Tag - science

 
 

SCIENCE

EDITORIALS
Jun 11, 2016
Scientists and defense research
Japanese scientists should maintain their long and proud tradition of not taking part in any defense-related research.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 8, 2016
The topic of AI always raises HAL and more
An astronaut in deep space finishes up some repairs to the parabolic antenna on his spacecraft's exterior. Through his helmet's microphone, he commands the ship's controlling supercomputer, HAL 9000, "Open the pod bay doors, HAL." A second later he gets a calm, cold response in his helmet: "I'm sorry,...
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 30, 2016
Science Council of Japan considers overturning long-held opposition to military research
The nation's largest and most powerful group of scientists has started discussing lifting its decades-old ban on defense-related research as the government seeks more collaboration with civilians in the development of weapons technology.
Japan Times
JAPAN / GENERATIONAL CHANGE
May 1, 2016
Ex-bureaucrat on mission to trigger technological revolution
Almost a decade before the March 2011 quake and tsunami triggered the triple core meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant, Ko Fujii knew the government could not effectively communicate the risks of nuclear technology.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 22, 2016
'Statistically significant' doesn't mean 'right'
Statistical techniques were invented by people who dreamed that the power of physics and chemistry might extend to a world of previously unpredictable phenomena, including human behavior.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 15, 2016
How to separate scientific fact from fiction
People must consider not just how to look for evidence that an idea is right, but how they might discover it's wrong.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 19, 2016
The physicist who said no to Albert Einstein
Thanks to the rejection of a scientific paper written by Albert Einstein, his prediction of the existence of gravitational waves — which now has been proving true — was not retracted.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2016
At last, scientists show Neanderthals some love
That modern humans ridiculed Neanderthals so maliciously for so long says more about our shortcomings than theirs.
EDITORIALS
Feb 6, 2016
Science and technology plan
Hopefully the government's new five-year plan for science and technology plan will reverse a disturbing decrease in the quality and quantity of Japanese research.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 6, 2016
Scientists open up to compassionate rodents
Scientists are starting to question their long-standing belief that animals are incapable of feeling empathy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 18, 2016
Toward a new Islamic golden age
Muslim nations must reverse their sorry state of science if they are to provide better lives for their booming populations and keep up with global development.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Dec 12, 2015
Gerald Curtis, the ultimate insider in Japanese politics, retires
Gerald Curtis will retire this month from Columbia University, where he has been teaching since 1968.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 9, 2015
Nobel prizes, unlocking universe's mysteries just another day's work at Hamamatsu Photonics
When employees at Hamamatsu Photonics KK found out their high-precision light sensors had helped win this year's Nobel Prize in physics, they treated it just like any other day at the office.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2015
Why is Einstein famous?
Albert Einstein's solitary brilliance, personal integrity and public activism combined with his lifelong gift for witty aphorism when dealing with the press and public gave him a unique and enduring fame.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Nov 27, 2015
Research faces a dire future
Thanks to poor funding and a lack of creative administration, Japan's recent success in winning Nobel Prizes will likely be followed by a long dry spell.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 23, 2015
Japan's future is an OISTer
Japan's best-kept educational secret is the world-class Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 10, 2015
Big science now faces big problems in China
Under the government's heavy hand, the Chinese scientific establishment has long suffered from cronyism, corruption and pervasive fraud.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle / CHILD'S PLAY
Nov 7, 2015
Get kids' education down to a science
If you've read my earlier Child's Play columns, then you probably know that my family and I will visit just about any place that deals with science and technology. Lucky for me, Tokyo is full of these places, but it certainly isn't the only city in Japan with learning opportunities like this.

Longform

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.
Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat