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JAPAN
May 8, 2014

Most shared Japan Times stories from April

In case you missed them, here are the most shared stories from The Japan Times for April 2014.
Japan Times
Events / Events In Tokyo
May 8, 2014

Celebrate Okinawan culture at Tokyo's Yoyogi Park

In Okinawa Prefecture, soba is not a bowl of buckwheat noodles in a light broth — it is a helping of thick, white noodles served in a hot soup of pork-bone stock flavored with katsuobushi (dried skipjack tuna flakes). From foods to rituals, culture in Okinawa — shaped by its history as the Ryukyu...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 8, 2014

the Hiatus to swap guitars for synths on 'Keeper of the Flame' tour

Who says you can't go home again? After breaking from what it knows best, the Hiatus is set to return to the live-house venues that it built itself on, following a nationwide tour that took it in a different direction.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
May 8, 2014

Roses to inspire life in the pink

Don't panic if you almost forgot that it's Mother's Day on Sunday. The International Roses and Gardening Show could be just the ticket to stay in Mom's good graces. Why not give her a gift of flowers and then take her to an event showcasing nearly a million different roses, arranged by breeders and flower...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
May 8, 2014

Entertainment takes to the streets of Ibaraki

Street performances, known as daidōgei in Japan, are usually performed at random, so to see many shows all at once is a rare opportunity. The Hitachi Kokusai Daidogei in Ibaraki has invited 30 artists from Japan, France, China and England for a wide variety of performances, all taking place this weekend....
JAPAN
May 7, 2014

New cybersecurity bill would require all ministries to report attacks

Japan prepares to take another step toward bolstering its cybersecurity by creating a state entity that will assess online threats and countermeasures.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 7, 2014

As Ukraine burns, Putin tightens screws on dissent

While all eyes are turned to Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has quietly enacted laws that opponents say will strengthen his hand in a battle against dissent in Russia.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 7, 2014

Art Basel makes a difference in Asia

Magnus Renfrew, the director of Asia Art Basel, stopped by Tokyo in the lead up to this year's Art Basel in Hong Kong to talk about what it means to have Art Basel purchase Art HK.
Reader Mail
May 7, 2014

NHK failing its public mission

Regarding the May 3 article "Viewers target NHK chief Momii": This charade has been going on too long for the good of the nation. If NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii is reluctant to resign to resolve the problem that he created in the first place, and continues to cling to his benefactor — currently the...
Reader Mail
May 7, 2014

It's a restless jungle of critics

People seem to have become more intolerant and impatient than ever before. For example, when a Japanese scientist who had announced discovering a groundbreaking new technology related to stem cells was suspected of having manipulated and faked some data, the once lionized young woman was treated as if...
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
May 7, 2014

Republicans dredge up Benghazi controversy in bid for election-year ammo

Benghazi is back.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 5, 2014

Silk mill took Japan to global level

The historic Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture and its related facilities are expected to become UNESCO World Heritage sites next month.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 5, 2014

'Ordinary' billionaire behind canal project

Wang Jing, the enigmatic businessman behind Nicaragua's $50 billion Interoceanic Grand Canal, shrugs off skepticism about how a little-known entrepreneur can be driving a huge transcontinental project, insisting he is not an agent of the Beijing government.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
May 5, 2014

China military leaker gets 10 years

China has handed a 10-year prison term to an individual who leaked secret military documents and photographs to a foreign spy, state media reported on Monday, without naming the country involved.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
May 5, 2014

English morris dancing hits Japan, with all the bells and whistles

The English form of folk dancing known as morris dates back to the Middle Ages and involves costumed groups of dancers stepping in time to music. Barely seen in Japan before, this traditional art can now be experienced in the most unexpected of locations: Shikoku.
EDITORIALS
May 5, 2014

Virus spells trouble for pig farmers

Porcine epidemic diarrhea — a virulent disease that infects piglets — is rapidly spreading in Japan and could bankrupt some farmers already hit hard by the sudden rise in feed prices.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
May 4, 2014

Don't count on bubbles, wage hikes for more Asian growth

Japanese companies should realize the potential danger in relying on the continued expansion of Asian consumer spending, as it appears the region is headed for a period of economic stagnation.
Japan Times
LIFE / ADOPT ME!
May 4, 2014

A dog named Oboro: Tell me about it

When life weighs heavy and you're tired of two-way talk, there is nothing better to come home to than someone you can throw your arms around, snuggle up against and talk your heart out to. This golden retriever is perfect for just that.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 3, 2014

Japan's solitary ode to ink

Exhibits on display at the Yokohama Tattoo Museum suggest the goverment's view of body ink is out of touch with reality
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
May 3, 2014

Ako: trailing the ghosts of Japan's greatest vendetta

By noon of March 14, 1701, Edo was abuzz with rumors about what had happened earlier, in the "Great Pine Corridor" of the shogun's castle. Officials posted wooden signs around the city stating that Asano Naganori, lord of Ako Domain, had attacked and wounded his former tutor, Kira Yoshihisa.
JAPAN
May 2, 2014

Viewers target NHK chief Momii

A citizens' group launches a campaign against right-leaning NHK Chairman Katsuto Momii, demanding his immediate resignation and calling on viewers to stop paying their NHK subscription fees.
Events / KANSAI: WHO & WHAT
May 2, 2014

Kyoto shrine opens ceiling art for viewing

The Hiraoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto allows its 44 colorful drawings of flowers on the ceiling of the building to be viewed by the public twice a year. This year, the spring exhibition will run until May 18. Admission is ¥800.
EDITORIALS
May 2, 2014

Protecting the peace Constitution

As a majority of polled Japanese oppose Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to overturn the government's traditional interpretation of a constitutional principle that has enabled Japan to enjoy nearly 70 years of peace and prosperity, he should focus on improving ties with Japan's closest neighbors.
LIFE / Digital
May 2, 2014

The robots are taking over, and it won't be pretty

Not often do you hear a "Newsnight" presenter using an arcane mathematical term, but last week was an exception. The culprit was David Grossman, who made an excellent film for "Newsnight" about the threat to employment from advanced robotics. In the course of this, he made the standard pilgrimage to...
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 2, 2014

Malaysia releases missing plane report, reveals confusion

Malaysia on Thursday released its most comprehensive account yet of what happened to missing Flight MH370, in a preliminary report that detailed the route the plane probably took as it veered off course and revealed the confusion that followed.

Longform

Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.
Tracing Tsutaya Juzaburo, Edo’s media maverick