PASSPORTS PLEASE
Foreigners working in Japan, like the guests in The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” can check out any time they want, but they might not be able to leave.
NO DOES MEAN NO
Shiori Ito allegedly was raped by the prime minister's biographer; the prosecutors dropped the ball, but in civil court the outcome was different.
EXPLOSIVE REVELATIONS
A controversial book about Japan’s race to build an atomic weapon in 1945 is published there for the first time. It also raises questions about how North Korea finally got a bomb.
VICTIM-BLAMING
Recent not-guilty verdicts in four cases of sexual assault, two involving incest, have outraged women in Japan, and they’re taking to the streets to make that clear.
DISTURBING
In Japan’s “Idol” Industry cute young girls often are used and abused. One victim spoke out—then apologized.
HATE SPEECH
The remarkably ignorant, offensive remarks by senior officials have gone from bad to worse, including an assertion LGBT marriage would lead to people marrying pets or machines.
FIVE-FINGER DISCOUNTS
The warm-hearted story of a loose-knit ‘family’ struggling to survive is based on field research into Japanese poverty, and inspired by an abused child.
NAMING NAMES
Shiori Ito was determined not to let her alleged rapist go unpunished. Now the global uproar that began with allegations against Harvey Weinstein is helping her make her case.
THE GRUDGE
A ‘revolutionary’ member of the Yakuza was targeted. He lived. His bodyguard didn’t. A missed hit? Or a message?
HORRORSCOPE
If you have Type B or AB blood in Tokyo, you may not want to admit it, lest you be considered impulsive, even degenerate.
