When was The Japan Times founded?
The Japan Times was launched on the 22nd of March 1897. Its founding goal was to give Japanese people the opportunity to read and discuss news in English, helping Japan participate in the international community.
Questions about The Japan Times
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was The Japan Times called during World War II?
The Japan Times was renamed Nippon Times from 1943 to 1956 due to a wartime ban on English-language sentiment in Japan. Before that, it was called The Japan Times and Advertiser (1940-1943) following its merger with The Japan Advertiser, and The Japan Times and Mail (1918-1940) after merging with The Japan Mail.
Who owns The Japan Times?
The Japan Times is owned by News2u Holdings, Inc., a public relations firm that purchased the paper on the 30th of June 2017 from Nifco, a manufacturer of automotive fasteners.
What controversy did The Japan Times face in 2018?
In November 2018, The Japan Times changed its terminology around wartime labor and comfort women, replacing previously used phrases with new language critics said softened historical descriptions. The changes drew accusations that the paper was aligning with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's political positions. On the 7th of December 2018, the paper apologized, saying the editorial note had undermined trust with readers, reporters, and staff.
What notable contributors have written for The Japan Times?
Ezra Pound served as an Italian correspondent, and Donald Richie wrote on books and film. Edward Seidensticker, a prominent translator of Japanese literature, also contributed. Mark Brazil wrote the Wild Watch nature column from 1982 to 2015.
How is The Japan Times distributed in print today?
Since the 16th of October 2013, The Japan Times has been printed and sold alongside The New York Times International Edition. The paper publishes a daily broadsheet, a weekly edition in tabloid form, and a bilingual weekly called The Japan Times Alpha.