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April 27, 2024
 

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Yumi Wijers-Hasegawa
For Yumi Wijers-Hasegawa's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Oct 15, 2006
Intimacy crusader strives to rekindle Japan's fires of marital passion
At first glance, 46-year-old Mayumi Futamatsu looks like a regular housewife. But as someone who's "seen both heaven and hell" in her two marriages, she's a woman with a mission to help all women to be happy -- through having better sex lives.
BUSINESS
Oct 5, 2006
U.S. beef hard sell as concern lingers, Aussies fill void
Michal Small has been waiting eagerly for the return of U.S. beef to Japan, but it seems the American will have to wait a while longer before the Roppongi Hills restaurants she frequents start serving the fare again.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 30, 2006
Trade chief hopes oil projects work out
Japan hopes to continue talks with Iran on tapping the Azadegan oil field beyond the Saturday deadline set by Tehran for the nation's participation, new Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari says.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 29, 2006
Omi defends shelving sales tax hike talk
The new finance minister's statement Wednesday that discussion to raise the consumption tax will only begin next fall has sparked speculation that he will not carry out the last administration's long-term plans to cut the debt and that it's a ploy for his party to fare well in next summer's Upper House election.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2006
Asahara's execution finalized
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a special appeal by lawyers for Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara, finalizing the death sentence for the man who masterminded the cult's horrific nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995.
BUSINESS
Sep 15, 2006
Poor would lose more in tax hike: economist
Although the government has little choice but to raise the consumption tax to reduce Japan's mountain of debt, any increase is likely to hit the poor the hardest, an economist at a major think tank warned Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 7, 2006
Fans, patients, shop owners weigh in on Imperial birth
Amid heavy security Wednesday, the media, Imperial enthusiasts and well-wishers swarmed to prestigious Aiiku Hospital in Minato Ward, Tokyo, during the wee hours to wait for Princess Kiko to give birth.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 6, 2006
Question of next prime minister still taxing issue
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi succeeded in shrinking the political pork barrel by privatizing the powerful post office monopoly and weaning politicians from their heavy reliance on public works to boost the economy.
BUSINESS
Sep 6, 2006
Tax panel scraps report that takes Tanigaki's tack
Ignoring the objections of some members, the government's Tax Commission canceled publication of a midterm report on tax issues for the first time since the tax panel was launched in the late 1950s, admitting Tuesday the decision was influenced by political considerations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2006
New tours with military theme score direct hit for Hato Bus
Travel agents are always looking for new ways to entice the fickle Japanese customer, and Hato Bus Co. has landed a direct hit with a set of new military-themed tours.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2006
Pioneer for women seeks home for peace dolls
One of the nation's first female lawmakers is working on what she says will be her last project: a museum for dolls sent to Japan from over 50 countries in support of world peace.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 15, 2006
Mutton caramel, fish ice cream as regional fare goes over top
Trying popular and quirky local fare is often part of the summer vacation experience, and not all items are necessarily guaranteed to be tasty.
BUSINESS
Aug 12, 2006
GDP grows at lower than expected 0.2% in quarter
Japan's economy is on the road to a sane recovery at a slower than expected 0.8 percent annualized rate seen in the April-June period, the Cabinet Office said Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 9, 2006
Make better rural life a priority: Tanigaki
Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki promised Tuesday to place priority on revitalizing rural areas and creating a society where people who work hard can lead untroubled lives if he becomes prime minister by winning the Sept. 20 Liberal Democratic Party presidential election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 8, 2006
Japan receives first batch of U.S. beef
The first shipment of U.S. beef since Japan reimposed a ban in January over fears of mad cow disease arrived Monday at Narita airport.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2006
Ex-additive salesman warns of hidden dangers
A one-time food-additives salesman and chemist is using his insider information to warn people about the dangers lurking in the prepared-food sections at supermarkets and convenience stores.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 13, 2006
Firm pioneers dealing with belongings of departed
With more than 4 million people over 65 living alone and many dying a solitary death, a niche business has emerged in dealing with the belongings of those who pass away.
BUSINESS
Jul 8, 2006
Spending cuts, deferring sales tax hike, get nod
The Cabinet on Friday approved an economic policy guideline for 2006 aimed at shoring up the government's woeful finances with spending cuts and tax revisions, but leaves the dreaded consumption levy hike for a later administration to deal with.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 6, 2006
Politics attached to provocation: experts
More brinkmanship or a calculated test of the international community's resolve?
BUSINESS
Jun 28, 2006
Long-term fiscal health needs cuts, taxes: experts
Monday's decision by the government to cut spending and aim for a primary surplus by 2011 is a step in the right direction, but more drastic reforms are needed to whip the books back into shape, experts say.
New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Top U.S. and China diplomats talk tough amid warnings of new ‘downward spiral’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.

Podcast

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

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo
Leading Japan’s sustainability from Tokyo

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