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EDITORIALS

Jun 23, 2007

Iraq mission needs clarification

The Diet has passed a bill to extend by two years the July 2003 ad hoc law to deploy Self-Defense Forces in Iraq for noncombat activities. The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito supported it, while the Democratic Party of Japan and three other opposition parties opposed it. The...

EDITORIALS

Jun 22, 2007

Water fit for drinking

Some 3.4 million people abroad die annually of diseases caused by drinking polluted water. Fortunately, drinking water in Japan is virtually free of pollution and pathogens thanks to the efforts of the 60,000 local government people employed in city water supply services.

EDITORIALS

Jun 22, 2007

Avoiding a collision

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately extended a helping hand to U.S. President George W. Bush. He let the U.S. use military bases in Central Asia when the U.S. attacked the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. But the once-friendly relations have...

COMMENTARY / World

Jun 22, 2007

Simpler treaty for EU's silent majority

By Nicolas Schmit

LUXEMBOURG — At the European Union's summit this week, debate will center on whether to go forward with a "mini" EU Constitutional Treaty. That debate is the result of the rejection of the draft treaty by French and Dutch voters in 2005. But those "no" votes have obscured the fact that 18 of the EU's...

COMMENTARY

Jun 21, 2007

The law is clear on Kosovo

By Gwynne Dyer

LONDON — The ratio of foreign soldiers to local citizens in Kosovo (16,500 NATO troops to 2 million civilians) is slightly higher than the ratio of American soldiers to Iraqi citizens.

COMMENTARY

Jun 21, 2007

Mark Twain and the sins of 'our race'

By Ramzy Baroud

LONDON — When I resorted to Mark Twain's writings, I attempted to escape, at least temporarily from my often distressing readings on war, politics and terror. But his "The Mysterious Stranger," although published 1916, left me with an eerie feeling. The imaginative story calls into question beliefs...

EDITORIALS

Jun 21, 2007

Mysterious deal with Chongryun

Mystery still surrounds the unsuccessful attempt to buy the 10-story headquarters of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents of Japan (Chongryun) and its land. Mr. Shigetake Ogata, former head of the Public Security Intelligence Agency, which monitors Chongryun, headed an investment...

COMMENTARY / World

Jun 21, 2007

Breathing new life into France's economy

By Georges De Menil

PRAGUE — Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential election triumph in May, and now the victory of his party, the UMP, in the parliamentary election, has created the most favorable opportunity in decades for deep structural reform in France. Not only did Sarkozy win the presidency with 53 percent of the vote,...

COMMENTARY / World

Jun 21, 2007

World's last interventionist

By David Rieff

PRAGUE — When Tony Blair, having procrastinated about his departure almost to the point of unreason, finally gives up the British premiership this month, it will be to the general relief not only of the British public as a whole, but also of the overwhelming majority of his own party.

EDITORIALS

Jun 21, 2007

Relief for pollution victims

Court-mediated talks to settle damage suits filed by some 630 Tokyoites suffering from air pollution-induced asthma are nearing a final stage. In the damage suits they sought a total of 14.8 billion yen from the central government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Metropolitan Expressway Co. and...

EDITORIALS

Jun 20, 2007

Assuaging fears of being a judge

Within two years, the lay judge system will be introduced in Japan. Citizens will be able to have their opinions directly reflected in initial, lower-court trials for heinous crimes. But the system will impose new civic duties and burdens on citizens. It is imperative that the courts, the bar and the...

EDITORIALS

Jun 20, 2007

Services before profits

Japan Post Corp. has submitted a business plan to the government for a 10-year privatization process that begins Oct. 1. The company will serve as a holding company for four units: Yucho Bank, Kampo Insurance, a mail delivery firm and an over-the-counter services firm. The group will have some 241,400...

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

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.

What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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