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Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2003

Two Nigerians arrested over fake U.S. bills

Two Nigerian nationals under arrest for allegedly overstaying their visas were served further warrants Tuesday on suspicion of trying to smuggle 20 fake $100 bills into the country, Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo customs officials said.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2003

Takenaka to keep close eye on bank restructuring moves

Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka said Tuesday he intends to keep a strict watch on the restructuring plans of major banks to ensure they produce favorable results in reviving the nation's banking sector.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2003

Consumption tax may be raised

The government will consider raising the consumption tax to secure revenues, even though its priority remains the elimination of unnecessary spending, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 8, 2003

Calling to the gods with a true, independent female voice

The career of composer, vocalist and dancer Makiko Sakurai has followed a unique path. She is the only woman who has been trained in shomyo -- the Buddhist liturgical chanting that dates back to the ninth century and is traditionally practiced only by males.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2003

Extra DNA tests planned to identify more soldiers

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to increase its use of DNA testing to identify the remains of Japanese soldiers who were buried overseas, ministry officials said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 8, 2003

Music of the saints

Someone once said that the best way to start building a jazz collection would be to buy a couple albums from each decade that Miles Davis was recording and, after that, choose a sideman from each of these selections and buy one of his solo albums. The same could be said of John Zorn and his collaborators,...
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2003

Major banks opt to put greater emphasis on private banking

The banking industry has begun putting greater emphasis on private banking as it seeks to increase profitability and eradicate huge loan-loss charges.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2003

No plan for snap election, Koizumi says

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday he has no plan to dissolve the House of Representatives and call a snap election this year, and pledged to employ all possible measures to fight deflation.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 7, 2003

JOC board member dead at 54

Kawamori, a Japanese Olympic Committee executive board member, died of a liver ailment late last month, sports officials said Monday. She was 54.
SUMO
Jan 7, 2003

JSA head may call for steroid tests

Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi said Sunday he may call for tests for steroid use in sumo due to a recent spate of injuries to wrestlers in the sport.
EDITORIALS
Jan 7, 2003

Mr. Putin's resurgent Russia

Remember Russia? The government in Moscow no longer commands the international respect -- or fear -- that it did during the Cold War days, but a decade after the collapse of its empire, Russia appears ready for a comeback. President Vladimir Putin has revealed a deft touch at home and abroad, besting...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2003

U.S. options in South Korea

HONOLULU -- A drive to compel the United States to withdraw its military forces from South Korea is picking up steam with a curious alignment of advocates from the left and the right.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 7, 2003

Maker of stylus-free record player has got his groove back

SAITAMA -- His friends backed him up 15 years ago when he left his lofty position at one of the world's largest electronics makers and ended up at a small audio manufacturer. But when he decided to pursue a piece of analog equipment seemingly destined to die in an increasingly digital world, they wrote...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2003

Prewar democracy bid once saw jury trials

The atmosphere of heated argument lingers ghostlike within a restored prewar courtroom of the Yokohama District Court, where 12 chairs for the jury face those of the prosecution and defense.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 7, 2003

Slump has silver lining: Cosmo chief

The economic slump offers unprecedented opportunities for new firms looking to carve out a niche in Japan, according to Kumi Sato, president of Cosmo Public Relations Corp., a Tokyo-based marketing consulting firm.
BUSINESS
Jan 7, 2003

Economic uncertainty mounting in 2003: business leaders

The leaders of Japan's three most powerful business groups said Monday that the uncertainty over Japan's economy is increasing this year due to the possibility of a U.S.-led war against Iraq, and predicted that annual economic growth will be between zero and nearly 1 percent.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2003

New Year's road-death toll hits low

The nationwide road-death toll during the New Year's period between Dec. 29 and Friday was the lowest in more than 30 years, according to the National Police Agency.
BUSINESS
Jan 7, 2003

New-vehicle sales decline for second straight year

Sales of new motor vehicles in Japan, excluding minivehicles, fell 2.3 percent in 2002 from the previous year to 3,966,095 units for the second straight yearly decline, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Monday.
COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES
Jan 7, 2003

Drunken driving, unhappy holidays, and shaping up

Under the influence Glen refused a drink with us on Christmas Eve with more than his usual reluctant zeal. He had just heard of someone who had been arrested in a car being driven by someone else. The acquaintance was relatively sober; the driver was not.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years