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COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2014

China's anti-Kim campaign

The next target of China's autocrats, already waging an undeclared war over territory against multiple neighboring countries, is likely to be fellow communist state North Korea, now an estranged ally.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / NOTEBOOK
Jan 7, 2014

'Washoku' in Florence; JTA's whale shark jets

EVENTS
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2014

Common-law pairs OK'd for in vitro births

The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology will officially approve in vitro fertilization for people in common-law marriages, relaxing a voluntary curb.
EDITORIALS
Jan 6, 2014

Attracting more tourists to Japan

If Japan is really serious about attracting 20 million tourists a year by the time of the 2020 Olympics, the nation has a lot more to do to make visitors feel more welcome.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 6, 2014

Obama's Asian 'pivot' went flying off like a divot

Even in Washington-centric Washington, President Barack Obama gets the award for having the worst year in Asia. His 'pivot to Asia' looked more like a divot.
JAPAN / BULLETIN BOARD
Jan 6, 2014

Tokyo job fair to help students from Southeast Asia

A job fair for students from Southeast Asian countries seeking employment in Japan will be held Sunday in Tokyo. Recruiters from various industries, such as manufacturing, travel, transportation and retail, will be in attendance.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2014

'Solar girl' sheds reliance on Tepco for spartan life on the edge of the grid

It was August 2012 when Chikako Fujii had one of the most memorable conversations of her life. That moment came when a bill collector from Tokyo Electric Power Co. rang her doorbell in the west Tokyo suburb of Kunitachi and told her with finality that she had an important choice to make.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / JAPAN TIMES GONE BY
Jan 4, 2014

Kagoshima volcano erupts, warplanes fly over Tokyo, exhibit shows Okamoto's bold side, Emperor dies

A terrible eruption on Sakurajima, an island in Kagoshima Bay having an active volcano, occurred yesterday at 10 a.m. Up to that time, since the night of the 10th, more than 70 earthquakes had been experienced in Kagoshima. With thundering sounds, the eruption was visible from all sides of Kagoshima.
EDITORIALS
Jan 4, 2014

Not all kids can fete the new year

The extreme poor in Japan make up a larger percentage of the poor than in all except five other OECD nations. The children of this group do not have the basics for learning.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2014

Business tie-ups that help the Himalayan poor

The private sector can be a powerful partner in any endeavor just as it is with commercial satellite launches. This must include the fight against poverty in Hindu Kush-Himalayas.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2014

Century engine starts now

The last two centuries (and possibly more) didn't 'start' with the turning of the calendar from 00 to 01. Each century began bending the arc of history, in essence, in its 14th year.
Events / Events In Tokyo
Jan 2, 2014

Get kids in shape for New Year's

It's never too early to get potential Olympic stars into shape, so why not take your children to Kodomo-no-shiro (National Children's Castle) in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, which will be hosting various events for a kids' mini Olympic Games.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 2, 2014

Google's drive into robotics should concern us all

Over the past year, Google has bought eight robotics companies. Its most recent acquisition is an outfit called Boston Dynamics, which makes the nearest thing to a mechanical mule that you are ever likely to see. It's called Big Dog and it walks, runs, climbs and carries heavy loads. It's the size of...
Events / Events In Tokyo
Jan 2, 2014

Don't burn out on New Year's, go see the fire brigade

Feasting on countless mochi (rice cakes) and watching mind-numbing television is one "traditional" way to spend the New Year's holidays. But if you happen to be bored of that routine, check out the Tokyo Fire Department's (TDF) annual Dezome-shiki event for a glimpse of fire engines in action.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Dec 31, 2013

Bombings bode ill for Olympic security

President Vladimir Putin's daring bid to host the Winter Olympics in the politically dicey Caucasus Mountains may not pay off as he hopes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 31, 2013

Tokyo prepares to get schooled in the art of beats

Although the major spectacle looming on Tokyo's horizon is undoubtedly the 2020 Olympics, there is one event this year that will be eagerly anticipated by anyone who spends longer on their gym playlist than their workout: The Red Bull Music Academy (RBMA) is set to take place here in October.
JAPAN / GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT ENGLISH
Dec 31, 2013

English to get 2020 push but teachers not on same page

A reform plan released in mid-December by the education ministry looks to bolster English study from elementary to high school from the 2020 academic year to pursue globalization.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 31, 2013

Red Bull Music Academy grad Mr. Beatnick has tips for the Class of '14

Londoner Nick Wilson took part in one of the early editions of the Red Bull Music Academy (RBMA) in Cape Town in 2003. The ensuing years have seen him heavily involved in the city's underground scene, whether it is producing genre-hopping electronic music as Mr Beatnick or writing for publications such...
WORLD
Dec 31, 2013

Egypt arrests four Al Jazeera journalists for Brotherhood ties

Egypt's government has detained four journalists working for the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera English news channel, arresting them during raids on a five-star hotel and at least one private residence Sunday night.
EDITORIALS
Dec 30, 2013

Too young for motherhood

Motherhood in childhood has become a huge global problem. Every year in developing countries, 7.3 million girls — or 20,000 per day — below the age of 18 give birth in developing countries. Two million of these mothers are below the age of 15.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 30, 2013

Is being nice to customers really so disgusting?

That women in Japan are oppressed, neglected, or otherwise compelled to speak well above their natural pitch in formal settings has become a tired, cheap refrain among some American journalists.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 30, 2013

Where the wild things are: the animal social network

Stumpy is a hulking fixture in seas around Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Western Australia. Photographed there often, he has a tranquil, inquisitive demeanor — despite his 10-ton heft.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 29, 2013

So much for nau: What will we say next?

The end of the year is always a good time to reflect on what is, was and will be. With regard to language, one of the most stimulating things I have recently read in this respect was from an article in the journal Nihongogaku (日本語学) about a study in which Japanese university students were asked...
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 29, 2013

Shinagawa-san-wa dokoka-ni iku-n-desu-ka?

Today, we will introduce the proper use of the particle u306f. Precisely speaking, Xu306f can be translated as 'talking about X' or 'as for X.' The speaker marks the topic of the sentence (= X), and says something about the topic.

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