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Kenzo Moriguchi
For Kenzo Moriguchi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
JAPAN
May 27, 2001
Roland creator follows his own tune to international success
OSAKA -- From its humble beginnings almost 30 years ago, Roland Corp. today is one of the world's top electronic musical instrument manufacturers. In fact, nearly any musical performance features the ubiquitous brand name somewhere on stage.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
May 20, 2001
We're pretty rude -- and we don't care
OSAKA -- Forget the phrase "Excuse me." Here in Osaka, nobody's going to excuse you, much less give you a second thought. Besides, if you've been raised with, say, English manners, you'd have to say "Excuse me" a million times a day.
LIFE / Food & Drink
May 20, 2001
Big taste treats await in Osaka's Little Korea
OSAKA -- As soon as you exit the station wickets, sometimes even before that, the aroma hits you.
Events
May 15, 2001
Itami's no-smoking goal draws fire
ITAMI, Hyogo Pref. -- The Itami Municipal Government's decision to target total elimination of adult smoking in its 10-year health plan has caused an uproar among tobacco lobbyists.
JAPAN
May 2, 2001
New air-conditioning system may cool red-hot electricity costs
OSAKA -- With more and more heat-generating computers being used in workplaces, owners and tenants of office buildings are seeing their electricity bills shoot up.
Events
Apr 17, 2001
Co-op undercuts pricey new recycling law
OSAKA -- A group of garbage collectors and recycling firms in Osaka Prefecture claim that the Electrical Appliance Recycle Law that went into effect earlier this month deprives them of income they have relied on for years, and to combat this, the group has undercut the fees set by the law.
Events
Apr 3, 2001
Locals hope for USJ windfall
OSAKA -- The local community here hopes the Saturday opening of Universal Studios Japan in Konohana Ward will boost the ailing local economy, which has an unemployment rate above the national average. But some local vendors are not very optimistic.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 1, 2001
Squid tentacles draw the crowds
OSAKA -- If asked to name Osaka's local specialties, most outsiders would say okonomiyaki (meat and vegetable pancakes) and takoyaki (octopus dumplings, or, as former Gov. "Knock" Yokoyama once introduced them to visiting world leaders, "samurai balls"). While it's true that these dishes originated in Osaka, locals will tell you that the tastiest treat in town is actually ikayaki -- but with a uniquely Osakan twist.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 18, 2001
Sports arenas upgrade to draw fans
KOBE -- With the weather gradually warming, outdoor sports fans are again starting to rejoice. J. League soccer teams kicked off a new soccer season last week and professional baseball games will get under way later this month. And this year, fans living in or near Kobe should be more motivated than ever to take in the games live. Two facilities -- including one under construction -- will offer fans a better view of the action.
JAPAN
Mar 4, 2001
'Natto' being used to clean up Osaka Castle moat
OSAKA -- "Natto," the infamous fermented soybean dish with its characteristic pungent smell and stickiness, may not exactly be the food of choice for many people. But an Osaka firm, in cooperation with Osaka City University, has begun an experiment to use polyglutamates -- the main component of the natto bacillus that turns soybeans to natto -- to help clean up the water in Osaka Castle's inner moat.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2001
Innovative software aims to aid deaf
KYOTO -- Takao Kurokawa, 58, a professor at Kyoto Institute of Technology and a human interface specialist, initially dreamed of inventing a device to interpret intentions by analyzing facial expressions, gestures or glances.
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2001
Osaka Securities Exchange chief took unusual path to financial peak
OSAKA -- When Goro Tatsumi joined a securities firm in Osaka's Kitahama district -- the city's financial hub -- more than 40 years ago, he predicted that the finance business would become a leading economic force in this country.
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2001
Researchers bid to resurrect Osaka's flagging local veggies
OSAKA -- Not many people would argue that Kyoto has famous vegetables.
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2001
Two cultures cross in Osaka's Namba
OSAKA -- The Namba district that stretches between Osaka's Chuo and Naniwa wards always bustles with people attracted by the variety of stores, restaurants and amusement spots.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2001
Quake-recovered Kobe to turn out for tourists
KOBE -- In 10 days, this port city will commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which claimed more than 6,400 lives in the region. The whole city will offer silent prayers for the victims, including the 4,571 who died in the city.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2000
Woman battles unfair rental practices
SHINGU, Hyogo Pref. -- When Suzuko Miura learned in March she would be returned only 34,181 yen of the 98,000 yen deposit she had paid on her son's Kyoto apartment, she refused to go down without a fight.
JAPAN
Dec 10, 2000
Victim's feelings said pushed aside amid campaign to get at Yokoyama
OSAKA -- It has been nearly a year since "Knock" Yokoyama resigned as Osaka's governor and was charged with molesting a female campaign aide, for which he was given an 18-month suspended prison term finalized in August.
JAPAN
Nov 26, 2000
Chelsea Rinku Town's raison d'etre
IZUMISANO, Osaka Pref. -- With nearly half of the land yet awaiting a buyer, a 318-hectare plot known as Rinku Town just across the bay from Kansai International Airport can hardly be called a bustling shopping district.
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2000
Playing princess dress-up in Himeji
HIMEJI, Hyogo Pref. -- When tourists visit the city of Himeji, they should not miss the opportunity to visit Himeji Castle, a national treasure and the first historical property in Japan registered on the U.N. World Heritage List.
CULTURE / Art
Oct 1, 2000
African artists hold display, classes to boost awareness
OSAKA -- Anthony Monda has been living here for six years and he cannot help but wonder at how little Japanese people know about Africa.

Longform

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