Maya Kaneko - The Japan Times

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Maya Kaneko

For Maya Kaneko's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

BUSINESS

Jul 19, 2006

Koizumi, Singh adopt FTA report, paving way for official negotiations

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Kyodo) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, adopted a report on a bilateral free-trade agreement during talks Monday after the end of the Group of Eight summit.

BUSINESS

Apr 22, 2006

Wellington cautious about regional FTA

New Zealand Associate Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton has cautiously welcomed a recent proposal by Japan to create a 16-nation free-trade zone in Asia-Oceania, saying further research is needed to examine its feasibility.

Japan Times

BUSINESS

Apr 20, 2006

Schieffer frets Asia-Oceania FTA idea

U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer expressed concern Wednesday about a proposal by Japan's trade minister to create a 16-nation free-trade agreement in Asia and Oceania, saying it could damage U.S. interests in the region.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 24, 2006

Apple exporters hope to stay ahead in quality race

HIROSAKI, Aomori Pref. (Kyodo) Japan, a major food importer, has recently begun small-scale food exports in an effort to make its heavily protected farm sector more competitive. But one of the country's most successful fruit exporters says the country needs to establish internationally recognized food quality standards as a "weapon" in global competition.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 23, 2006

Aging, subsidized farmers slowly giving way to grower groups

ITOIGAWA, Niigata Pref. (Kyodo) Having watched many farmers grow too old to grow rice in this mountainous part of Niigata Prefecture, Naoji Hara has taken it upon himself to find a sustainable future for local agriculture.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Mar 22, 2006

Rice farmers seeking Asian export niche

MASUDA, Shimane Pref. (Kyodo) Images of a castle, cherry blossoms and traditional "egret dance" performers adorn a package made of Japanese paper, along with a label that reads "yummy and healthy rice" grown in Shimane Prefecture.

JAPAN / History

Feb 15, 2006

Vet wants 'Death Railway' to be UNESCO site

KURASHIKI, Okayama Pref. (Kyodo) A former Japanese military interpreter involved in interrogating World War II prisoners during the construction of the infamous Thai-Burma railway will go to Thailand on Wednesday to urge the government to get the railway's ruins designated as a World Heritage site.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Sep 23, 2005

Chubu economy seen buoyant after expo

Whenever a big event such as the Olympics or the World Exposition ends, the host city's economy is forecast to suffer a setback. But such a scenario seems unlikely for the Chubu region, where the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture will end on Sunday.

BUSINESS

Aug 4, 2005

OECD candidate pitches Asian view

World Bank economist Sawako Takeuchi, vying with five other candidates for the leadership of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, has vowed to bring in Asian perspectives to reform the Paris-based body.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 26, 2004

Longevity-wise, Hello Kitty seems to have 10 lives

Not long after it was created 30 years ago, Japan's ubiquitous cartoon feline Hello Kitty was almost dead.

JAPAN

Aug 26, 2004

Longevity-wise, Hello Kitty seems to have 10 lives

Not long after it was created 30 years ago, Japan's ubiquitous cartoon feline Hello Kitty was almost dead.

JAPAN

Jan 9, 2004

Horticulturist hoping to perform a 'miracle'

Mitsuharu Shimamura is on a crusade. The credo he preaches is the "miracle fruit," a plant native to West African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria. Every time he lectures about this unique fruit in classrooms, children raise their hands one after another to ask for another cup of sour lemon juice, or to bite into another whole lemon.

JAPAN

Apr 12, 2003

N.Y.-born teacher feels way to fight City Hall is win seat on assembly

Working as an English teacher in this city famous for its 16th century castle, Anthony Bianchi found his reform efforts hampered by "traditions" and "precedents." The 44-year-old New York native, who has carried out reforms such as recruiting professional language teachers to Inuyama since 1996, quit his post as director of the city's native English teacher program. He is going to run for a seat on the city assembly April 27.

JAPAN

Jan 3, 2002

Chinese teas overcome coffee boom as Japan turns new leaf in Asia

Unlike Starbucks coffee, it can be drunk steadily over three or four hours, with no risk of caffeine addiction.

JAPAN

Dec 22, 2001

Child sex abuse victim asks society to care

Indifference in a community leads to aggravated abuse of children, while a lack of understanding keeps children from being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, a Canadian survivor of child sexual exploitation said. Cherry Kingsley, 31, a participant in the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, which ended in Yokohama on Thursday, called on every member of society in every country not only to be aware of the problem of child abuse but also to reach out to the victims.

JAPAN

Oct 18, 2001

Agritourism catches on in Miyagi town

For those who are left cold by run-of-the-mill tourist attractions, a new inn in Miyagi Prefecture is offering a unique escape -- back to the blackboards and desktops of youth. The inn was converted from an old elementary school. San San Kan is an inn converted from an old elementary school in Shizugawa, Miyagi Prefecture.

JAPAN

Jun 6, 2001

War victims to speak out against contentious history text

About 40 people, including war victims, from several parts of Asia will speak against a recently approved Japanese history textbook at a two-day meeting in Tokyo starting Sunday.

JAPAN

Feb 24, 2001

Students turn tables on job recruiters

Fed up with the difficulties of securing employment during the continued economic slump, a group of college students have launched an initiative to radically alter the nation's recruitment practices.

JAPAN

Feb 24, 2001

Students turn tables on job recruiters

Fed up with the difficulties of securing employment during the continued economic slump, a group of college students have launched an initiative to radically alter the nation's recruitment practices.

BUSINESS

Jan 6, 2001

Young information technology execs join social revolution

The role played by young people in promoting information technology in society was highlighted in early December when a teenage company executive was recognized and won an award for being the person most representative of the IT revolution.

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

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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