A few pictures from a business trip I did a while ago. How long ago? The guy in the last picture sports a woolen muffler, that's how lon...

I've mentioned the worldwide drop in violence previously, and I've occasionally touched on the role of media in distorting the perc...

So far typhoon #12 has caused 17 deaths, 54 people are missing and thousands are evacuated after heavy floods. Most of the deaths are  from...

The next political punching bag Finance Ministry handpuppet DPJ party president and Prime minister of Japan is Yoshihiko Noda . He is Fina...

A few Monday morning notes, in no particular order: I know paper reviews are simply reviewing your paper, not your work or yourself. Tha...

Question:     Japanese governments are typically weak, squeezed as they are between internal party politics — politicians are less loyal to...

We celebrated my birthday recently, and as usual we went out to eat together. A birthday is a good excuse to try something new, so we tend t...

A total of seven power utilities in Japan have ordered their employees to attend public nuclear power-related hearings and symposia and pos...

I'm finally seeing the end of a marathon paper writing process ­— not the end, mind you, but at least there is an end in sight. Meanwhil...

The hot, sunny weather we've had lately suddenly turned rainy and cool (well, not quite as hot is more like it). The reason? Typhoon #6....

It's been over 35° here lately, and energy saving is on everybody's mind. A piece in yesterday mornings Asahi Shimbun (can't fin...

I'm back home. The cold I got a few days ago has not relented; no more fever and the throat isn't sore any more but now I drag aroun...

Cold, in more than one way. The venue - Seaside House - is very enthusiastic about its state of the art air conditioning. As a result I'...

Our trip to the Yaeyama islands, in pictures. The weather wasn't great - usually cloudy and occasional rain - so we didn't get any b...

In the end, Ozawa withdrew his support for the no-confidence motion. Without his support it stood no chance; the motion was defeated 293-152...

The opposition parties have submitted a no-confidence motion against the government. By itself it's kind of a pointless gesture, and a b...

Tsuyu - the rainy season - has arrived in Kansai. It's early; it normally starts around the second week of June. Also, Okinawa is expect...

Not so Cool Biz. A recurring feature here every summer lately is "Cool Biz"; a campaign to limit air conditioner use in offices...