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BUSINESS
Jan 25, 2002

Seibu may shut five bleeding stores

Seibu Department Stores Ltd. is considering closing down about five loss-making outlets in rural areas over the next three years, company sources said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Jan 25, 2002

New 'G-men' to help protect others' treasures

The government has drawn up a package of measures -- including the appointment of a special "G-man" task force -- to fulfill obligations under an international treaty that bans illicit traffic in cultural treasures, government sources said Thursday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 25, 2002

Daring assault in Calcutta hijacks peace moves

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's landmark pledge on television two weeks ago to crack down on religious extremist groups appears to have been hijacked by terrorists.
LIFE / Lifestyle / MATTER OF COURSE
Jan 25, 2002

Students sweat out a spell of high pressure

It's been strangely quiet lately in the sixth-grade classrooms at my children's school. When I looked in the other day, nearly half the seats were empty. I couldn't understand why. A flu epidemic? Then I remembered. It's juken season -- entrance examination time.
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Jan 25, 2002

Serow

* Japanese name: Nihon kamoshika * Scientific name: Capricornis crispis * Description: Serows look like a cross between a goat and an antelope, with horizontal pupils and sharp, dagger-like horns. The ears are mule-like, narrow and tasseled, and are longer than the horns. Serows are the most primitive...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2002

Forget peace if the rules differ for Israel

NEW YORK -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to keep Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat under siege in the West Bank city of Ra- mallah shows an utter disrespect for the Palestinian leader and for the Palestinians. While Sharon insists that Arafat will not leave the city until...
COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE
Jan 24, 2002

A case for campaign finance reform

WASHINGTON -- Controversy is raging about the Enron collapse. Is it a political story? Is it a criminal story? Is it a business story? Is it a story about personalities? The Enron story is all three. The real question is which category is the most important. and that all depends on your perspective....
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Ministry to admit explanation of public works is lacking

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry has conceded in a white paper that its explanations of the need for and efficacy of public works projects have been inadequate, according to an outline of the paper obtained Wednesday by Kyodo News.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Alleged crime boss gets new warrant

A man believed to be the leader of the largest Chinese crime syndicate in Japan has been served a fresh arrest warrant on suspicion of entering false information on a government document, police said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

O'Neill against relying on weak yen for recovery

In an apparent move to step up pressure on Japan, U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill warned Wednesday that Tokyo should not resort to a weak yen to revive the long-ailing economy.
EDITORIALS
Jan 24, 2002

How to check nosocomial infection

Yet another outbreak of hospital-acquired group infection caused by serratia bacteria has occurred. At a hospital in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, a total of 12 inpatients on the same floor were infected, and seven of them died within a week. This is an extremely serious case of medical error.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Public buildings face new barrier-free codes

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry plans to strengthen the barrier-free law by making it obligatory for public buildings to install handrails and other facilities needed by senior citizens and the physically impaired, ministry sources said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

UNICEF aid head stresses Afghan crisis is not yet over

The head of a UNICEF emergency aid program in Afghanistan stressed Wednesday the humanitarian crisis is not over in the war-ravaged country despite the start of rehabilitation there, and urged continued international assistance.
SUMO
Jan 24, 2002

Victory makes Tochiazuma perfect 11-0 at Hatsu Basho

Ozeki Tochiazuma got rough and rugged with rank-and-filer Kotonowaka on Wednesday to retain the lead with an unblemished record while Chiyotaikai sent Kotomitsuki into the ringside seats to stay one step back at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

Swift decision eyed on state-backed financial firms

Nobuteru Ishihara, state minister in charge of administrative reform, told business leaders Wednesday he wants to reach a conclusion on the reform of government-backed financial institutions as quickly as possible.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

Farm imports drop after dispute ends

Imports of three agricultural products involved in a recently settled trade dispute between Japan and China have dropped simultaneously from year-earlier levels for the first time, according to the latest weekly trade data, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

WTO complaint mulled over U.S. sheet steel curb

Japan may file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over U.S. antidumping measures that target imports of surface-treated sheet steel, government officials said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Site sought for fusion project

The government is expected to soon announce its candidacy to host an international nuclear fusion project, despite the concerns of citizens, lawmakers and scientists about its safety and feasibility.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

Japan unlikely to increase ODA spending in fiscal '03

Japan is unlikely to increase its official development assistance in fiscal 2003 despite growing international calls for more funds, government officials said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Japan's 'Go' wins award at festival

The film "Go" has won one of the top prizes at the 13th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival in California, film distributor Toei Corp. said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2002

Bodies from mystery ship cremated

KAGOSHIMA -- The bodies of two crew members from a suspected North Korean spy ship that sank in the East China Sea after exchanging fire with Japan Coast Guard vessels last month were cremated Wednesday, coast guard officials said.
COMMENTARY
Jan 24, 2002

What is normal for Japan?

Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro has done an extraordinary job in leading Japan's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Both the package of measures his government put together to support the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism and the speed with which it was approved have...
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

Han joins chorus against weak yen

South Korean government officials on Wednesday joined an international chorus in decrying Tokyo's efforts to talk down the yen, with one hinting at intervention.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

NTT share price falls to new low

The share price of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. fell sharply Wednesday to a record low 377,000 yen amid heightened market fears over NTT's uncertain business outlook, brokers said.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2002

State, BOJ use report to pledge solidarity in deflation war

The government and the Bank of Japan are expected to release their first joint report Friday in which they reaffirm their determination to fight deflation, government sources revealed Wednesday.

Longform

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