Monday, 22 April 2013

Conservative tasks in Japan

As the first conservative government in Japan for a long time, the Abe Cabinet faces two major tasks, including departing from the postwar regime on ...

Education reform over-reaches

It's possible that an Abe administration panel proposal to simplify the board of education system could vest local government leaders with too much influence.

Suu Kyi can’t wait forever to defend minorities

With Myanmar's army complicit in anti-Muslim violence, it hopes Aung San Suu Kyi speaks out in defense of Muslim Burmese and thus lose nationalist support.

The collectables

Game otaku rejoice! A bounty of treasures is available while limited-edition supplies last, from commemorative figurines to superkawaii retro backpacks.

Little bird on the prairie could help save entire ecosystem

Under an indigo predawn sky, as a frigid wind whipped across the plains, a half-dozen brown-and-white birds emerged from tufts of dry grass. They emitted ...

Student seeking Kyoto flat told: No foreigners allowed

After spending 2½ years living the quiet life in Shiga Prefecture, Ryukoku University student Victor Rosenhoj was looking forward to moving to Kyoto, where things ...

Hiroshima: What sweets tickled your taste buds at the National Confectionery Exposition?

"A bag of cheap sweets and snacks from Osaka, as well as candies using tangerines from Sakurajima, Kagoshima Prefecture. I buy sweets mostly to give ...

Fujuri todoke: a valuable insurance policy if your marriage is on the rocks

A reader asks: "What is the name of the form used to 'block' a kyōgi rikon (divorce by mutual consent) proceeding? Do they have these ...

Renter guarantor system a headache for foreigners

Things were going well for Patrick after a year in Japan. He had found a job he liked, met a girl he planned to marry ...

Shigeru Ban: between function and beauty

Architecture is rooted in the basic human need for shelter. But the profession today pays little attention to situations where the need for shelter is ...

Sato becomes first Japanese driver to win IndyCar race

Takuma Sato becomes the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race on Sunday in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Sea Horses win Game 5 to reclaim JBL crown

The Aisin Sea Horses beat the Toshiba Brave Thunders in Game 5 of the JBL Finals to clinch the championship for the first time in ...

Djokovic ends Nadal’s reign

Novak Djokovic kissed the clay and marveled at this sudden turn. The top-ranked Serb won the Monte Carlo Masters, and for the first time in nine ...

Liverpool fines Suarez for biting opponent

Liverpool fined Luis Suarez on Monday for biting an opponent a day earlier, and demanded that the troublesome striker work on his disciplinary problems. The Uruguay ...

Ducks extend Oilers’ playoff drought

The Edmonton Oilers now have the dubious status of holding the longest active playoff drought in the NHL. The Oilers will miss the playoffs for a ...

Early trouble will test Golden Eagles’ mettle

The grind of a 144-game season will usually, over time, weed out the pretenders from the contenders, often with ruthless precision. While any baseball season is ...