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BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

Mori planning major overhaul for BayStars

It's been said that life is all about truth and time. Well, truth be told, new Yokohama BayStars manager Masaaki Mori would prefer to spend as much of the time he has left on Earth doing what he loves most -- working in baseball.
SUMO
Mar 23, 2001

Kaio moves to 12-0

OSAKA -- Ozeki Kaio cruised to his 12th straight win over title pretender Tamanoshima on Thursday to hold onto the lead at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament and edge one step closer to his second Emperor's Cup.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Banks rush for FSA funds ahead of fiscal-year deadline

The Financial Services Agency tentatively decided Thursday to inject 12 billion yen in public funds into Gifu Bank, a second-tier regional bank, to boost its capital, the agency said.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

LDP execs split over plan for stock-purchasing fund

Liberal Democratic Party policymakers in charge of revitalization of the stock market were still split Thursday over the efficacy of a controversial private fund aimed at easing selling pressure that stems from the unwinding of cross-held shares.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

'Little' Matsui sets sights on quadruple crown

Now that seven-time Pacific League batting champion Ichiro Suzuki has left the Orix BlueWave for the Seattle Mariners, this year's PL hitting title will be up for grabs.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

NPA targets rise in crimes by Chinese

Despite a 10 percent drop in crimes by foreigners in Japan in 2000, those committed by Chinese rose by 9 percent, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Straining under their weight, bank behemoths strive to survive

All-out competition will break out among Japan's four major banking groups next month in an arena that will host some of the world's largest banks in terms of aggregate assets.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Ex-driver to be hanged for role in dual murder

OSAKA -- The Osaka District Court on Thursday sentenced a 58-year-old former driver to death for murdering a man and his wife in 1997 and stealing cash from their home in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

Dragons' Bunch looking to avoid sophomore jinx

Chunichi Dragons pitcher Mel Bunch will be out to prove his rookie year in Japan pro baseball last season was no fluke. The right-hander led the Central League with 14 victories, threw a no-hitter early in the year and turned in a superb 2.98 earned run average in helping the Dragons to a strong second-place...
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

145 firms seek 'sokaiya' crackdown

A total of 145 companies across Japan have sought police protection for shareholder meetings to be held later this month in an apparent bid to thwart "sokaiya" corporate extortionists, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Honda touts emission control system

Honda Motor Co. said Thursday it has developed an automobile emission control system that can slash emissions of harmful agents to less than half the target levels set by the government last year.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Obituary: Michiyo Aratama

Veteran actress Michiyo Aratama, a popular figure in TV dramas and on stage, died of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital Saturday, her family said Thursday. She was 71.
COMMENTARY
Mar 23, 2001

Challenges for Japan-U.S. ties

The joint statement issued in Washington Monday by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and U.S. President George W. Bush is the first political declaration issued by Japan and a Republican administration in the United States in eight years. It marked a starting point for redefining terms of the Japan-U.S. security...
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Ex-Finnish prime minister to visit Japan

Former Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri, president of the 55th session of the U.N. General Assembly, will make a six-day trip to Japan starting April 1 to strengthen ties between Japan and the United Nations.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Outcast Aum aids landlord's plan

A person may offer help when seeing someone in despair, or instead opt to benefit from that desperation by taking advantage of it.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Kyoei Mutual to join Millea Insurance Group

Kyoei Mutual Fire & Marine Insurance Co. will join the Millea Insurance Group to be set up by three other life and nonlife insurance firms under a joint holding company by the end of 2004, the four companies said Thursday.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Man killed two infants, gets 18 years

OSAKA -- The Osaka District Court on Thursday sentenced a 33-year-old former professional driver to 18 years in prison for killing his two baby daughters, beating one to death and starving the other.
CULTURE / Film
Mar 23, 2001

Grace vs. Annabel

After seeing her many public and private faces in the film, I was wondering whether I'd be interviewing Annabel Chong or Grace Quek. As it turned out, I think I got Grace, in a sexy but elegant little black dress, revealing thoughts about what she was doing and why.
JAPAN
Mar 23, 2001

Investment in science sought by panel

A government panel recommended to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Thursday that the government invest 24 trillion yen in scientific research and development over the coming five years, panel members said.
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2001

Don't keep all eggs in one falling yen basket

On hearing that deposit interest rates in Japan are near zero, an investor from Jakarta said in apparent disbelief "You must be joking."
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 23, 2001

Giants' Maru-chan talks softly and carries a big stick

No one would've blamed Domingo Martinez if he never returned to Japan after the 1998 baseball season. After hitting .283 and smacking 30 home runs for the Pacific League champion Seibu Lions that year, the designated hitter wasn't given a gold watch or even a thank-you note for his efforts. Instead he...
EDITORIALS
Mar 23, 2001

The fear on the farm

Britain has closed zoos, animal parks and tourist attractions, banned protest marches and political gatherings in some rural communities, and postponed the Crufts dog show and the Cheltenham horse races. Portugal has banned bullfights. Governments in Northern African and Central European have threatened...
SOCCER / J. League
Mar 23, 2001

Brazilians banned from Japan soccer

The J. League's disciplinary committee Wednesday handed two-match suspensions to Albirex Niigata's Brazilian striker Lindomar and defender Sergio, also a Brazilian, for violent conduct during a second-division match Saturday.
EDITORIALS
Mar 22, 2001

A surprisingly successful summit

The first Japan-U.S. summit since the election of President George W. Bush has gone off without a hitch. Sad to say, but low expectations get a lot of the credit for the success of the meeting. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is a lame duck, both countries' economies are slumping and the tragic accident...
JAPAN
Mar 22, 2001

Kobe Declaration a thorn in the side of diplomacy

Staff writer OSAKA -- Last year, Robert Ludan, U.S. consul general for the Osaka-Kobe region, began pursuing an issue that had lain dormant for 25 years: U.S. naval visits to Kobe.

Longform

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