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Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Dec 20, 2009

Jeff Kingston: Best books of 2009

Maybe not a comfortable read for the holidays, but this is a poignant reminder about the human consequences of aerial bombing. The authors in this collection of essays demonstrate that such bombing does not win wars but does devastate, and it is civilians who suffer disproportionately. It appears that...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 18, 2009

Looking for personal definition

Art is always a collaboration between the artist and the viewer. Whatever the artist paints, sculpts or photographs is just so much dead matter until it comes alive in the mind of the viewer.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2009

Hatoyama backpedals on pledges

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama indicated Thursday he may abandon key election pledges made by his Democratic Party of Japan, citing the need for "flexibility" in politics.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 18, 2009

Children can enjoy Santa Claus opera on Christmas Eve

Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall will hold an opera for small children (5 years and older) to commemorate 150 years since the opening of Yokohama's port.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 18, 2009

Kids sing holiday classics

When a concert bills itself as being "from age 0," you can be sure it'll be a family affair.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 18, 2009

The beauty of subtle deceit

More than in any other country where the lacquer tree grows, the art of working with its hard-drying sap has excelled here in Japan. Two leading exponents were Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747) and Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), who both stand out not only for their inventive sense of design in decorating three-dimensional...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 18, 2009

Christmas market in Osaka serves festive German treats

Sipping on hot wine and nibbling on gingerbread, the German Christmas Market in Osaka gives you a taste of how holidays are traditionally spent in Germany.
BASKETBALL / NBA / NBA REPORT
Dec 16, 2009

Donaghy's claims don't stand up to scrutiny

NEW YORK — Originally, Tim Donaghy says he bet on 13 NBA games he refereed. Presently, the contention is 47, all but 10 resulting in wins by the point spread, or by picking the over-under.
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Dec 15, 2009

Old condos finally attract interest

Buying an old condo can be a risky but since many can be had at rock-bottom prices these days, they might be worth the investment.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 15, 2009

To gargle or not to gargle?

The Web site for the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contains a pandemic influenza storybook filled with personal reflections from survivors, family members and friends. One of the accounts tells the story of Art McLaughlin, who lived about 25 km east of Chicago during...
COMMENTARY
Dec 15, 2009

Underwriting a global reforestation program

SINGAPORE — Where does Southeast Asia rank in greenhouse-gas emissions, a key focal point of the international climate change negotiations?
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2009

Cop who couldn't hold it nabbed

A police officer has been arrested for allegedly urinating from a Tokyo train platform, the Metropolitan Police Department said Monday.
Reader Mail
Dec 13, 2009

Helpful 'ambassador' appreciated

Regarding the Nov. 15 article "Opening a 'window' to Japan": It's refreshing to see that Japan has such helpful personnel as Yuka Tsujimura at the Narita Airport Tourist Information Center. Especially in a recession, when people travel less, it is more important that the first impression be pleasant...
Reader Mail
Dec 13, 2009

Food self-sufficiency comes first

I agree with Takamitsu Sawa's remarks in his Dec. 7 article, "Agriculture must be rebuilt ahead of oil's 'noble' limits." Japan's industrialization in the 1960s had a crucial flaw: Mild areas where farmers could cultivate crops year-round were industrialized while farming continued in areas that had...
Reader Mail
Dec 13, 2009

Senseless idling of engines

Regarding the Dec. 2 article "Polls' built-in bias may skew climate views": I was dumbfounded by the assertion in the article that Japanese are among the world's most educated when it comes to the realities of climate change. From my observation, Japanese appear to be among the world's most uneducated...
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2009

Emperor will meet China's Xi Tuesday

Emperor Akihito will meet Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, waiving a customary rule that he be notified a month in advance of such visits, the Imperial Household Agency said.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Dec 12, 2009

The most annoying Japanese word

Several weeks ago a poll from the Marist Institute of Public Opinion — one that was slingshot quickly across the Internet — listed "whatever" as the most annoying of all English words.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 11, 2009

Mono

Considered one of Asia's top postrock acts since their 2001 "Under the Pipal Tree" debut and now a decade into their career, Tokyo's Mono are listed alongside the global leaders in their genre. Taking full advantage of their continually growing stature, the instrumental quartet invited a 28-member chamber...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / ART BRIEF
Dec 11, 2009

'CONSTELLATION 2'

Yuka Sasahara Gallery
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / ART BRIEF
Dec 11, 2009

'Bless You'

SCAI Bathhouse
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 11, 2009

Don Quixote gets punked

The contemporary Japanese dance scene has recently drifted to a more fragmented situation where groups delve deeper into their own particular take on performance, but one exception to this is Pappa Tarahumara. Founded by Hiroshi Koike (freshly back from a discussion presentation with Laurie Anderson...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 11, 2009

Clavichord gives Kobe taste of past

Kobe is set to host a rare clavichord concert titled "Patterns of Plants; Fragile Sound Tapestries Played on the Clavichord"on Dec. 13.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 11, 2009

Rody exhibition offers holiday gift hints

When the Rody pony was first trotted out from an Italian toy company in 1990, its intention was to help children between the ages of 2-5 develop balance and coordination skills.
COMMENTARY
Dec 10, 2009

Asia's new strategic partners

The recently concluded India-Australia security agreement has come at a time when tectonic power shifts are challenging Asian strategic stability. Asia has come a long way since the emergence of two Koreas, two Chinas, two Vietnams and a partitioned India. It has risen dramatically as the world's main...
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2009

Hong Kong looks to Japan's automated tombs

Hong Kong, one of the world's most densely populated areas, is looking to Japan for a solution to a perennial issue — what to do with the dead.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 8, 2009

In Osaka, a place the homeless call home

It was no surprise to many who know the area that Tatsuya Ichihashi, facing charges of murdering British teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker, has a connection with Osaka's Nishinari Ward.
COMMENTARY
Dec 8, 2009

Sexual liberation taking tragic turn in India

CHENNAI, India — As sexual freedom sweeps across India, women are increasingly finding that the price they have to pay in this euphoric atmosphere is very heavy.

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