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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.
EDITORIALS
Dec 29, 2013

Drones getting closer to home

Japanese should not assume that remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles for military purposes, otherwise known as drones, are being used only in remote parts of the world.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 29, 2013

A pardon for war hero convicted of being gay

Queen Elizabeth II's long-overdue pardon of war hero Allen Turing should serve as opportunity for the world to reflect on discrimination against gays.
LIFE / Language / THE BUZZ
Dec 28, 2013

Sharent: シェアレント

Sharent
EDITORIALS
Dec 26, 2013

All eyes on the new NHK chief

The governing board of NHK has appointed a supporter of the new state secrets protection law as the next president of Japan's public broadcaster. Katsuto Momii's three-year term starts Jan. 25.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2013

U.S. 'sledgehammer' justice sidelines the judge

'Sledgehammer' justice waged against nonviolent repeat offenders in the U.S. is said to have removed the role of judges and to have turned prosecutors into sentencers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 26, 2013

'Hunger Games' star continues to burn bright

Jennifer Lawrence says that first and foremost, she watches her latest film, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," as a fan. She was "stunned" when she saw the end result.
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 26, 2013

Tool separates Twitter fact from fiction

With misinformation rife on social media, users could do with a tool that can sift truth from fiction.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 25, 2013

Kumakawa blends ballet and business — with panache

Being good at business may be "the most fascinating art," as Andy Warhol said — and few likely know that better than Tetsuya Kumakawa, dancer extraordinaire turned extraordinary businessman.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2013

First lady scrutinizes blackballing of beauty queen

Ikumi Yoshimatsu's pursuit of stalking charges against powerful talent agency executives Genichi Taniguchi draws the attention of first lady Akie Abe.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 24, 2013

Sony sells Gracenote unit for $170 million

Sony Corp. has agreed to sell its Gracenote audio-recognition software business to Tribune Co. for $170 million, part of its effort to shed units as it focuses on fewer products.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 23, 2013

From Mikimoto's pearls to ones of publicity wisdom

Having invented a method for creating cultured pearls in 1893, Meiji Era entrepreneur Kokichi Mikimoto set about selling them to the world. Apparently not one for understatement, he once announced he hoped to "adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls."
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2013

Winners of 2013's behavioral economics oscars

The Oscars won't be awarded until March, but those who hand out the annual Behavioral Economics Oscars (Becons) are famously impatient, and it is time to announce this year's winners.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 22, 2013

This year's buzzwords show how Japanese is evolving

Last month I shelled out ¥2,980 for my 2014 edition of 現代用語の基礎知識 ("Gendai Yogo no Kiso Chishiki", "Encyclopedia of Contemporary Words"). It's a 1,660-page monster that's well worth the outlay, and this year publisher Jiyu Kokumin-sha, as an extra bonus, included a 74-page booklet that...
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Dec 22, 2013

Ima, denwa-wo shite-iru hito-ga Tian-san-desu

Today we will introduce the proper use of the particle u304c. X u304c is used to mark the subject of the sentence (= X) when it is newly introduced.
JAPAN / KANSAI PERSPECTIVE
Dec 22, 2013

Kyoto aims to be Muslim-friendly city

Kyoto, a city known worldwide as a major center for Buddhism and as the home of some of the country's most famous Shinto shrines, is stepping up efforts to better welcome one particular group of foreign visitors: Muslims.
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA / HOOP SCOOP
Dec 21, 2013

Major coaching changes defined 2013

Taking a (recent) trip down memory lane. . . .
EDITORIALS
Dec 21, 2013

Japan hits top in use of apps

Japan may have become the world's top country for generating mobile app revenue, but this brave new world poses dangers to unwary customers.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 21, 2013

Terrorists unite: All you have to lose is your freedom

Everyone had been wondering when the real Shinzo Abe would bare the dark recesses of his political soul. There had been some glimpses, but with Abenomics in a swoon amid growing skepticism about its sustainability, Japan's prime minister finally ripped off his mask as he rammed secrecy legislation through...
Reader Mail
Dec 21, 2013

Exactly who do you think he was?

Nelson Mandela was seen and revered not only as a political hero but practically as a living saint. The hagiography surrounding him somewhat disguises his many family tragedies, his policy failures and his political cunning.
WORLD
Dec 21, 2013

NSA, GCHQ targeted foreign interests, allies, heads of aid groups

British and United States spy agencies targeted the office of an Israeli prime minister, the heads of international aid organizations and a European Union official who oversees antitrust issues involving U.S. technology firms, according to secret documents.

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