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Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 15, 2021

A top virologist in China, at center of a pandemic storm, speaks out

The virologist, Shi Zhengli, said in a rare interview that speculation about her lab in Wuhan was baseless. But China's habitual secrecy makes her claims hard to validate.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / Regional Voices: Okinawa
Jun 14, 2021

Okinawa activists fear land-purchase bill will hit anti-base movement

Residents are asking the government to provide an explanation as to why the legislation is necessary.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Jun 14, 2021

In Japan, families hit by COVID-19 struggle to care for infected children

Some have to rely on food delivery services to survive, while some children are missing school or kindergarten for over a month.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 13, 2021

‘The Party and the People’ shows Chinese leadership as responsive but unaccountable to the public

In his new book, Bruce J. Dickson refers to contemporary Chinese politics as a study in nuanced contrasts: authoritarian yet cooperative; repressive yet responsive to public opinion.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 12, 2021

Shozo Street is ‘sacred ground’ for cafe lovers

The town of Kuroiso might seem an unlikely candidate for one of Japan's top coffee destinations. But Shozo Kikuchi has kicked off 30 years of community revitalization, one cafe at a time.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 11, 2021

SoftBank's PayPay surges ahead in Japan's digital payments race

PayPay has deployed a shoe-leather sales force of thousands to target restaurants, drugstores and supermarkets, attracting more than 3 million merchants.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Jun 7, 2021

How Hokkaido is breaking down language barriers

With the number of non-Japanese continuing to grow, the prefecture is hoping to help all of its residents with more accessible information.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jun 5, 2021

At Dashin Soan, handmade noodles take pride of place

Expect refined ambience, a selection of elegant appetizers and top-notch soba.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 2, 2021

Malaysia to summon Chinese envoy over 'suspicious' air force activity

Malaysia's air force said it scrambled jets on Monday to conduct visual confirmation after the planes flew within 60 nautical miles of Malaysian Borneo's Sarawak state.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Kyushu
May 31, 2021

Pandemic wreaks havoc on Japan's homeless as government touts 'self-reliance'

As the coronavirus scourge continues to wreak havoc on the economy, the burden is unduly falling on so-called nonregular workers whose employment is unstable.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 31, 2021

Australia and New Zealand call on China to let U.N. visit Xinjiang

A joint statement from the leaders' annual meeting also included statements on Hong Kong and the South China Sea, two other areas that China regards as domestic affairs.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 30, 2021

'Japanese Prints and the World of Go': Exploring the pop-cultural psyche of the Edo Period

Meme-like themes in ukiyo-e prints reveal the rich heritage of go in “Japanese Prints and the World of Go.”
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
May 28, 2021

Chip crisis forces carmakers to rethink just-in-time ordering

The shortcomings of that system were made starkly clear this year as the automakers confronted a dearth of the chips they need to build advanced functions into their vehicles.
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 28, 2021

Brex and Jets set for showdown in B. League Finals

The finals will feature the two top teams from the regular season. Utsunomiya led the league with an .817 winning percentage while the Jets were second at .754.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 27, 2021

Hong Kong security chief threatens Jimmy Lai's bankers with jail if they deal in his accounts

Observers said the action extended the tightening national security apparatus into elite tiers of the banking system for the first time.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 27, 2021

Ado's defiant hit is a coming-of-age moment for Japan's Vocaloid culture

Ado caused a moral panic in Japan with her catchy and rebellious track 'Usseewa,' a track influenced by the cultural conventions of Vocaloid that are taking Japanese music by storm.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 26, 2021

Japanese firms double down on online sales in China amid tourism halt

Demand for Japanese cosmetics is rising as Chinese consumers unable to travel abroad accelerate purchases on e-commerce platforms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Okinawa
May 24, 2021

Okinawa children's cafeterias strive to maintain support amid pandemic

The prefecture has the highest number of children's diners offering free meals per elementary school nationwide.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Regional voices: Chubu
May 24, 2021

How Toyota's president helped develop the GR Yaris from the driver's seat

In his role as the firm's 'master driver,' Akio Toyoda test drives new car models as a final check before they hit showrooms.
BUSINESS / Economy / Longform
May 24, 2021

How COVID-19 is altering consumer behavior in Japan

The coronavirus has changed the way we all shop, but which habits are likely to stay with us when the pandemic subsides?
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
May 23, 2021

Japan clinical trial of COVID-19 plasma therapy highlights slow-moving medical policy

Doctors are gearing up for clinical trials of convalescent plasma therapy, but many overseas hospitals have already moved on to other remedies.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 23, 2021

What explains America’s antagonism toward China?

In the last few years, the view of China as a strategic rival has taken over the American political mainstream, with leaders largely choosing confrontation over cooperation.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
May 22, 2021

Global chip shortage likely to continue to haunt Japanese automakers

Manufacturers and tech players are itching to get free of a chip shortage that has derailed their production, but are likely in for a bit of a wait.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
May 20, 2021

Hong Kong court denies jury trial to first person charged under national security law

The landmark decision marks a departure from the global financial hub's common law traditions.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 20, 2021

Actress Mei Nagano gets ready to rumble in 'Office Royale'

The star of NHK's 'Half Blue Sky' learns how to hit and has some laughs along the way in Kazuaki Seki's 'Office Royale.'
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Tohoku
May 17, 2021

One year into the pandemic, Sendai schools confront the new normal

Transparent desk partitions and physical distancing have become standard fare for students.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / Regional Voices: Fukushima
May 17, 2021

Fukushima firm leaves mark on students' favorite school trip souvenir

Takahashi Industry started manufacturing wooden swords soon after it was founded in 1972, and has carved out a niche in Japan's souvenir market.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 17, 2021

Apple and Microsoft’s rivalry had cooled. Now it’s back and getting testier.

At a virtual product launch in November for Apple’s Mac reboot, actor John Hodgman appeared in a nerdy, ill-fitting suit before a white backdrop. "Stop, hang on, wait, one more thing, hi, I’m a PC,” he said, reprising the popular Mac vs. PC television commercials of a decade ago that not so subtly...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
May 15, 2021

Sip, snack and stand in style at No. 502

Tucked away in suburban Setagaya Ward, No. 502 is a perfect example of the recent fashion for wine stores with bars attached — plus an innovative plant-forward menu.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.