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Tag - the-new-normal

 
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July 24, 2026
 

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THE NEW NORMAL

A nurse prepares to test people at a COVID-19 testing facility in in Auckland, New Zealand, on Aug. 13, 2020
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 10, 2026
New Zealand COVID-19 curbs saved lives but brought social and fiscal costs
The Royal Commission made 24 recommendations for improving preparedness for future pandemics, including assessments of fiscal resilience and clearer decision-making during crises.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Swastika Jajoo (fourth from right) began attending the daily radio calisthenics routine at Sendai¡¯s Kitasanbancho Park and struck up unexpected friendships with a group of elderly residents.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Sep 15, 2025
Calisthenic companions bridge cultures and generations
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a doctoral student in Sendai found friendship in unexpected places.
Yarn shortages are a sign that hobbies like knitting and crochet are gaining in popularity.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Mar 4, 2025
¡®Granny hobbies¡¯ are the new self-care
Pastimes long associated with Japanese grandparents are booming on social media as young people look for new (old) ways to relax.
A survey showed the use of terminal care and attended deaths at home kept increasing after surging in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Sep 11, 2024
Terminal care at home surged in Japan during COVID-19 pandemic
Cases of terminal care at home grew for clinics certified to meet standards for supporting home care, such as having doctors available to make house visits.
Students receive school lunch at Senju Aoba Junior High School in Tokyo in June 2022.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jun 17, 2024
Obesity increased among children in Japan during pandemic
The study analyzed the health checkup data of about 186,000 people who graduated from junior high school between fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2022.
Cold medicine packages at a drug store. Japan has faced unseasonal and larger-than-usual outbreaks of infectious diseases over the past year after the COVID-19's downgrade to the same level as flu.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 7, 2024
Anti-infection measures still needed, one year after COVID-19 downgrade
Despite the drop in COVID-19 cases, childhood infectious diseases and the flu have spread in the country over the past year.
On May 2, the streets of Arashiyama, a well-known tourist destination in Kyoto, were filled with tourists, including many from abroad, ahead of the four-day weekend.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
May 6, 2024
Excitement returns to tourist spots in Japan one year on
Medical institutions have remained on alert for a possible spread of infections, including during the Golden Week holiday period.
Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
LIFE / Travel / Longform
Apr 15, 2024
For Japan¡¯s oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on
After a five-year absence, kabuki has returned to Kotohira. Can it be the draw that this tourism-hungry town desires?
Mori Building's Azabudai Hills complex in Tokyo's Minato Ward, which will house offices, shops, apartments, hotels and a school, is set to open in November
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 2, 2023
While Manhattan¡¯s offices stay empty, Tokyo keeps building
Remote working has decimated offices in cities like New York and London. But Tokyo¡¯s workspaces have bounced back, also thanks to new builds.
A woman carries food to customers at a Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 27, 2023
Hong Kong turns to tycoons to get party scene back on track
The government is urging major property groups to help boost the nighttime economy via drink coupons, free events and later shopping hours.
A woman stands on one side of the wall texting in front of a nightclub while, on the other side of the wall, a man works in an izakaya.
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 24, 2023
One night out in Tokyo
As the last trains leave the central hubs of Shinjuku and Shibuya for the suburbs, much of the city heads home. However, Tokyo never sleeps.
An Air Koryo plane is reflected in a glass structure of the airport in Pyongyang in April 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 22, 2023
North Korea sees first passenger flight in three years
An Air Koryo flight from Pyongyang landed in Beijing early Tuesday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns began in 2020.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Longform
Jul 17, 2023
After last train in Tokyo, a second city comes to life
Partying tourists, a busy fish market and and global businesses all play a part in a world most of us sleep through.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 11, 2023
Pandemic causes developmental delays in 5-year-olds: research
In?contrast, 3-year-olds showed no obvious delays, possibly indicating more time to communicate with guardians who by then worked from home.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 4, 2023
North Korea appears to lift COVID mask mandate, reports say
The isolated country has maintained border lockdowns and other anti-COVID measures long after most other nations ditched such restrictions.
BUSINESS
Jul 4, 2023
Return of tourists drives shift in Japan¡¯s top-selling goods in 2023
Increased sales of cosmetics and certain health goods, combined with declines for pandemic-related products, highlight the return of tourists and Japan¡¯s shift toward a post-COVID era.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 28, 2023
Japan¡¯s next flu season may begin two months earlier than usual
People¡¯s immunity to influenza declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relaxation of infection prevention measures, such as wearing masks, has allowed the virus to spread.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 16, 2023
Remote work revolution becomes tug-of-war between bosses and fed-up staff
While workers don¡¯t want to give up flexibility, leaders want teams back to boost collaboration and avoid a productivity slump.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 1, 2023
COVID lockdowns really did mess with our memories
Researchers have found that some who had lived under pandemic-era lockdowns exhibited distorted time perception similar to that seen in prisoners.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
May 12, 2023
Japan¡¯s imperial couple host first garden party in over four years
It was the first garden party to be held since the emperor ascended the throne in 2019.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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