Search - 2020

 
 
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 20, 2021

Torch relay struggles highlight hurdles for pandemic Olympics

The withdrawal by Paralympian Rina Akiyama and more than a dozen celebrities from the relay, which starts Thursday, underscores the challenges facing organizers.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 16, 2021

In rare move, athletes and coaches speak out against Olympic planners

With support for the Tokyo Games still low, hopeful participants are taking to social media to push back against public perceptions that they are united with the event's organizers.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 16, 2021

Why Trumpian populism failed

Trump's “America First” was mostly posturing because he couldn't deliver real improvements in the lives of his base.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 13, 2021

How the world's biggest party is going antisocial

While vaccines are being rolled out globally, the COVID-19 pandemic still continues, threatening to severely dampen the Olympic spirit ahead of the Tokyo games.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 12, 2021

JOC president Yasuhiro Yamashita no stranger to Olympic frustration

The former judo heavyweight, who missed out on the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to an international boycott, is optimistic that the postponed Tokyo Games will go on this summer.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Remembering 3/11
Mar 11, 2021

Olympic torchbearer aiming to remind the world of 2011 disaster

Kenichi Kurosawa survived the earthquake and tsunami, and has been constantly encouraging his neighbors to stay strong ever since.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Mar 6, 2021

Increasing angst on social media may point to a silver lining as Japan looks to leave 2020 behind

The outrage expressed on Twitter has been noticeably worse than normal over the first two months of the year.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2021

An ‘old men’s club’ dominates Japan. The young just put them on notice.

Change may come slowly in Japanese society, but social media has offered an outlet for a younger generation stifled by a rigid hierarchy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 26, 2021

Mori’s resignation highlights changing gender norms

Yoshiro Mori reportedly decided to resign immediately after the remarks. It was the secretariat of the organizing committee who strongly pleaded with him to stay in his position.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2021

Hashimoto brings experience and connections in sports and politics to new role

The former Olympics minister appears to have only reluctantly accepted the post, and she may face questions about her relationship with her predecessor, Yoshiro Mori.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Feb 17, 2021

Episode 82: The sexism scandal engulfing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

New York Times bureau chief Motoko Rich breaks down Tokyo Olympic President Yoshiro Mori's sexist comments and what his resignation says about the status of women in Japanese society.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2021

Dream of running Olympic torch relay now prompts feelings of guilt for Japan doctor

The Olympic torch relay is set to begin on March 25, even though Tokyo and nine other prefectures are set to remain under a state of emergency through March 7.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 15, 2021

Over half of firms in Japan want Olympics canceled or postponed, survey shows

Only 7.7% of firms polled felt the games should proceed in full form as scheduled this year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 9, 2021

'Nothing good will come from replacing him:' Tokyo Olympics chief finds high-level support

Some on the Tokyo organizing committee believe it is important for Mori to 'quietly overcome' the crisis and for officials to do all they can to 'protect' him from the public fallout.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 6, 2021

More than 110,000 sign Japanese petition against Olympics chief after sexist comments

The petition calls on the JOC to take action against Yoshiro Mori, although it stops short of calling for his removal.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Feb 6, 2021

Finding the right measure of Olympic success in Japan

Does academic success lead to happiness? Weekly magazine Shukan Gendai offers a cautionary tale u2026
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 1, 2021

Tokyo 2020 organizers can't pin Olympic hopes on vaccines alone, experts warn

Some medical experts have questioned the idea of the staging of the games being linked to the availability of vaccines.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jan 27, 2021

IOC's Dick Pound wants to examine reasons for public apathy toward staging Tokyo Olympics

He said the decision on whether the games go ahead this summer must be made by May at the latest and stressed that another delay was not possible.

Longform

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