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BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2001

Ford to get new batteries from Sanyo

OSAKA -- Sanyo Electric Co. will exclusively supply battery systems for Ford Motor Co.'s first hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), which will appear on roads in 2003, the two firms announced Friday.
CULTURE / Music / HOGAKU TODAY
Jan 6, 2001

Japanese music gets support from New Year's tradition

New Year's in Japan is a period when Japanese suddenly seem to "rediscover" their traditional music. Radio and television stations, which, except for NHK, practically ignore traditional music for most of the year, get into the seasonal spirit and air programs of the classical performing and theatrical...
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2001

Honda takes over No. 2 slot in domestic sales of vehicles

Honda Motor Co. has become Japan's No. 2 automaker, overwhelming Nissan Motor Co. in domestic sales for the first time in a calendar year, according to statistics released Friday by two industry bodies.
CULTURE / Art
Jan 6, 2001

Gentility of famed Wedgwood

Despite fears that England is increasingly becoming an unpleasant and vulgar country with an antisocial yob culture, internationally it is still blessed with an image of civilized gentility.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2001

Mori to embark on African trip

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori leaves Sunday for a nine-day trip to South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Greece with the aim of boosting diplomatic ties with sub-Saharan Africa. He will be the first Japanese prime minister to visit the region.
COMMENTARY
Jan 6, 2001

Globalism: our last, best hope

LONDON -- The central proposition of our times was summed up neatly over 200 years ago by Samuel Johnson. "Society," the sage doctor said, "is held together by communication and information."
COMMENTARY
Jan 6, 2001

China and Taiwan fight over the WTO

WASHINGTON -- The changing of the political guard will soon be under way in Washington. Despite disquiet in many foreign capitals, few dramatic changes in U.S. foreign policy are likely.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2001

Mori gives Cabinet pep talk on new bureaucracy

One day before the realigned bureaucracy debuts, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Friday urged his Cabinet to continue showing leadership in the face of sweeping changes to government ministries and agencies.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2001

Rightist held after shooting at Aum home

A man believed to be a member of a rightist group was arrested after firing shots Thursday night at an apartment building in Tokyo where followers of Aum Shinrikyo live, police said Friday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 5, 2001

Familiar faces in Washington

President-elect George W. Bush has completed his Cabinet nominations. He has assembled a diverse group that has ample experience in Washington and in dealing with the bureaucracy. They are competent, capable and conservative. Taken as a whole, however, the group raises questions about Mr. Bush's claim...
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2001

Asahi, IHT to jointly publish daily

Major national newspaper Asahi Shimbun Co. will jointly publish an English-language newspaper in Japan with the International Herald Tribune, the Japanese daily said Thursday.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2001

Changing diet brings rising food concerns

The traditional Japanese diet of rice, grilled fish and vegetables has long been heralded as among the healthiest a culture has produced -- just witness Japan's long life spans.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2001

Aozora Bank unveils new logo

Aozora Bank, the reincarnation of the failed Nippon Credit Bank, kicked off operations Thursday by unveiling its new corporate logo in a high-profile ceremony.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2001

Osaka pins revitalization on 90% corporate tax cut

The Osaka Prefectural Government said Thursday that it will slash as much as 90 percent off the corporate business tax it levies on new companies headquartered in the prefecture in a bid to attract more firms.
CULTURE / Film
Jan 5, 2001

A film genius in his own mind

Harmony Korine -- screenwriter of "Kids," director of "Gummo" -- fancies himself the enfant terrible of contemporary cinema. Well, he is . . . terrible. Certain critics have been calling him "the new Godard," and I'd agreewith that too. But when was the last time Godard made anything that played better...
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2001

9,066 killed in traffic accidents in 2000

The number of traffic fatalities in 2000 totaled 9,066, up 60 over 1999 for the first increase since more than 10,000 deaths were recorded in 1996, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2001

TSE starts year sour despite rise abroad

Despite the record surge in U.S. high-tech stocks overnight, the Tokyo Stock Exchange began 2001 on a lackluster note Thursday, with an initial rally fizzling out.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2001

Cooperative-style condos let owners realize dreams

New condo owner Emiko Kaji says her brand new color-coordinated kitchen keeps her happy while she slaves over the stove cooking for her family.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2001

Top broker plans seminars for undergraduates in Hyogo

Nomura Securities Co. will offer securities business seminars at Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, starting in April.
BUSINESS
Jan 5, 2001

Nomura eyes pole position for new pensions

Nomura Securities Co. is preparing for the expected introduction of a new defined-contribution pension program modeled on the U.S. 401(k) plans later this year.
SUMO
Jan 5, 2001

Ailing Akebono to skip New Year tournament

Yokozuna Akebono, winner of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November, said Thursday he will skip the New Year meet that gets under way at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday because of pain in his knees.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2001

New Year travelers swamp Kansai and Narita airports

Japan's two major international airports -- Narita in Chiba Prefecture and Kansai in Osaka Prefecture -- were strained to capacity Thursday as travelers returned home from New Year's vacations abroad, airport officials said.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2001

Tap dance zealot leads revival of making 'music' with feet

Tap dance instructor Kaoru Tomita has a simple yet effective approach to teaching the percussive dance in a country where rote learning and imitation are pedagogic mainstays: Do what you want and don't copy anyone.

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear