Tag - explainer

 
 

EXPLAINER

Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 14, 2016
The centuries-old charm of Japan's cherry blossoms
The time of year much awaited by many people across the country is finally near: the blooming period of the nation's beloved sakura (cherry blossoms).
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 7, 2016
Overworked teachers call for change as extracurricular supervision takes toll
As this year's elementary school graduates enter junior high school in April, one of their biggest concerns will be which extracurricular club to join.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 29, 2016
Competing interests converge on health care price-setting panel
On Feb. 10, as hundreds of people in business attire watched from the gallery, a panel of experts under the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry adopted a long list of proposals to revise the fees that can be charged by the nation's hospitals and pharmacies for medical procedures and prescriptions under...
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 22, 2016
Cellphone cease-fire signals change
The Japanese mobile phone industry recently came under fire from the government for using ambiguous price-setting schemes and excessive handset discounts that stole customers from rivals but penalized loyalty.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 8, 2016
Glass ceiling yet to be broken in Japan politics
Japan will this year mark 70 years since the nation saw women win Lower House seats for the first time in April 1946.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 1, 2016
U.S. presidential contenders vow status quo in Japan ties
With the Iowa caucus Monday, the primary voting process that will select Democratic and Republican candidates to run in the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential election has begun. Over the next four months, American, and international, attention will be focused on the primary races, and who emerges as their party's...
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 25, 2016
Changes in store for TOEIC, but test still not total gauge of fluency: experts
In Japan, having high English proficiency can be a strong advantage for students wishing to get into prestigious universities and companies and for businesspeople seeking a promotion.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 18, 2016
Rescues point to dangers of searching out backcountry powder
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding have come under scrutiny after the recent rescue of two groups of skiers stranded in mountains in Nagano and Fukushima prefectures.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 11, 2016
Abe's constitutional revision hopes ride on July election, right-leaning opposition cooperation
Japan's postwar pacifism will face a critical challenge this year that could drastically change the course of this country forever: the July Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 28, 2015
Eat-in areas on the rise in Japan’s convenience stores and supermarkets
In the quest for next-level service, convenience stores and supermarkets are increasingly keen to experiment with "eat-in" lounge areas.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 21, 2015
Joso disaster prompts ministry rethink of flood control, prediction policies
On Dec. 11, the land ministry released a new policy vision for dealing with floods in response to September's typhoon-triggered breach of the Kinugawa River, which inundated residential areas of Joso, Ibaraki Prefecture, stranding thousands for hours, and some for days.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 7, 2015
Japan pushes new policies to reboot startup sector
When asked to name globally recognized Japanese firms founded within the last decade, many people would be hard-pressed to list any.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 30, 2015
Stress test to join annual health checks as mental problems rise in corporate Japan
In light of the nationwide rise in mental health problems, the Industrial Safety and Health Law was revised last year to oblige companies to offer annual "stress checks" to employees starting Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 23, 2015
Fate of troubled Monju reactor hangs in the balance
The prototype fast-breeder reactor's future sits under a cloud after 20 years of misfires.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 16, 2015
TPP no done deal; hurdles include interpretation, legislative approval, U.S. election
The full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement was released this month. The document is a wide-ranging accord between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 2, 2015
Does biometric authentication hold the key to a bright future or Pandora's box?
Forgot your password? Maybe that won't be an issue in the near future.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / EXPLAINER
Oct 26, 2015
Plan to hire more foreign housekeepers no easy chore, say industry players
The role of housekeepers has come under the spotlight as the government looks to them to provide working mothers with help at home as one way to prop up the nation's dwindling workforce.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 19, 2015
UNESCO strikes political nerve with Nanking Massacre documents
A fierce battle is raging over UNESCO's stewardship of history.
JAPAN / Explainer
Oct 19, 2015
The Fukushima nuclear cleanup, four years on
Tokyo Electric Power Co. is scheduled to complete a seaside wall at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power station at the end of the month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Oct 13, 2015
Japan may empower courts to handle more cross-border divorce suits
After 18 months of deliberations, the Legislative Council of the Justice Ministry has drawn up an outline for legal revisions aimed at resolving a problem many failed marriages face: whether the Japan-based spouse can file for divorce here rather than overseas.

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
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