Wed., May 16, 2012 Market Moves: 80.38-80.40 yen/dollar [5 p.m. JST Wed.]

40 YEARS AFTER REVERSION

Forward-projected: U.S. Air Force Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, seen in March 2010, is a sprawling installation. KYODO PHOTO

Full story >>

Hotel where fire killed seven not up to code

Despite failing inspections for decades, no changes were ever made at the hotel where a fire killed seven Sunday, the city of Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, admits, adding the facility wasn't even up to code at the time of the first inspection in 1987.

Tepco halts dividends, so metro buses to run red ink

By MINORU MATSUTANI

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's bus operations, running in the black since 2003, probably lost money for the first time for fiscal 2011, and the major reason is the dividends from Tokyo Electric Power Co. shares have dried up.

Kansai power crunch just political rivalry?

By ERIC JOHNSTON

The confrontation between the central government and Kansai area leaders over the restart of two nuclear reactors in Oi, Fukui Prefecture, has more to do with the growing power struggle between Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda than with safety or objective attempts to determine how much electricity will be available this summer.

TOKYO (6 p.m.)

22°C

Partly sunny

Humidity: 68%

Winds: SSW at 28 kph

Pressure: 1001 hpa

Total weather coverage >>

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Japan Times Forum on Arab-Japan Relations

What can we do to further enhance the ties between Arab and Japan? Incisive analysis and advice from Arab ambassadors.

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If it's a rejuvenating getaway that you seek, you've chosen the right link to click.

帰国子女のための学校特集！

帰国生の学力を育み、伸ばしていける学校ガイド

Japan Times Events

The Japan Timesと「OZmall」とのコラボイベント『LiLiCo＆恋愛ムービーの英語パーティー★』が開催されました。

Career Development Special

時代は、新しい考え方、新しい働き方を模索している。そのような背景の中で個人がキャリアを考えるためのヒントとキャリアアップに役立つ学校紹介を掲載中！

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企業研修、スクール、セミナーの詳細はこちら

Japanese Language Schools where students gather from all over the world

ジャパンタイムズが勧める安心して学べる日本語学校特集

-Be a first-class interpreter or translator-

What does it take to be an effective interpreter or translator in any field? Find out here.

The Professionals

What drives a person to become a true professional in his or her field? We find out in this new series.

The University Times

いま求められるのはグローバル人材。「これからの世界と仕事」を考える、きっかけフリーペーパー。

Wisdom of Entrepreneurs

Learn about innovative strategies and successful business philosophies from Japanese executives in our series, Wisdom of Entrepreneurs

通訳・翻訳キャリアガイド・オンライン

通訳・翻訳業界の総合ガイドブック2012年度版が誕生！一部コンテンツをウェブで公開中。

Celebrating the world

Learn about foreign countries with our National Day specials and see which world leaders have visited Japan.

ジャパンタイムズの転職サイト

外資・グローバル企業の求人が満載。英語を活かして転職するならジャパンタイムズジョブ！

International Reports

Ready to expand your horizons and study in Japan?

Here's your resource for locating the educational institutions and curriculum best suited to you and your goals.

ビジネススキルを通学型で学ぶ

水道橋スクール開講中!!

詳しくはこちら ⇒

The Japan Times Online Updates

週刊ＳＴ、ジャパンタイムズウィークリーのデジタル版：iPhone / iPadでも閲覧が可能になりました。デジタル版は全ページがカラーです。
- 週刊ＳＴデジタル版の申し込み >>
- Weekly デジタル版の申し込み >>

Hotline to Nagatacho: Need to vent at the government? We'd like to read what you have to say. Click for more information about Hotline to Nagatacho.

Suzuki aiming higher following best season of career

By JACK GALLAGHER

The 27-year old native of Aichi Prefecture believes she can do even better, saying "that also motivates me to continue on with my skating."

BASKETBALL

Thunder crush fatigued Lakers

ICE HOCKEY

Rangers blank Devils in opener

SUNDAY FEATURES >>

SUNDAY TIMEOUT

What awaits Okinawa 40 years after reversion?

By JON MITCHELL

On May 15, 1972, Okinawa became a prefecture of Japan once again. Up until then, for 27 years since World War II — when the islands endured some of the most intense fighting of the entire brutal conflict — Okinawa ...

CLOSE-UP: Chanel president Japan, Richard Collasse

Richard Collasse: Sold on brand Japan

By ERIKO ARITA

SUNDAY TIMEOUT

Otosan, Japan's top dog

By EDAN CORKILL

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT >>

Alexander Payne's 'The Descendants' shows actor in a new light

Clooney comes of age as land and loves collide

By GEORGE HADLEY-GARCIA

Of all the descriptors actor George Clooney gets pegged with, "father" is not usually among them. Academy Award-winner? Sure. Activist? Yes. Sexiest Man Alive? You bet. It was his turn as a dad in "The Descendants" last year, however, that ...

FILM >>

'The Descendants'

Clooney endures paradise for his least comfortable role

By KAORI SHOJI

If you were an actor, middle-aged or older and looking to revamp your career, landing a role in an Alexander Payne movie could be just the thing. On the other hand, collaborating with the man who brought to the world ...

'Rentaneko (Rent-a-Cat)'

Warm humor within a whisker of loneliness

By MARK SCHILLING

'Bad Teacher'

There's something about Diaz and gross-out gags

By GIOVANNI FAZIO

Filmmaker says don't worry, be happy

By MADS BERTHELSEN

FOOD >>

How I learned to stop worrying and love the shochu

By MELINDA JOE

Nearly 10 years ago, shōchū was all the rage in Japan. In 2004, shipments reached an all-time high, and producers were struggling to keep up with the exploding market. Everyone was drinking it — everyone, it seems, but me. ...

Mandarin Oriental stands by Japan produce

By MELINDA JOE

Savor the subtle spice of South Indian cuisine

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

TRAVEL >>

Getting away from it all on Aguni

By HILLEL WRIGHT

Robert Burns, the hard-living 18th-century Scottish poet, lyricist and culture hero who died aged 37 in 1796, is one of the most oft-quoted writers with roots in the British Isles. ...

A postcard from Kauai's 'South Pacific' paradise

By SALLY KIKUCHI

Foxtrotting around Asukayama

By KIT NAGAMURA

EVENTS >>

Entertainers to hit the streets

By TOMOHIRO OSAKI

For moms in Osaka, a family getaway to Midosuji Boulevard may turn out to be a pretty good gift this Mother's Day weekend. Expect plenty of fun when the area holds its annual festival. ...

Tao goes back to Japan's roots for new shows

By TOMOHIRO OSAKI

Artist to mix sights, sounds

By MADS BERTHELSEN

Global photo organization to open Tokyo chapter with 3/11 event

By MADS BERTHELSEN

HOTELS & RESTAURANTS >>

Sumida ferry accommodation plan

The pick of this week's specials at Japan's hotels and restaurants.

CARTOONS >>

Zero Gravity

By ROGER DAHL

Noodles

By GWEN MURANAKA

BLOGS >>

Rediscovering Japan’s ‘lost generation’ and Tokyo Beatles

Japanese laws make abortion an economic issue

Pulsations (05.10.12)

JAL builds a social media campaign, one block at a time

Diaper manufacturers get them coming and going

Bus driver salaries inversely proportional to risk involved

NATIONAL NEWS >>

Okinawa marks 40th anniversary

College grad job situation improves

Kansai braces for summer heat without reactors

By ERIC JOHNSTON

Japan unlikely to land Watson despite arrest in Germany

By MINORU MATSUTANI

NISA, Tepco knew in '06 of Fukushima tsunami threat

Pushing back, Fukui governor calls for clear nuclear policy

NEWS FEATURES >>

U.S. defense shift keeps Okinawa in strategic mix

By MASAMI ITO

Economic reliance on bases won't last, trends suggest

By JUN HONGO

40 years after return, Okinawa still struggling to grow up

By JUN HONGO

BUSINESS NEWS>>

Sony, Panasonic eye OEL TV tieup to weather rivalries

Mixi founder seen set to unload stake

By HIROKO NAKATA

China calls off Yang-Yonekura talks

Hands-free scooting from Honda

Abolishing 'kosei nenkin kikin' an option

OPINION - EDITORIAL>>

The corruption and hypocrisy of China's Communist Party

Is Europe on a cross of gold?

Tax hike plan merits more scrutiny

Shaky resolve on North Korea

Lords' reform creating tension in U.K. coalition

Internet age renders obsolete U.S. view of China

Putting to rest five myths about gay marriage

COMMUNITY >>

HAVE YOUR SAY

Readers vent over 'Bread and becquerels'

LIFELINES

Name on deeds shouldn't affect divorce asset split

By MASAKO SUZUKI

LIFELINES: LABOR PAINS

Supreme Court knocks down discipline of mentally ill employee

By HIFUMI OKUNUKI

VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Fujisawa: How has the Fukushima nuclear disaster changed your life?

By CHARLES LEWIS

WHO'S WHO

Olympus fiasco was 'lost opportunity'

By MAMI MARUKO

LIFE IN JAPAN

Filmmaker savors being in situation where threat of the unknown looms

By KRIS KOSAKA

JAPAN LITE

Can Japan's countryside be saved from the edge of extinction?

By AMY CHAVEZ

LIFE & STYLE >>

The women who get go

By DANIEL KRIEGER

With 'world's largest public toilet' Ichihara City ensures its nature doesn't go down the pan

By TOMOHIRO OSAKI

Issey Miyake's innovations beat the Brits to win the Design Museum of London fashion award

By MISHA JANETTE and SAMUEL THOMAS

ART >>

ART

STAGE

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	通訳・翻訳業界の総合ガイドブック2012年度版が誕生！一部のコンテンツをウェブで公開中。

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Special Supplements

International Reports

ビジネススキルを通学型で学ぶ

The Japan Times Online Updates

Suzuki aiming higher following best season of career

Thunder crush fatigued Lakers

Rangers blank Devils in opener

What awaits Okinawa 40 years after reversion?

Richard Collasse: Sold on brand Japan

Otosan, Japan's top dog

Clooney comes of age as land and loves collide

Clooney endures paradise for his least comfortable role

Warm humor within a whisker of loneliness

There's something about Diaz and gross-out gags

Filmmaker says don't worry, be happy

How I learned to stop worrying and love the shochu

Mandarin Oriental stands by Japan produce

Savor the subtle spice of South Indian cuisine

Getting away from it all on Aguni

A postcard from Kauai's 'South Pacific' paradise

Foxtrotting around Asukayama

Entertainers to hit the streets

Tao goes back to Japan's roots for new shows

Artist to mix sights, sounds

Global photo organization to open Tokyo chapter with 3/11 event

Sumida ferry accommodation plan

Zero Gravity

Noodles

Okinawa marks 40th anniversary

College grad job situation improves

Kansai braces for summer heat without reactors

Japan unlikely to land Watson despite arrest in Germany

NISA, Tepco knew in '06 of Fukushima tsunami threat

Pushing back, Fukui governor calls for clear nuclear policy

U.S. defense shift keeps Okinawa in strategic mix

Economic reliance on bases won't last, trends suggest

40 years after return, Okinawa still struggling to grow up

Sony, Panasonic eye OEL TV tieup to weather rivalries

Mixi founder seen set to unload stake

China calls off Yang-Yonekura talks

Hands-free scooting from Honda

Abolishing 'kosei nenkin kikin' an option

The corruption and hypocrisy of China's Communist Party

Is Europe on a cross of gold?

Tax hike plan merits more scrutiny

Shaky resolve on North Korea

Lords' reform creating tension in U.K. coalition

Internet age renders obsolete U.S. view of China

Putting to rest five myths about gay marriage

Readers vent over 'Bread and becquerels'

Name on deeds shouldn't affect divorce asset split

Supreme Court knocks down discipline of mentally ill employee

Fujisawa: How has the Fukushima nuclear disaster changed your life?

Olympus fiasco was 'lost opportunity'

Filmmaker savors being in situation where threat of the unknown looms

Can Japan's countryside be saved from the edge of extinction?

The women who get go

With 'world's largest public toilet' Ichihara City ensures its nature doesn't go down the pan

Issey Miyake's innovations beat the Brits to win the Design Museum of London fashion award

Makoto Morimura literally finds hope in the news

After flower-vase success, former D-Bros designers set to blossom

In celebration of the spirited culture of northern Japan

Shakespeare's Globe hails a Japanese 'Coriolanus'

Different strokes for the current folk

group_inou

And Vice Versa "E.Tender"

Taffy sets its sights on success abroad

Kura

How living can kill you, and other inconvenient truths

A chart-topper for J-Pop fans

Tokugawa: the art of governing

Japan's modern haiku master

Though spooked by new threats, Japanese accept mass killers

Small fry spawn big dreams

Japan's social-gaming industry hindered by government's anti-gambling move

Tokyo Green Space

This summer, take your gadgets camping, too

Japan's gamers are starting to shoot 'em up

Beware not the loud girls, but the plain ones

'Where are they now' special; celebrities battle it out; CM of the week: Tokyo Gas