Fri., Nov. 20, 2009 Market Moves: 88.77-88.80 yen/dollar [5 p.m. Fri.] Get a 7-day free trial now / ７日間無料試読

PHOTO NEWS

Sake made its way into the British Parliament on Wednesday as the House of Lords gave the opening of a new session a twist to commemorate a landmark anniversary of bilateral relations.

Full story >>

Ozawa faces fresh donations scandal

Ichiro Ozawa, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, faces fresh allegations of illegal donations after a source connected with an engineering firm tells prosecutors that ¥100 million in unreported contributions were made to one of his aides.

Hirano taps secret fund, remains mum

By JUN HONGO

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano says he withdrew ¥120 million from the Cabinet's secretive discretionary fund but would not disclose how, or if, he used it.

Masks fail virus-blocking claims

Most face masks claiming to cut exposure to viruses by 95 percent or more fall short of the mark, prompting the government to issue directives to suppliers.

TOKYO (6 a.m.)

10°C

Mostly cloudy

Humidity: 71%

Winds: N at 15 kph

Pressure: 1017 hpa

Total weather coverage >>

Japan Info Guide
Links for living in Japan

Language study

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

Upgrade your nihongo before the next proficiency test

Business

Business support in Tokyo for foreign affiliated firms

Guidance and info from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Transportation

Tokyo Transfer Guide

Metro resource for fares, travel time and transfers

Special Supplements

Wisdom of Entrepreneurs

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

Japanese Language School Directory

Check and compare what each school has to offer before you choose: directory of major Japanese schools in Tokyo, their features and class schedules.

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2010年度版が誕生！一部コンテンツをウェブで公開中。

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！

National Day Index

Celebrating the nations of the world

人材派遣特集

外資系企業で通訳者として働く派遣スタッフのインタビューを掲載！正社員よりも派遣社員として働くメリットとは？

International Reports

WER: Australia

Strengthening ties with the Japanese

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.

Real Estate Guide

Find apartment and homes that best suit your lifestyle, income and time frame in Japan.

The Japan Times Online Updates

Japan Times kicks off 54th charity drive: The Japan Times has begun its 54th yearend charity drive to raise money for The Japan Times Readers' Fund, which helps needy people in Asia. The campaign runs through Dec. 31. Click for more details.
Season's greetings: Make your season's greeting extra special by having it published in The Japan Times newspaper and online. Click for more details.
Shukan ST Digital Version: Read the digital version of Shukan ST in full color. Click for more information (in Japanese). 週刊STのデジタル版がスタートしました。デジタル版は全ページがカラーです。お申し込みはこちらから。

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.

Controversy mars France win over Irish

A hand ball by Thierry Henry helps France advance to its fourth consecutive World Cup.

NPB NOTEBOOK

War of words continues between Johjima, Nomura

By JASON COSKREY

TRACK AND FIELD

IAAF allows Semenya to retain gold medal

Time for a chat? At 10 p.m. (JST) Tuesday, November 24, you can talk with Mark Buckton about sumo. Click for more info.

SUNDAY FEATURES >>

WEEK 3

Will Segway sci-fi ever be everyday fact?

By EDAN CORKILL

When the Segway first appeared, in 2001, it seemed like science fiction had sprung to life. Quiet, compact, efficient, and utterly mesmerizing with its ability to self-balance on two wheels, the U.S.-made "personal mobility device" promised to revolutionize transportation as ...

WEEK 3

Panda-poop prof scoops Ig Nobel honor

By ERIKO ARITA

WEEK 3

Opening a 'window' to Japan

By TOMOKO OTAKE

RE:VIEW >>

'2012' star tells of being John Cusack

By GEORGE HADLEY-GARCIA

The year 2012, according to the ancient Mayas, is the year Earth destructs and a new cycle of life begins. (The Aztec and other pre-Columbian American calendars also held a cyclical view of the universe, sort of ...

FILM >>

Tsumuji Kaze Shokudo no Yoru

Hokkaido food for thought has a surrealistic side dish

Take a quaint European-looking restaurant in a quiet Hokkaido town in the dead of winter. Add quirky regulars who are treated to nightly disquisitions, philosophical and otherwise, by the avuncular owner of a local hat shop. Toss in scrumptious- looking ...

Loft

Five cheating men and a dead girl in the attic

2012 / Infestation

Back to sleep folks — it's only the end of the world, yet again

FOOD >>

A favorite chef's inspired return

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

Fantastic news: Restaurant J has returned. After a gap of over four years, one of our most talented chefs, Masahito Ueki, is back in action in Tokyo. ...

An early start for Japanese wines

By FELICITY HUGHES

A masterclass at the counter

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

TRAVEL >>

Shades of Greece on the Inland Sea

By MANDY BARTOK

The windmill is the first thing I notice, its delicate white blades gleaming against the cloud- flecked sky. Nearby, a semi-circle of polished Doric-style columns occupies prime position overlooking the glassy sea. As a breeze blows gently through olive trees ...

ART

MUSIC

Japan Info Guide Links for living in Japan

Special Supplements

International Reports

The Japan Times Online Updates

Controversy mars France win over Irish

War of words continues between Johjima, Nomura

IAAF allows Semenya to retain gold medal

Will Segway sci-fi ever be everyday fact?

Panda-poop prof scoops Ig Nobel honor

Opening a 'window' to Japan

'2012' star tells of being John Cusack

Hokkaido food for thought has a surrealistic side dish

Five cheating men and a dead girl in the attic

Back to sleep folks — it's only the end of the world, yet again

A favorite chef's inspired return

An early start for Japanese wines

A masterclass at the counter

Shades of Greece on the Inland Sea

Freedoms on the outer limit

The haunting beauty that is Yushima

Early modern home exhibited

Asian Performing Arts Festival has works from seven nations

Focus on arty Asian marvels at Tokyo's FILMeX festival

Christmas cooking in English

Zero Gravity

Noodles

Sake makes parliamentary debut in U.K.

Ichihashi lawyers slam interrogation methods

Panel slams JR West's crash-probe tampering

'Runaway sites' latest Net-based exploitation of young girls

Castle samurai ham for guests, dispatch trash

Slowly, secret U.S. nuke deals come to light

Reports on the upcoming COP15 in Copenhagen

Reports and practical info about the H1N1 influenza virus

American ups JAL ante to keep Delta at bay

Just 62.5% of '10 university grads offered jobs next spring: survey

Osaka governor unveils plan to scrap Itami airport in '35

Solid foundation for U.S., China

Expanding peacekeeping role

The difference is in the will to destroy a wall

Changes must go beyond Hague abduction treaty

Policy hurts Japanese nationals too

U.S. nuclear arms in Japan: a firsthand account

What are your thoughts on the arrest of Tatsuya Ichihashi?

Showbiz means to an end, not goal

Discount Comme de Garcons, thermo threads, extreme styles and bohemian flair

Ryokan owners Yoneko and Isao Sawa

In Tokyo, nothing is too good for your pet

Imperial treasures shown in full glory

What lies behind the eccentric?

Rediscovering Rebecca Horn

Tibet to Tokyo: alan takes flight

Musette delivers taste of France

Superchunk

Haimidori "Umuhito Umareruhito

Limited Express (has gone?): "LTD"

Keikaisen (guard ships)

Let's kensaku — searching the Web in Japanese

Pants-droppingly good rants

Crime worlds collide in Kowloon

No defense for policy born of prejudice

Notable memories and ones forgotten

Eco-tourism the camel-dive way

Nature's fears extend to online behavior

Egypt takes '.masr' domain

Ricoh snaps up a small first; Sharp's new mobile needs more memory

Trend for PCs is slimmer, no optical drives

Father-and-son drama, hommage to Date Masumune and a mysterious TV mystery

Movie JAL doesn't want you to see snubbed by media

A journey to Venice, eco-friendly toilets and special police drama

Japan's roundabout road issue

Japan Info Guide
Links for living in Japan