SCHEDULE

Last updated on January 12, 2022

DATE CONTENT Handouts STEP 1: Preparation STEPS 3 & 4: Evaluation and Term Paper Writing
Deadline for Sending E-mail to Mr. Shimura for Your OPs Deadline for Sending 1st Handouts to Mr. Shimura Objective Evaluation Term Paper
10/1 1. Introduction to This Course
 pp. 0, 1-2
10/6 1 Review: Class #1
2. Lecture: Newspaper English, I
3. Lecture: Longer Presentation, I
4. Scheduling P#1s
 pp. 1-10 Saito, Akagawa
10/8 1. Review: Class #2
2. Lecture: Newspaper English, II
3. Lecture: Longer Presentation, II		 Yahagi, Hijikata, Onuma
10/13 1. Review: Class #3
2. Lecture: Longer Presentation, III
3. Preparation for First P#1s by Saito and Akagawa		 Hori, Sato, Aoi Saito, Akagawa (by 10/12)
10/15 1. Review: Class #4
2. P#1s:
(1) Saito (N): "COVID-19 tracker: Tokyo logs 149 new cases, dipping below 200 for fifth straight day," The Japan Times Online, October 6, 2021.
(2) Akagawa (S): "Japan's Yuto Horigome wins first skateboarding gold in Olympic history," The Japan Times Online, July 25, 2021.
3. Preparation for P#1s by Yahagi, Hijikata, and Onuma		 Sho, Kaburaki, Dai Maeda, Tokoi Yahagi, Hijikata, Onuma (by 10/14)
10/20 1. Review: Class #5
2. P#1s:
(1) Yahagi (N): "Japan's new Digital Agency prepares for daunting task of overhauling tech policy," The Japan Times, August 30, 2021.
(2) Hijikata (N): "The true cost of the climate crisis on Japan," The Japan Times Online, January 16, 2021.
(3) Onuma (N/B): "UberEats Japan halts hiring of foregin students for food delivery," the Japan Times, September 2, 2021.
3. Lecture: Term Paper Writing
4. Preparation for P#1s by Hori, Sato, and Aoi		 Kota T., Ono Hori, Sato, Aoi (by 10/19) Saito, Akagawa
10/22 1. Review: Class #6
2. P#1s:
(1) Hori (N/S): "Japan's Samurai Blue in higher gear for China clash, says manager Hajime Moriyasu," The Japan Times, September 7, 2021.
(2) Sato (N): "How COVID-19 is forcing us to re-examine food waste," The Japan Times, Jan 30, 2021
(3) Aoi (N): "Every roof in Japan could have solar panels in the future," The Japan Times, July 7, 2021.
3. Preparation for P#1s by Sho, Kaburaki, Maeda, and Tokoi
 Emura, Takuto Maeda, Taniguchi, Uesu Sho, Kaburaki, Dai Maeda, Tokoi (by 10/21) Yahagi, Hijikata, Onuma
10/27 1. Review: Class #7
2. P#1s:
(1) Sho (S): "Japan women shock undefeated U.S. in Olympic 3x3 basketball pool round," The Japan Times, July 27, 2021.
(2) Kaburaki (S): "Djokovic continues dominance over Kei Nishikori at U.S. Open," The Japan Times, September 5, 2021.
(3) Dai Maeda (S): "Mone Inami claims first golf medal for Japan as American Nelly Korda wins gold," The Japan Times, August 7, 2021.
(4) Tokoi (N): "Koichi Sugiyama, Japanese composer of Dragon Quest, dies at 90,"
The Japan Times, October 7, 2021.
3. Preparation for P#1s by Takahashi and Ono
 Shun T., Fuchino, Takayama, Miyamoto Kota T., Ono (by 10/26) Hori, Sato, Aoi Saito, Akagawa
10/29 1. P#1s:
(1) Kota T. (S): "Unearthing Japa's home-grown solutions to urban greening," The Japan Times, Mar 27, 2021.
(2) Ono (S): "Shohei Ohtani named Basball Digest's MLB Player of the Year," The Japan Times Online, October 8, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#1s
3. Lecture: Introduction to P#2s
4. Discussion: Scheduling P#2s
 Kinoshita, Sasaki, Yasui, Uramoto Emura, Takuto Maeda, Taniguchi, Uesu (by 10/28) Sho, Kaburaki, Dai Maeda, Tokoi Yahagi, Hijikata, Onuma
11/3 1. P#1s:
(1) Emura (S): "Rui Hachiura's Wizards stave off elimination against 76ers," The Japan Times, June 1, 2021.
(2) Takuto Maeda (N/B): ''Japan's average gas price reaches ¥160 for first time in three years,'' The Japan times, October 6 2021.
(3) Taniguchi (N): "Japan visitors down 99.2% in September from 2019 due to border controls," The Japan Times, October 20, 2021.
(4) Uesu (N): "To secure a green future, Japan must reckon with its nuclear past," The Japan Times, March 8, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#1s
Irie, Uchida (for P#1s)
Saito, Hijikata (for P#2s)		 Shun T., Fuchino, Takayama, Miyamoto(by 11/2) Kota T., Ono Hori, Sato, Aoi
11/5 1. P#1s:
(1) Shun Takahashi (N): ''Japan's virus wave shows just how far digitalization of schools still has to go,'' The Japan Times, September 15, 2021.
(2) Fuchino (N): "Online study abroad programs attracting attention amid pandemic," The Japan Times, May 13, 2021
(3) Takayama (N): "37% of Tokyo minors involved in police cases linked to pot say cannabis is not harmful," The Japan times, August 21, 2021.
(4) Miyamoto (N/S): "Tokyo Metro to open esports gym," The Japan Times, May 6, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#1s 		Kota, Akagawa, Onuma Kinoshita, Sasaki, Yasui, Uramoto (by 11/4) Emura, Takuto Maeda, Taniguchi, Uesu Sho, Kaburaki, Dai Maeda, Tokoi
11/10 1. P#1s:
(1) Kinoshita (): Topic not selected. HO not submitted. P1 canceled.
(2) Sasaki (N): "Japan's government slammed over stockpile of 82 milion unused 'Abenomasks'," The Japan Times, October 27, 2021.
(3) Yasui (N/B): "Japan's retail sales beat estimates as shoppers defy virus fears," October 28, 2021.
(4) Uramoto (N): "Around 450 million cyberattacks blocked during Tokyo Games," The Japan Times, October 5, 2021.
2. Preparation for Last P#1s 		Kaburaki, Tokoi, Ono Irie, Uchida (by 11/9) Shun T., Fuchino, Takayama, Miyamoto Kota T., Ono
11/12 1. Last P#1s:
(1) Irie (N/B): "Japan-Europe collaboration eyed to promote offshore wind power,"
The Japan Times, May 1, 2021.
(2) Uchida (N/B): "Sony lifts operating profit outlook to ￥1 trillion on firm movie sales," October 28, 2021.
2. Preparation for First P#2s by Saito and Hijikata
Yasui, Dai M., Hori Saito, Hijikata (by 11/11) Kinoshita, Sasaki, Yasui, Uramoto Emura, Takuto Maeda, Taniguchi, Uesu
12/1 1. OP#2s
(1) Saito (N): "Japan has lowest share of women studying science: OECD report," The Japan Times, October 9, 2021. 
(2) Hijikata (N): "Voter apathy looms over yet another election in Japan," The Japan Times, October 29, 2021
2. Preparation for P#2s		 Taniguchi, Shun T., Yahagi Kota, Akagawa, Onuma (by 11/30) Irie Shun T., Fuchino,Takayama, Miyamoto
12/3 1. OP#2s
(1) Kota T. (N): "Privacy or rehabilitation ? How criminal records treated in Japan," The Japan Times, March 25, 2021.
(2) Akagawa (N): "Kishida says Japan to start third COVID-19 vaccine shots in December," The Japan Times, October 12, 2021.
(3) Onuma (N/B): "JR Central halts works on maglev tunnel after fatal incident," The Japan Times, October 29, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s		 Emura, Takuto M., Sho Kaburaki, Tokoi, Ono (by 12/2) Saito, Hijikata Sasaki, Yasui, Uramoto
12/8 1. OP#2s
(1) Kaburaki (N): "Japan eyes ¥100,000 cash handout for children aged 18 or younger, " The Japan Times, November 6, 2021.
(2) Tokoi (N/B): "Japan's restaurants seeing slow recovery two weeks after COVID-19 curbs lifted,". November 7, 2021  The Japan Times, November 7, 2021.
(3) Ono (N): "Japan goverment to train desaster volunteers," The Japan Times, October 13, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s		 Uesu, Sato, Aoi Yasui, Dai M., Hori (by 12/7) Kota, Akagawa, Onuma Irie
12/10 1. OP#2s
(1) Yasui (N): "Japan's 10-year cancer survival rate continues uptrend, rising to 58.9%," November 11, 2021
(2) Daisuke M. (N/B): "Popularity of car subscription services on the rise among younger drivers," The Japan Times, October 7, 2021.
(3) Hori (N): "Hiroshima government office reverses course on anti-smoking measures," The Japan Tiems, September 6, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s .		 Sasaki, Miyamoto, Fuchino Taniguchi, Shunsuke T., Yahagi (by 12/9) Kaburaki, Tokoi, Ono
12/15 1. OP#2s
(1) Taniguch (N): "Japan confirms first case of omicron coronavirus variant," The Japan Times, November 30, 2021.
(2) Shun T. (N): "In major shift, Japan looks to allow more foreign workers to stay indefinitely," The Japan Times, November 18, 2021.
(3) Yahagi (N): "New law to require shops in Japan to reduce use of 12 plastics products," The Japan Times, August 23, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s 		Irie, Uramoto, Takayama Emura, Takuto M., Sho (by 12/14) Yasui, Dai M., Hori
12/17 1. OP#2s
(1) Emura (N/B): "Wood shortage and soaring prices threaten lumber industry in Japan," The Japan Times, June 6, 2021.
(2) Takuto M. (N): "Pandemic gives extra momentum to cashless drive in Japan," The Japan Times, February 22, 2021.
(3) Sho (N): "Japan's Go To Travel subsidy program to resume possibly in February," The Japan Times, November 11, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s 		Uesu, Sato, Aoi (by 12/16) Taniguchi, Shunsuke T., Yahagi
12/22 1. OP#2s
(1) Uesu (N/B): "In unusual move, tobacco-maker requests higher tax on cigarettes," The Japan Times, November 4, 2021.
(2) Sato (B): "Toyota chooses North Carolina for first U.S. battery plant," The Japan Times, December 7, 2021.
(3) Aoi (N): "NFT interest growing in Japan, but legal worries persist," The Japan Times, June 8, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s 		Sasaki, Miyamoto, Fuchino (by 12/21) Emura, Takuto M., Sho
12/24 1. OP#2s
(1) Sasaki (N): "Local governments in Japan helping elderly people learn how to use smartphones," The Japan Times , November 20, 2021.
(2) Miyamoto (N): "Right of foreigners to vote," The Japan Times, December 10, 2021.
(3) Fuchino (N): "Japan's food exports to top ¥1 trillion in 2021," The Japan Times, December 2, 2021.
2. Preparation for P#2s
Irie, Uramoto, Takayama (12/23) Uesu, Sato, Aoi
1/12 1. OP#2s
(1) Irie (N): "Eco-friendly New Year's postcards go on sale in Japan," The Japan Times, November 11, 2021.
(2) Uramoto (N): "Japanese startup detects pancreatic cancer using roundworms," The Japan Times, November 16, 2021.
(3) Takayama (N): "Casino takes top billing, but Yokohama mayoral election may offer hints to Suga's fate," The Japan Times, August 8, 2021.
2. Last Preparation for P#2
 Sasaki, Miyamoto, Fuchino
1/14 Backup Day for PPD P#2s Irie, Uramoto, Takayama
1/19 Deadline for Term Paper #2s    ALL TP2 DUE
1/21  
NOTES on Abbreviations:
N = National, B = Business, O = Opinion, S = Sports, TBA = To Be Arranged, PPD = Postponed