Features
Trump sees limits of presidency in avoiding blame for virus
President Donald Trump is confronting the most dangerous crisis a U.S. leader has faced this century as the coronavirus spreads and a once-vibrant economy falters. As the turmoil deepens, the choices he makes in the critical weeks ahead will shape his reelection prospects, legacy and the character of the nation.… Read
World short of six million nurses, WHO says
As COVID-19 captures global headlines, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the world needs nearly six million nurses. The U.N.'s health agency along with partners Nursing Now and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) underscored in a report the crucial role played by nurses, who make up more than… Read
5 France-based Japanese chefs feeding doctors during coronavirus fight
Five Japanese chefs came together and put their skills to work on Sunday to show their appreciation for the staff of a hospital in Dijon, France, who are working to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic. Takashi Kinoshita, 40, head chef at the hotel and restaurant Chateau de Courban in… Read
Steampunk business card holder
In Japan, business cards are seen as representations of the individuals whose names they bear, and so keeping yours loose in your pocket, or worse, doing so with someone else’s card, is a major breach of etiquette. Instead, you should have a dedicated business card case, something stylish or elegant…or super,… Read
Savings in Japan: How to get smart with your yen
Picture this: You’re living in Japan—maybe even far away from your family and friends back home. You have a wonderful life now, a stable partner, a job with the right income, security, and fulfillment. Not to forget: access to every seasonal Starbucks or Tully’s latte you’d ever want. But you… Read
Refunds row escalates as airlines warn millions of jobs at risk
Global airlines warned that 25 million jobs across the world could be at risk from the coronavirus air travel downturn, and held out against offering refunds to passengers as cash runs out. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued the warning as part of a series of messages about the… Read
Kawagoe: Sweet potato capital of the eastern world
Roasted sweet potatoes are a popular street food all over East Asia. In Japan, they’re called yaki-imo (焼き芋). Yaki-imo vendors first appeared on the streets of Japan more than 100 years ago. Yaki-imo vendors would travel the city hawking their fares from large cast-iron ovens mounted on handcarts and their plaintive cries became synonymous… Read
Japanese KitKats roll out limited, premium Blindfold Chocolatory line
Since the clever cats at KitKat melded the words “chocolate” and “laboratory” together to form “Chocolatory”, the name of their upmarket boutiques where the classier cuts of KitKat are curated, they’ve done all kinds of wondrous and whimsical things to the simple chocolate-covered wafer treat we all know and love. Japan is already something of… Read
Asia-Pacific response to COVID-19 and climate emergency must build a resilient, sustainable future
The unprecedented public health emergency triggered by the COVID -19 pandemic and its multi-faceted impact on people’s lives around the world is taking a heavy toll on Asia and the Pacific. Countries in our region are striving to mitigate the massive socioeconomic impact of the pandemic, which is also expected… Read
Kinko’s Japan to print free social distance measuring banners
Many companies around the world are doing their best to contribute to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Manufacturers capable of converting their production line to make masks (such as electronics maker Sharp in its factory in Mie Prefecture) or ventilators (such as Ford and GM in the US and Suzuki, in… Read
