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EDITORIALS

Dec 26, 2006

Nuclear pragmatism

A merican President George W. Bush has signed legislation that lets his country and India cooperate on civilian nuclear-energy programs. The move is likely to be one of the legacies of Mr. Bush's presidency: It is the cornerstone of his attempt to forge a new relationship between the two countries.

EDITORIALS

Dec 25, 2006

Lucky breaks in new budget

The fiscal 2007 draft budget, the first one compiled under the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reduces the amount of new debt, lifting hopes for the nation's financial reconstruction. But the reduction is mainly due to lucky circumstances -- not because of strenuous efforts to cut spending....

EDITORIALS

Dec 24, 2006

Five days and no leads

The latest round of the six-party talks aimed at halting North Korea's nuclear weapons programs ended without tangible results Friday. The participants even failed to decide on the date of the next round. Moreover, Japan and North Korea held no bilateral talks on resolving the fate of Japanese nationals...

EDITORIALS

Dec 24, 2006

Beware of norovirus

Outbreaks of norovirus -- which causes infectious stomach and intestinal ailments -- have prompted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to call on the health ministry to take special measures. The ministry's statistics show that from Nov. 1 to Dec. 18, a record 9,650 people suffered from food poisoning believed...

EDITORIALS

Dec 23, 2006

DPJ's policy plan needs work

The basic policy document adopted by the Democratic Party of Japan puts forth a fundamental idea clearly in contrast with the policy line of the Liberal Democratic Party. But some of its proposals lack boldness or are fuzzy, apparently to avoid an intraparty schism and to make it easy to cooperate with...

EDITORIALS

Dec 23, 2006

Lopsided tax proposals

The tax proposals by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito included in the fiscal 2007 draft budget reflect Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's idea that there will be no financial reconstruction without high economic growth. He envisages the following path: Tax cuts for the corporate sector will energize...

EDITORIALS

Dec 22, 2006

Changes at the United Nations

Two key figures are leaving the United Nations. Secretary General Kofi Annan has stepped down after two terms and has been succeeded by former South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton's tenure has come to an end as well. Their departures will change the world body, offering...

EDITORIALS

Dec 21, 2006

Japan's role in the U.N.

Fifty years have passed since Japan was admitted into the United Nations on Dec. 18, 1956. In his speech that day before the U.N. General Assembly, Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu expressed Japan's determination to fulfill its duties under the U.N. Charter, and said that Japan can become a bridge...

EDITORIALS

Dec 21, 2006

Rabies still poses a threat

The recent death of two men from rabies is a reminder that the disease is still rampant abroad. Both men, in their 60s, were bitten by dogs in the Philippines. The first man, from Kyoto, died on Nov. 17, and the second man, from Yokohama, died on Dec. 7. Sadly, they would have lived had they gotten vaccinations...

EDITORIALS

Dec 20, 2006

A natural partnership in Asia

Last week's visit to Japan by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is an important step forward in the long-delayed process of creating a durable and forward-looking relationship between two Asian powers. Japan and India are natural partners, whose relationship is based on shared interests, values and...

EDITORIALS

Dec 19, 2006

Closing the biofuel gap

Japan is lagging behind several other countries in developing liquid biofuels that serve as alternatives for fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. An increase in demand for oil caused by expanding economic activities worldwide as well as tighter government control of natural resources, as in...

EDITORIALS

Dec 18, 2006

Molding children by design

Legislation to revise the Fundamental Law of Education, which the ruling bloc has just pushed through the Diet, will drastically change the direction of the nation's postwar education system. It will lead to more direct control of education by the central government, which could result in stifling creative...

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.

What comes after 100?

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

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