Affairs
Page 132
On its game?
As preparations for the Tokyo Olympics enter the home straight, we assess whether the city has the infrastructure in place to deliver a world-class tournament.
Changing the picture
When three friends opened a small cinema in the coastal town of Zushi, it was the spark for the city’s cultural transformation.
Modern niches
Whether it’s door-to-door delivery services, cutesy telegrams or ear salons, Japan is home to a host of unique businesses.
Cities
Finding quality of life in Japan, Bogotá gets a metro and a suburb of Vancouver finally has a city centre.
Defence
Island disputes troubling Japan and the US nuclear command finally retires its floppy disks.
Diplomacy
Japanese soft power in Washington, a Lithuanian war hero and Australia's soft power revival.
Politics
Future leaders of Japan, the Lisbon Treaty anniversary and how spooks are coming out of the shadows.
Japanese lessons
Impeccable service, responsible citizenship and warm hospitality are just some of the practices that make society tick in Japan. Here are 10 things the country can teach the world.
Tipping point
In Japan, communism is not a dirty word. A top-selling newspaper and donation at the municipal level herald a decisive moment for this leftist, pacifist party.
Follow the bear
Fluffy, furry mascots are everywhere in Japan but Kumamon has captured the nation’s imagination like no other. We explore his ‘very’ soft-power potential.
