National / Media | MEDIA MIX Apr 3, 2021
The legal conundrum surrounding same-sex marriage in Japan
by Philip Brasor
Are such relationships better guaranteed by judicial protection or constitutional reform?
National / Crime & Legal Mar 17, 2021
Japan court rules failure to recognize same-sex marriage unconstitutional
The Sapporo ruling set a new precedent in the only Group of Seven nation not to fully recognize same-sex partnerships, though it rejected demands for damages to be paid.
National | EXPLAINER Mar 16, 2021
Will Japan’s first same-sex marriage ruling be a beacon of hope?
by Tomohiro Osaki
With the country lagging behind the rest of the developed world on LGBTQ rights, hopes are high for a set of upcoming court rulings.
History | JAPAN TIMES GONE BY Mar 7, 2021
Japan Times 1921: Japan's heir sails today on what is epoch marking trip
A history-making trip by the emperor and a draft of the postwar Constitution make this month's look back on newspapers past particularly historical.
History | JAPAN TIMES GONE BY Nov 25, 2020
Japan Times 1970: Writer Yukio Mishima commits ritual suicide
100 YEARS AGO Thursday, Nov. 18, 1920 No more liquor in Diet building 1920 | THE JAPAN TIMES The next session of the Imperial Diet will be a dry one. It will be drier than the most arid stretch of the burning sands of the Sahara Desert — ...
National / Crime & Legal Nov 4, 2020
Kyoto governor sued over attendance at emperor's succession ritual
The plaintiffs claim Gov. Takatoshi Nishiwaki should return around ¥390,000 ($3,700) as his actions ran counter to the separation of religion and state.
Commentary / Japan Oct 2, 2020
Tats not all, folks: Behind the Supreme Court's tattoo ruling
by Colin P. A. Jones
Supreme Court ruling in tattoo case can be seen as a rare example of Japan’s courts second-guessing a regulator as to the interpretation of regulations.
National / Crime & Legal Sep 24, 2020
Japanese sex business operator sues state over virus handout snub
The lawyers said the woman suspended her business between mid-April and late May in accordance with business closure requests from the local authorities.
Commentary / Japan Sep 15, 2020
Abe’s last national security legacy for Suga to complete
by Kuni Miyake
Tokyo is contemplating setting a new direction for national security policy to cope with missiles targeting Japan.
National | ANALYSIS Sep 12, 2020
Abe lays groundwork for strike capability, but leaves decision to Japan’s next leader
by Jon Herskovitz and Isabel Reynolds
In his last full week on the job, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laid the groundwork for a plan to allow preemptive strikes on enemy bases.
National | ANALYSIS Sep 5, 2020
Japan strike capability could stoke simmering tensions in Asia
by Reito Kaneko
Experts say the move could drag Japan into a dangerous arms race with China that might force it to consider the acquisition of offensive weapons.
Commentary / Japan Aug 23, 2020
For Abe, latest milestone is a moment of trepidation
by Tobias Harris
Shinzo Abe, already Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, is set to pass another milestone on Monday, when he surpasses a half-century-old record set by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato for the longest consecutive tenure.