of fiscal year 2013, the United States will have spent $560 billion on the war, and current annual costs are more than $110 billion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / POWERING THE FUTURE
Sep 24, 2011

Despite headwinds, solar energy making progress, advocates say

Japan's largest solar panel plant is in full swing in Kunitomi, Miyazaki Prefecture, daily churning out up to 16,000 30-sq.-cm solar panels that have a conversion efficiency rate of more than 12 percent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / POWERING THE FUTURE
Sep 23, 2011

Current nuclear debate to set nation's course for decades

First in a six-part series about major sources of renewable energy in Japan and the prospects for their future use and development
BUSINESS
Sep 23, 2011

Honda spending $50 million on Ohio plant to restore full production in U.S.

Honda Motor Co. is spending $50 million to expand a transmission factory in Ohio as it upgrades U.S. assembly operations and works to restore full production slowed by an earthquake.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 22, 2011

Threats to the realization of India's potential

For all of India's many and weighty advantages and its present trajectory, a fatal stall cannot be ruled out.
JAPAN
Sep 21, 2011

Cabinet approves 10% cap on budget requests for '12

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to cap budget requests for fiscal 2012 and keep total general account spending — excluding debt-servicing costs — to less than ¥71 trillion, while allocating about ¥700 billion for special policy measures to boost economic growth.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 20, 2011

You name it: Rights for more municipal sites go on sale

C.C. Lemon isn't just the name of a soft drink — it's also the name of a famous concert hall in Tokyo more popularly known as Shibuko — a mecca for aspiring rock stars throughout Japan.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / HOTLINE TO NAGATACHO
Sep 20, 2011

Restructuring for the future, not rebuilding the past

Dear Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda,
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 13, 2011

Hosono to reshape nuclear policy

New Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has vowed to reduce Japan's reliance on nuclear power but has said that halted reactors that pass stringent safety tests may be restarted if the nation's energy needs are not being met.
COMMUNITY / Voices / HOTLINE TO NAGATACHO
Sep 13, 2011

Japan gets vital chance to rethink energy policy

Dear Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda,
COMMENTARY
Aug 31, 2011

Time for U.S. to say yes to Canadian oil sands

When it comes to energy, America is lucky to be next to Canada, whose proven oil reserves are estimated by Oil and Gas Journal at 175 billion barrels.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 24, 2011

Budget request deadline delayed

The Cabinet approved plans Tuesday to delay the deadline for funds requests made by ministries for the fiscal 2012 budget by a month, citing work on the third supplementary budget and Prime Minister Naoto Kan's imminent resignation.
COMMENTARY
Aug 19, 2011

Lighter shade of NATO fading still

During the Second World War, a future prime minister, Harold Macmillan, said America is "the new Roman empire and we Britons, like the Greeks of old, must teach them how to make it go."
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 17, 2011

Solar plant cleans Kawasaki image

Few people may realize there is a giant solar power plant in the heart of the Tokyo metropolis, where available open land is scarce.
BUSINESS
Aug 13, 2011

Honda ups India bike presence

Honda Motor Co., the world's biggest motorcycle maker, will expand its network of dealers and service outlets in India by 25 percent and introduce new models to gain sales in the nation.
EDITORIALS
Aug 12, 2011

Airport reform in Japan

A study panel of the infrastructure and transport ministry has released a report on the privatization of 27 airports managed by the central government. At present, the central government usually manages aviation-related facilities, such as runways, at these airports, while companies set up jointly by...
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2011

Orix to invest $1 billion in China for water, renewable energy quest

Orix Corp., a provider of financial services ranging from leasing to insurance, plans to invest as much as ¥80 billion ($1 billion) in China over two years in water, machinery and renewable energy.
BUSINESS
Aug 2, 2011

Mitsubishi Estate to upsize fund, target pensions

Mitsubishi Estate Co., the nation's largest developer by market value, plans to expand a property fund that targets pension investors to help boost its asset-management business.

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