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EDITORIALS
Jan 23, 2009

Another slush-fund scandal

A slush-fund scandal has hit the construction industry again. Tokyo public prosecutors on Tuesday arrested the president of Nishimatsu Construction Co. on suspicion of instructing a former vice president and three others to bring ¥70 million into Japan without reporting it to customs authorities between...
COMMENTARY
Jan 22, 2009

China plays maritime chess

The start of Chinese patrols in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden is intended to extend China's naval role and presence far from its shores while demonstrating, under United Nations rules of engagement, a capability to conduct complex operations in distant waters.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2009

Magnetic speaker's words resonate with masses

When Tsutomu Toyama first read Barack Obama's November victory speech, he was deeply impressed, both by the choice of language and the message conveyed.
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2009

Toyoda family scion got to the top fair and square

Akio Toyoda, 52, heir apparent to Japan's biggest automaker, may have the founding family's blood running through his veins but was not spoiled in any way as he steadily climbed the corporate ladder, a journalist said Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 19, 2009

Ruinous cash-flow wall

The large number of corporate bankruptcies in 2008 shows how badly the global downturn has slammed the Japanese economy. The government should pay special attention to the fact that many companies in the black went under due to cash-flow problems.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jan 18, 2009

Braves confident veteran Kawakami can cut it in MLB

Former Chunichi Dragons right-hander Kenshin Kawakami became the second high-profile Japanese free agent pitcher to join a major league team in the past week, and the scout who recommended him and the agent who worked out his contract say they are delighted with the agreement.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jan 18, 2009

Finding the fabled Snow Country

"The special delights of the hot spring are for the unaccompanied gentleman," states the introduction to Yasunari Kawabata's "Snow Country," instantly seizing the attention.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Jan 18, 2009

Karori: A wildlife sanctuary for our times

A new year has begun, signs of change abound, and this column has migrated to a new page. The economic crises of 2008 are still with us and the nightmare of global climate shock is not one that we can awaken from. But among all this there are signs of hope.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jan 17, 2009

Beyond to the backcountry

Yeah, yeah, you've heard all about Niseko, the ski and snowboard mecca of Hokkaido. You already know it's the in place to go and that people from all over the world flock to Niseko for the famous deep powder snow that averages 15 meters per year.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Jan 17, 2009

Embroidery center gives women fabric for a future

For bank manager Miki Yoshida, her desire to do volunteer work in rural India started from an unlikely inspiration on an American expressway.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 16, 2009

'Revolutionary Road'

There's something about American suburbia that American cinema loves to hate, or at least give a dig in the ribs. The camera will pan in on the clean, airy spaciousness and obvious signs of prosperity, but the next minute, terrible things are always happening in the burbs: man-eating houses ("Amityville...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 16, 2009

Che Guevara revived for a movie revolution

As the Cuban revolution celebrates its 50th anniversary, it's hard to recall the enmity that led the United States to threaten and embargo its small neighbor for all these decades. Oh, right, Cuba is a communist regime, so we can't trade with them, just like, uh, China?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2009

If you can't sell designer bags, rent them

Japanese consumers are renowned for their appetite for luxury brands, hence Georgio Armani and other high-end labels opened their largest outlets in the world in the glitzy Ginza district in Tokyo.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 14, 2009

Chance for East Asian security cooperation

East Asian regional security cooperation has been a long sought-after but elusive goal for decades. Hindered by a lack of Chinese transparency, U.S. distrust and Japanese political uncertainty, options for serious dialogue and, more important, active participation in a long-term security regime for the...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 13, 2009

Step up nonproliferation efforts

Every year, Japan submits a resolution on nuclear disarmament to the United Nations General Assembly. This year was no different; the 15th such resolution was submitted in October. As the only country in the world against which nuclear weapons have been used, Japan understands the horror and devastation...
Japan Times
Events / WHERE IT'S AT
Jan 13, 2009

Women's Group kicks off with lucky tour

Members of the Tokyo American Club Women's Group participated in the Seven Lucky Gods Tour in Tokyo's old and picturesque district of Yanaka on Saturday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 11, 2009

Europe gets the shivers

Europe has been in the grip of a new cold war. This struggle has not been fought with militaries, but rather with energy exports. Yes, Russia and Ukraine are having their annual tussle over natural gas exports, and Europe has felt the effects. It is tempting to see the fight as a geopolitical faceoff...
Reader Mail
Jan 11, 2009

Losing patience with U.S. system

George Will's Jan. 4 article, "The increasing costs of longevity," simply underscores the ignorance most Americans have of both alternative health-care systems and the power of special interest lobbies. The 15 percent or so of Americans who listen to National Public Radio or the Public Broadcasting...
Reader Mail
Jan 11, 2009

Digital won't make it better

In the Dec. 28 Media Mix article, "Critics switched off over digital-TV plans," media critic Yukichi Amano made a very good point — namely, that switching to digital TV will be a waste of time if there is nothing new on offer in terms of programming. I would like to add that I think Japanese TV is...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Jan 10, 2009

There's a day for everything

Today is Jan. 10, with Japan having now wound down its holiday celebrations and settled in for another hard year of work, work, work.
COMMUNITY
Jan 10, 2009

Former J. League coach still dreams of life in Japan

EXETER, England — Steve Perryman is as London as you can get — born in London, grew up in London, played soccer in London (Tottenham Hotspur). But now, he lives in Exeter in the southwest of England and dreams of Japan.

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