Sat., Feb. 4, 2012 Market Moves: 76.18-76.19 yen/dollar [5 p.m. JST Fri.]

ANALYSIS

2011 — a year electronics makers want to forget

Major domestic electronics makers have had a rough year, with many this week projecting massive group net losses for the year to March because of the strong yen, natural disasters at home and abroad, and the sputtering global economy.

Full story >>

Record lows recorded at 38 locations

By MIZUHO AOKI

The country experiences severe cold weather and temperatures drop to record lows at 38 locations nationwide.

Manabe denies he intended to sway voters

By MASAMI ITO

The Defense Ministry's Okinawa bureau chief denies trying to sway the way ministry officials and their relatives may vote in Ginowan's mayoral election or encouraging them to support a specific candidate, but admits his actions could be construed as unlawful.

Panasonic expects to book record ¥780 billion net loss

Panasonic forecasts a record net loss of ¥780 billion for the current year, becoming the latest consumer electronics giant to predict declining earnings due to the strong yen, a slowing global economy and natural disasters.

TOKYO (10 a.m.)

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Clear

Humidity: 59%

Winds: W at 7 kph

Pressure: 1016 hpa

Total weather coverage >>

Special Supplements

Japan Times Forum on Smart Cities

Smart-city concept offers solutions to global problems

Global Career Viewpoint

Study in Japan, Work around the World

The Professionals

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

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

No.1 Travel

The latest deals on international airfares

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.

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 >>
Japan in focus: Have photos of Japan that you'd like to show off? It's a snap to have them published in Weekend Scene's Pixel Pictures of Japan. Click for more information

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.

Gronkowski back at practice

The All-Pro tight end practiced on a limited basis for the first time since being injured in the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game.

ICE HOCKEY

Gagner joins elite company with eight-point outburst

BASKETBALL

Rose puts on show at MSG

SUNDAY FEATURES >>

SUNDAY TIMEOUT

Tsunami lessons for Tohoku from Tamil Nadu

By JEFF KINGSTON

On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive tsunami blasted across the Indian Ocean, cutting a swath of destruction through communities in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India that claimed a staggering 230,000 lives. ...

SUNDAY TIMEOUT

Cultural treasures for all to see

By JEFF KINGSTON

SUNDAY TIMEOUT

Fukushima casts a shadow over India's industrial boom

By JEFF KINGSTON

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT >>

Film shows FBI chief 'as a man and a myth'

DiCaprio visits America's dark past in 'J. Edgar'

By GEORGE HADLEY-GARCIA

Leonardo DiCaprio admits that he didn't hear much about the famously feared J. Edgar Hoover while he was growing up. That doesn't stop him from making an astute observation: "The man was a troll." ...

FILM >>

'Shinobido (Shinobido — Way of the Ninja)'

Ninja and samurai need love like a sword in the guts

By MARK SCHILLING

Ninja movies come with certain expectations, especially in the West. One is for action of the fantastic sort, with the ninja performing feats impossible to real human beings without assists from wires or CGI. Another is that, dramatically, they will ...

'The Hunter' / 'Poetry'

What happens when the 'right' thing isn't right after all?

By GIOVANNI FAZIO

'Machine Gun Preacher'

The man who hoed his row (and then some)

By KAORI SHOJI

FOOD >>

Botan: Put a little sukiyaki fire in your belly

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

On one side of the battered shōji screen with its panels of flimsy washi paper, the sleet and biting wind. On the other, a small old-fashioned hibachi brazier, its coals glowing softly. There's no contest: At Botan, the charcoal wins ...

Kanda is crammed with revered restaurants

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

Restaurant full? Head to code kurkku's bar instead

By ROBBIE SWINNERTON

TRAVEL >>

Fish tales of Tsukiji

By KIT NAGAMURA

Streets are bathed in indigo hues when I emerge from the Hibiya subway line's Tsukiji Station, heading for Tsukiji Oroshiuri Shijo which, though its name translates simply as "Tsukiji Wholesale Market," is actually the world's largest fish market. At 6 ...

Turning to Okinawa and its rituals in search of a happier new year

By HILLEL WRIGHT

Call of the powder: sublime snow in Japan

By JEFF KINGSTON

Special report on Amazing Kanagawa:
The highlights of Hakone

EVENTS >>

Figurines become art at event

By ERIKO ARITA

The skills involved in making handmade figures of anime characters inspire a respect on par to that of the traditional arts. The craftsmanship, artistic sense and passion surrounding the hobby are qualities that attract people from around the world. ...

Osaka: What do you think of the new mayor, Toru Hashimoto, and his plan to merge the Osaka city and prefectural governments?

By RAY FRANKLIN

WHO'S WHO

ART

MUSIC

Special Supplements

International Reports

The Japan Times Online Updates

Gronkowski back at practice

Gagner joins elite company with eight-point outburst

Rose puts on show at MSG

Tsunami lessons for Tohoku from Tamil Nadu

Cultural treasures for all to see

Fukushima casts a shadow over India's industrial boom

DiCaprio visits America's dark past in 'J. Edgar'

Ninja and samurai need love like a sword in the guts

What happens when the 'right' thing isn't right after all?

The man who hoed his row (and then some)

Botan: Put a little sukiyaki fire in your belly

Kanda is crammed with revered restaurants

Restaurant full? Head to code kurkku's bar instead

Fish tales of Tsukiji

Turning to Okinawa and its rituals in search of a happier new year

Call of the powder: sublime snow in Japan

Figurines become art at event

Ice sculptures, snow slides at Hokkaido fest

Kyoto theater troupe combines Japanese novels for newest production

Hilton Osaka offers Valentine's menu

Zero Gravity

Noodles

Ukiyo-e prints inside Costa shipwreck

In Okinawa, meddling seen as nothing new

Fourth extra budget easily clears Lower House

70% of ports and airports not checked, survey finds

Cellphone taps resulted in 22 arrests last year

Genba, U.S. huddle anew over '06 base pact

Scientists say contamination of ocean fish minimal so far

How far can Hashimoto ride wave?

Genba meets AKB48 China envoys

FTC starts second merger screening

2011 — a year electronics makers want to forget

NHK to sell relay stations to Softbank

Threat of intervention as yen rises

Elpida to map out rehab by March

State of the Union: campaign time

The political hygienists' assault on free speech

Return of Kitanoumi

Exam forces students to cram irrelevant facts

Discussing future tax and pension

Let economic impetus drive a deal in territorial dispute

Fed targets and transparency

Craft beer connoisseur knows his suds

Valentine's Day — the perfect holiday for one

Facing up to alcoholism in foreign land can help or hinder recovery

International vs. Japanese school: Which is top of class for mixed kids?

Osaka: What do you think of the new mayor, Toru Hashimoto, and his plan to merge the Osaka city and prefectural governments?

Culture ensnares Czech Japanophile

A winter's tale: cold homes, poor lives in wealthy Japan

Ideas of note

Tsutaya's newest media center suits silver market to a T

A backward glance to see the future

The rootless woodblock prints of Kuniyoshi

A contemporary mix of nihonga and manga

Retaining a 'Japaneseness' in Western style art

Warner's Ishizaka says 'exterminate' illegal downloads

Tokyo Jihen "Color Bars"

Sekaitekina Band "Sekaitekina Band"

The Creams "Panache"

Best of 2011: Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band "Sector b"

Japanese films offer some memorable one-liners

It's Murphy's Law if you don't get the joke in Japanese

Behavioral patterns in the male

Gallant cop, reporter on quest hit right notes

Fresh light on history books

Naha gardens within a garden

Changing self and systems for a leaner and greener Japan

Despite first loss in 30 years, Nintendo is still a contender

Sony and Fujitsu take Japan into the battle for global smartphone dominance

'Stealth marketing' by companies is polluting online forums

Cyborg teddy bears, telephonic androids, USB missiles set to stun

Unconventional thinking is the way forward for Japan

'Stepfather Step'; 'Kiruto no Ie'; CM of the week: Nichii Gakkan

Disaster adds tension to year-in-the-life TV

Japan needs a little Cuban-style happiness