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JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 2, 2017

Mayuko Toyota scandal brings to light how working as a Diet secretary can become a living hell

In the past few months, hardly a day hasgone by without a news story popping up on Japan's tabloid TV shows replaying Diet member Mayuko Toyota's now infamous rant.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Sep 23, 2017

In Japan under Shinzo Abe, more power to the PM, but to what end?

In his final Counterpoint column, Jeff Kingston considers where Japan is heading under scandal-hit Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 18, 2017

China Communist Party youth wing lashes out over parody Twitter account

The youth wing of China's ruling Communist Party said it has complained to Twitter about a fake account set up in its name that has tweeted sarcastic comments about the Communist Party.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 17, 2017

Abe poised to dissolve Lower House for snap general election

Media reports say that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to dissolve the Lower House as early as Sept. 28 and call a snap election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Sep 11, 2017

JR Tokai goes its own way against luxury sleeper trains

More and more Japan Railway companies are trying to attract new customers by offering luxury sleeper trains and unique services on their trains such as baths in tubs made of cypress and gourmet meals by top-class chefs.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 7, 2017

Former diplomat fears war on horizon

A former key Foreign Ministry negotiator sees a window of opportunity in which both sides can be persuaded to pull back, but it will only last a year or so.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 2, 2017

No one else wants Okinawa's U.S. bases

On Aug. 15, the 72nd anniversary of the Japanese surrender, there was a symposium in Tokyo about changing the Constitution. One of the panelists, documentarian Tatsuya Mori, pointed out that earlier that day Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had given remarks at an annual memorial event, and at no point did...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 27, 2017

Is violence the way to fight racism?

If fascism is the danger, a tactic that plainly failed in pre-war Europe is not the answer.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 10, 2017

North makes detailed threat to fire missiles near Guam as Tokyo condemns provocation

In an unprecedented announcement, North Korea said it is developing a plan to test-fire four intermediate ballistic missiles into the sea near Guam by mid-August.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Aug 9, 2017

Thailand sentences man to 18 years in prison for insulting monarchy

A Thai man was jailed for 18 years on Wednesday for posting six video clips deemed insulting to the monarchy, his lawyer said, the latest conviction in junta-ruled Thailand where authorities have cracked down on critics of the monarchy and military.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 3, 2017

Struggling in polls, Abe puts premium on stability in Cabinet shake-up

With Thursday's shake-up of his Cabinet done and dusted, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has delivered an apparent message to the public and political heavyweights in Nagatacho, the heart of Japan's central government.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jul 26, 2017

Stockbreeding industry interests and the Kake Gakuen case

The opening of the first university veterinary medical department in 50 years is part of an effort to overhaul interests controlling the nation's livestock industry.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 21, 2017

Championing TPP 2.0 could give Abe his global moment

To save his political hide, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should do something arguably no Japanese leader has done in decades: project strength and leadership abroad.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Jul 7, 2017

Lower tariffs on EU cheese imports may not translate to reduced prices for 'fromage' lovers

Japan and the European Union just announced a deal on free trade and will seek to reach a final agreement by the end of this year. The EU has already promised to phase out its 10 percent levy on Japanese automobiles, while Japan says it will eliminate taxes on a raft of food items.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2017

Ministry unveils plan for facial recognition to speed up airport entry/exit process

The Justice Ministry expects the plan, which doesn't require advance registration, to work better than a fingerprint-based system launched in 2007
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 29, 2017

Opposition parties renew demand that Abe open Diet to answer for scandals

The defense minister's gaffe along with Abe's lack of response to earlier calls to convene a Diet session prompts opposition parties to demand answers.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 26, 2017

America's Russian-roulette presidency

There's no relief in sight for Donald Trump as investigators probe whether his compaign colluded with Russian efforts to tip the U.S. presidential election in his favor.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 13, 2017

Under pressure to soften Brexit, May meets Northern Irish 'kingmakers'

Prime Minister Theresa May sought to strike a deal with a Northern Irish Protestant party to save her premiership on Tuesday as she came under intense pressure to soften her approach to Brexit days before formal EU divorce talks.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 8, 2017

How Trump might avoid criminal prosecution for obstruction

Did President Donald Trump obstruct justice? That is the question that will animate Thursday's Senate testimony by ousted FBI Director James Comey.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Jun 5, 2017

Unsure of U.S., Asia builds new alliances to counter China

Several Asian nations are seeking to bolster informal alliances among themselves, regional diplomats and officials said, unsettled by growing fears that the United States could not be relied on to maintain a buffer against China's assertiveness.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2017

Tackling signs in Japan that you're not welcome

Some Japanese businesses post signs barring foreign people from entering. What can you do about it?
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
May 22, 2017

Princess Mako, granddaughter of Emperor, to be engaged

Kei Komuro and Princess Mako are set to be engaged.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
May 20, 2017

Will there be a price to free education?

During a Lower House budget committee debate on May 8, Akira Nagatsuma of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to clarify remarks he had recently made about revising the Constitution. On May 3, which happened to be Constitution Day, Abe had delivered a message via...
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 17, 2017

Princess Mako's engagement likely to renew debate over female succession

The planned engagement of Princess Mako to a commoner has highlighted a critical question facing the Imperial family: Can the Imperial system survive without drastic reforms to its succession system?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 9, 2017

Renick Bell discovers the art inside the algorithms

In 2017, algorithms are everywhere.

Longform

Atsuyoshi Koike, the president and CEO of Rapidus, says there is a “sense of urgency” when it comes to Japan’s efforts in manufacturing semiconductors. “We have to make sure we are successful,” he says.
Atsuyoshi Koike’s big game: Fourth down and 2 nanometers to go