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Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 24, 2021

Yes, this tiny water cooler capsule toy is 'ridiculous.' Perfect.

Yoshiaki Yamanishi set out to create the most boring toy imaginable.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Oct 23, 2021

It's past time we flush the 'weird Japan' narrative

As The Tokyo Toilet project continues, so does the problematic way we frame stories about Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Longform
Oct 11, 2021

Japan’s convenience stores look to the future

Domestic franchises are struggling to remain relevant as consumer habits change and global competition intensifies.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 5, 2021

Former Manchester United star Park Ji-sung condemns racist fan song

The retired South Korea star says that while he understands the song is intended to praise him, he now finds the lyrics 'uncomfortable' and hopes fans will stop singing it at Old Trafford.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 19, 2021

COVID-19 was expected to spur a remote-work revolution in Japan. What happened?

A lack of digital infrastructure and an archaic corporate culture that values long working hours and face-to-face meetings is slowing down the nation's push toward working remotely.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Sep 18, 2021

Study rewrites understanding of modern Japan's genetic ancestry

New research shows that the people of Japan bear genetic signatures from three ancient populations rather than just two as previously thought — a more complex ancestry for the nation.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 30, 2021

Japan's new Digital Agency prepares for daunting task of overhauling tech policy

Past efforts have stumbled due to insufficient resources and bureaucratic divisions, and an ability to overcome these structural issues will make or break the new agency.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 20, 2021

Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Jekyll and Hyde year

The artist famous for his riddling photos has turned to old-fashioned function and grace in his design for the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden in the U.S.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 19, 2021

After a year without rowdy tourists, European cities want to keep it that way

Cities across Europe want to mold visits into shapes less onerous for residents, and perhaps more lucrative for business.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 9, 2021

Alibaba fires manager after sexual assault case rocks industry

The allegations, first reported by an employee on Aug. 2, have unearthed systemic challenges with the company's mechanisms.
Japan Times
PRESS / Events
Jul 29, 2021

“Helping businesses to act on sustainability” with James Hollow

The Japan Times Cube Co., Ltd. (representative director: Minako Suematsu) launched Roundtable by The Japan Times, a series of talk events that will be broadcasted in Japan.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 22, 2021

Elegy for a heartbroken Japanese Olympic medalist

Despite earning a bronze in the marathon at the Tokyo Games in 1964, Kokichi Tsuburaya was plunged into a downward spiral until his tragic end.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 21, 2021

Putin’s dangerous Ukraine narrative

Make no mistake: by denying Ukraine's right to independence, Putin is setting the stage for war. The West must quickly decide what it is willing to do to prevent it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Jul 4, 2021

No time to die, but a great time to wear a maekake apron

Once standard workwear for tradespeople, Anything Co. Ltd.'s maekake feature contemporary graphic designs, iconic ukiyo-e prints, manga characters and sports team logos.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Jun 28, 2021

Osaka: The world’s ‘second city’ … but by whose metrics?

The Economist Intelligence Unit has declared Osaka the second most livable city in the world. Does a former resident remember it being so wonderful?
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jun 27, 2021

Khamida Malianchinova: 'We couldn’t judge if it was Tokyo or us who chose to stay isolated'

After arriving from Kyrgyzstan on a scholarship, Khamida Malianchinova got into aikido and podcasting —u00a0both of which helped her be part of a community.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 24, 2021

Hikari makes soft-power moves with anime and Vocaloid covers

In 2021, the performer launched Singing Cosplayer Hikari, a multiplatform project anchored by her YouTube channel, to harness the booming popularity of anime and Japanese music.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jun 21, 2021

Bringing gluten-free concepts and cuisine to Japan

The medical problems associated with gluten are not as common in Japan, though some think this may not be the case a few years down the road.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 12, 2021

Shozo Street is ‘sacred ground’ for cafe lovers

The town of Kuroiso might seem an unlikely candidate for one of Japan's top coffee destinations. But Shozo Kikuchi has kicked off 30 years of community revitalization, one cafe at a time.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 22, 2021

China touts success building a Tibet less focused on religion

China's top leader in Tibet lauded the progress his country has made developing the region, touting a campaign that has fueled international accusations of human rights abuses.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Mar 13, 2021

Iittala celebrates its 140th anniversary with a new Tokyo flagship store

Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the Finnish design brand's recently opened flagship store in Omotesando allows customers to immerse themselves in the Nordic way of life.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 1, 2021

Australian Parliament rocked by historic rape allegation against minister

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under pressure to address what's described as a toxic culture in Canberra. The alleged victim in the latest case killed herself last June.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Feb 27, 2021

A childhood tradition makes a comeback with yusanbako

Three-tiered lacquered wooden lunch boxes, which originated in Tokushima Prefecture during the late Edo Period (1603-1868), are having a revival thanks to a trio of collaborators.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 25, 2021

For Tracy Hyde balances idyllic nostalgia with political unease on ‘Ethernity’

Guitarist Azusa Suga based part of the sound for the Tokyo rock band's new album “Ethernity” on American suburbia and pop culture from the 1990s.
Japan Times
SATOYAMA CONSORTIUM
Feb 12, 2021

Living history: You could spend a night in a castle

Although castles are one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, not many people know you can actually spend a night in a 400-year-old castle.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 5, 2021

A new golden age for Japanese entrepreneurs

No matter how small the startup, because of COVID-19, it can finally hire people, build teams, invest in what always yields the highest returns for any new venture — human capital.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2020

Divine crab cuisine, scenic vistas, ancient heritage await

Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Nov 9, 2020

Kenzo Takada: The fashion industry mourns the loss of a dreamer

Takada was the first Japanese designer to gain international success out of Paris's fashion industry, making his designs accessible and affordable.

Longform

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