Yoko Hani - The Japan Times

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Yoko Hani

JAPAN

May 4, 2001

Todai chief laments decline in academic standards

Japan may lose out in the international arena, especially in scientific and technological research, if no appropriate steps are taken to stem the decline in Japanese university students' academic abilities, warns the new president of the prestigious University of Tokyo.

JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW

May 2, 2001

Toyama sticks by controversial textbook

Newly appointed education chief Atsuko Toyama, continuing the policy of her predecessor, said her ministry will not seek additional revisions to a controversial history textbook even if South Korea officially lodges requests to this end.

JAPAN

Mar 11, 2001

Empty classrooms renovated for public use

With the birthrate declining, Tokyo municipalities have found that a growing number of school buildings are not being used. More wards are responding by renovating these vacant classrooms for wider use, ranging from offices to child-care centers.

JAPAN

Feb 25, 2001

'Charismatic housewife' advocates happiness through homemaking

Many Japanese women revere Harumi Kurihara, calling her the "charismatic housewife."

JAPAN

Feb 1, 2001

Colleges brace as fewer apply

Tadataka Koide, president of Aichi Gakuin University in Nagoya, is awaiting this month's entrance exams with anticipation and anxiety.

JAPAN

Jan 4, 2001

Teacher upbeat on proposals of education reform panel

When Ryoichi Kawakami, a 34-year veteran schoolteacher in Saitama Prefecture, was appointed to the National Commission on Educational Reform in March, he was skeptical about whether his input could help solve the problem of "classroom collapse."

JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW

Dec 9, 2000

Better education system hinges on revision of law: Machimura

The 53-year-old Fundamental Law of Education needs to be revised if Japan is to lay the foundations of a better education system in the 21st century, according to newly appointed Education Minister Nobutaka Machimura.

JAPAN

Dec 7, 2000

Journalists debate role of English in Asia

English, as the dominant language in cyberspace, is becoming an indispensable communication tool for Asian people. And the increased use of English among nonnative speakers should make it more colorful as a world language.

JAPAN

Dec 3, 2000

Women's groups decry foundation's demise

A recent Tokyo Metropolitan Government announcement that it plans to abolish the Tokyo Women's Foundation to save tax money has sparked protests among citizens' groups promoting gender equality.

JAPAN

Nov 16, 2000

Small classes but big ideas at new multicultural school

MAEBASHI, Gunma Pref. -- A new international school here may be starting off small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in aspirations.

JAPAN

Oct 5, 2000

Ex-JICA chief volunteers for the trenches

Upon retiring after a 38-year career with the Foreign Ministry followed by six years as head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Kimio Fujita was naturally expected to accept an honorary post, such as on a government panel.

JAPAN

Sep 6, 2000

Top LDP faction set to back Mori: Aoki

Mikio Aoki, a key member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's most powerful faction and the chief Cabinet secretary to two prime ministers, said his faction will support Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori until the Upper House election next summer.

JAPAN

Sep 2, 2000

Mori's house has odd occupants

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is less than happy about the state of his official residence, saying the many mice that scurry through the dwelling are not the aging residence's only unwanted visitors -- "Some say there are ghosts as well," he said.

JAPAN

Aug 27, 2000

Mejiro gets a long-overdue facelift

For the first time in 70 years, Mejiro Station is finally getting a facelift.

JAPAN

Aug 18, 2000

LDP reformists to take issues to voters outside Tokyo, Ishihara says

Since issuing the call for reform of the Liberal Democratic Party more than a month ago, Nobuteru Ishihara has been bombarded with questions from reporters and political observers:

JAPAN

Aug 18, 2000

Lawmakers try to rid LDP of stodgy ways

A new breed of Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker openly says that the party is an anachronism.

JAPAN

Jul 24, 2000

Mori seeking contact with Kim Jong Il

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. — Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori indicated his readiness Sunday to have direct contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as Tokyo pursues normalized ties with Pyongyang.

JAPAN

Jul 24, 2000

Summit Mori's career high?

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. — Concluding the Group of Eight summit with a smile under the scorching sun, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori may boast he has cleared a key hurdle for his administration — but it is just one hurdle of many.

JAPAN

Jul 15, 2000

Bailout decisions case by case, says Mori's 'younger brother'

JAPAN

Jul 5, 2000

Mori Cabinet not necessarily his own

In an effort to assert his leadership and bolster his sagging political fortunes, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori elected for a mix of the old and new in Tuesday's Cabinet reshuffle.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.

The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces

By Stephen Mansfield

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