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Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Nov 30, 2019

Sachiko Hara: Acting on a dream to perform

Using acting techniques inspired by Japanese angura (underground) theater, Sachiko Hara impressed European directors and won her way into German theater.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 27, 2019

Cherry blossom-viewing party: Breaking down Abe's latest cronyism scandal

Every year since 1952, the prime minister, via taxpayer funds, has hosted one of the nation's largest cherry blossom-viewing parties.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 24, 2019

Asahisho's comedic talents have provided many laughs

Sumo is a sport with a surprising amount of interesting characters.
EDITORIALS
Nov 24, 2019

Rengo's daunting challenges

Thirty years on, there remain many hurdles that Rengo must overcome.
EDITORIALS
Nov 23, 2019

Abe's report card and tasks ahead

Shinzo Abe has brought political stability with his long reign, but not a lot more.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 17, 2019

Outsourcing of English tests stirs up storm in education

When speaking last month about a plan to introduce private-sector English testing for university entrance exams, education minister Koichi Hagiuda created an outcry when he said students should compete for entry "in accordance with their (financial) standing," implying they should compete financially....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 14, 2019

Japan's decade of 'closed country' cinema

As Japanese box office figures hit record highs in the 2010s, the country's film industry became increasingly insular
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 13, 2019

Cheap power the key to AI-based business

It is imperative that Japan reform its power industry to make electricity more affordable for industries relying on AI.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 5, 2019

What's the RCEP, and what happened to the TPP?

When it comes to sweeping global free-trade agreements, U.S. President Donald Trump isn't the only party pooper. Two years after Trump withdrew the U.S. from a 12-nation deal known as the TPP, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pulled his country out of a 16-nation grouping led by China known as...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / 2010S: DECADE IN REVIEW
Nov 2, 2019

Our critics' favorite Japanese books of the decade

As 2020 approaches, The Japan Times' book reviewers look back at a decade of literature and their favorite and most impactful books written about Japan or by Japanese writers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 31, 2019

Japan Inc. paying more dividends than ever, says Nomura Holdings

Japan Inc. is paying dividends like never before, and that's poised to lure more investors, according to Nomura Holdings Inc.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 24, 2019

Ang Lee: The filmmaker decades ahead of his time

Filmmaker Ang Lee has dedicated himself to filming in high-resolution and 3D, techniques that most cinemas are not yet equipped to handle
JAPAN
Oct 8, 2019

Japan's Rising Sun flag: A bone of contention for South Korea

Late last month, South Korean lawmaker An Min-suk of the ruling Democratic Party stood before the media in Seoul to explain a resolution proposed in the National Assembly.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Sep 30, 2019

Giants star Shinnosuke Abe bows out as one of NPB's great catchers

For nearly 20 years Shinnosuke Abe's go-to phrase during hero interviews, following some heroic feat on the baseball diamond, has been "saikō desu" (the best). He'd be asked a question and would often shout the phrase as his response as the crowd ate it up.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 30, 2019

Tenuous ties: Few signs of substance behind warming Sino-Japanese relations as communist China marks 70th anniversary

As Washington and Beijing increasingly clash over global primacy, Japan's own ties with communist-ruled China have experienced an upswing — at least on the surface — ahead of Tuesday's 70th anniversary of the People's Republic.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Sep 29, 2019

The Tepco verdict is predictable but not insignificant

Three Tepco executives are acquitted of criminal negligence in the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant disaster. Did the court recognize the unfairness of holding only three people responsible for a crisis that had much broader causes?
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Sep 27, 2019

Shinnosuke Abe says goodbye to Giants fans on a winning note

Everyone at Tokyo Dome knew what Yomiuri Giants public address announcer Daisuke Takahashi was going say. They just needed to hear him say it one more time, one last time.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 27, 2019

What's behind Japan's political stability?

A majority of the Japanese electorate is quite sensible supporting a realistic security agenda and a moderately liberal economic and social agenda.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 19, 2019

Robert O'Brien, Trump's new national security adviser, seen as an arbiter rather than a confrontationalist

Donald Trump's selection of top hostage-affairs official Robert O'Brien as his new national security adviser sends a clear signal the president is seeking to turn the page from the confrontation and controversy that defined John Bolton's tenure in the job.
Japan Times
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Sep 17, 2019

Arrest of Canada intelligence official over leaked secrets could hurt allies, top cop says

The arrest of a top Canadian police officer on charges of leaking secret information could hurt intelligence operations by allied nations, the head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Monday.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHY DID YOU LEAVE JAPAN?
Sep 14, 2019

Mari Fukumoto: Hamburg hit the right notes

Germany's history of church music and composers enticed organist Fukumoto to leave Tokyo for Hamburg.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 12, 2019

Abe shows his command over LDP in reshuffle

Abe demonstrated that he is clearly in the driver's seat, posturing his allies for advancement in the LDP ranks, keeping bandwagoners contained and edging out rivals altogether.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League / B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Sep 12, 2019

Akita, Shimane are model local teams

Japan's pro basketball landscape completely changed during the bj-league's 11 seasons of operations. From six franchises in its inaugural 2005-06 season to 24 in the final year, new teams sprouted up every year throughout the nation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 6, 2019

The National Police Agency and the Senkakus

The next step in the evolution of Japanese security practice will involve growing pains, but for better or worse, the Abe administration has demonstrated its willingness to endure some friction to posture against China's steadily increasing presence in the East China Sea.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 5, 2019

Former PM Hatoyama regrets reneging on pledge to move Futenma airbase out of Okinawa

Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama says it was a "big mistake" to abandon his pledge to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma out of Okinawa.
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2019

Japan plans police unit to help defend Senkakus and far-off islets, NHK reports

Ties between Beijing and Tokyo deteriorated after Japan purchased part of the disputed Senkakus from a private owner in 2012, though relations have since improved.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 23, 2019

Abe tied as longest-serving postwar Japanese leader with great-uncle Sato at 2,798 days

Saturday will be Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's 2,799th day in office.

Longform

A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake