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JAPAN
Apr 29, 1999

74% of firms project pension fund shortages

More than 70 percent of the nation's corporate pension programs at the end of March were either short on reserves or expecting a shortage soon, according to survey results released Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 29, 1999

Nago's selection seen as peace offering from state

The surprise decision by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi to hold the main event of next year's Group of Eight summit in Okinawa apparently reflects the desire of the central government to improve ties with the prefecture under Gov. Keiichi Inamine.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 29, 1999

Restructuring isn't the cure-all for Japan

It must be lonely at the International Monetary Fund. Fiscal disciplinarians are never the life of the party, but the fund's tight-fisted solutions to economic crises have antagonized governments from Malaysia to Moscow, from Bangkok to Brazil.
JAPAN
Apr 29, 1999

Translation school moving onto the Net

Staff writer
COMMUNITY
Apr 29, 1999

And the Oscar goes to Splendor

Anais Anais by Cacherel first introduced me to the powers of perfume at age 12. No one told me you weren't supposed to overdo it. So not only did I leave no area of skin unscented, but I also fumigated every letter to my first boyfriend while he was away at summer camp. I began to realize the potent...
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 29, 1999

D-I-V-O-R-C-E becomes final in one day

While divorce in Japan is increasing at what some people might call an alarming rate, it is still less common than it is in most Western countries, particularly the U.S., where it's projected that between half and two-thirds of all couples who marry this year will someday split.
JAPAN
Apr 29, 1999

MSDF tries out new sea patrol tactics

Staff writer
LIFE / Travel
Apr 29, 1999

Humanities offer power to the people

SEATTLE -- Journalist and author Earl Shorris believes the real difference between the haves and have-nots is political power.
LIFE / Style & Design / BEAUTY EAST AND WEST
Apr 29, 1999

Wake up and smell the roses with refreshing floral remedies

It's spring, and springtime means flowers, blossoms and blooms. Today we'll devote this column to a beauty-and-health celebration of spring flora, with a sweet-scented selection of recipes with which to make yourself happier, healthier and more lovely.
EDITORIALS
Apr 28, 1999

No victory for the security alliance

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has his "omiyage" for U.S. President Bill Clinton. Following Monday night's approval of three bills to implement the updated Japan-U.S. defense guidelines by a special Lower House committee, the full Lower House approved them Tuesday, and Mr. Obuchi will be able to tell the...
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Upper House clears porn, info bills

Two key bills -- one aimed at allowing public access to records of government ministries and agencies, and the other seeking to ban prostitution and pornography involving minors -- were approved Wednesday by the full Upper House.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Nissan to slim management as Renault execs enter

Nissan Motor Co. announced a management downsizing plan Wednesday aimed at speedier decision-making, a slimmer board and the appointment of three executives from Renault SA.
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Apr 28, 1999

Tyranny of temptation

The future was supposed to be darker. Technology, in the service of some vast, all-encompassing power, was going to enslave us. Human beings would be reduced to ciphers, forced to live anonymous, interchangeable lives.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Digital coding tech pioneer to receive Japan Prize

Staff writer
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Obuchi visit may not be all smiles

Staff writer
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Nonaka eyes tripartite unity in Lower House polls

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka said Wednesday that the Liberal Democratic Party, Liberal Party and New Komeito should consider campaign cooperation for the next Lower House elections to further cement their tripartite ties.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Second-tier brokerages led by Kokusai, Wako in '98

The nation's nine second-tier brokerage houses saw varied results at the end of fiscal 1998, with five of the firms reporting pretax profits and the others posting losses, according to earnings reports released by Wednesday.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Coalition looks at strategy for next polls

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Liberal Party, kicked off talks Wednesday on possible campaign cooperation for the next Lower House elections.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Sega slammed by poor Dreamcast sales

Electronics game machine maker Sega Enterprises Ltd. said Wednesday that it will suffer net losses of 32.8 billion yen for fiscal 1998, a sharp deviation from a projected 4.6 billion yen net profit.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Mayor marks completion of Kobe House complex

KOBE -- The mayor of Kobe and the governor of Hyogo Prefecture joined about 200 people at the new Kobe International House here Wednesday morning for a special ceremony to mark completion of its construction.
JAPAN
Apr 28, 1999

Obuchi sees chance to bolster ties with U.S.

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Wednesday called for reinforced security ties and an overall partnership with the United States, underlining Japan-U.S. relations as the main pillar of Japanese diplomatic policy.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

Yanagisawa vows to speed up action on bad debt woes

Hakuo Yanagisawa, state minister in charge of financial system revitalization measures, pledged Tuesday to accelerate efforts to solve bad debt problems.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

Trade breaks give Obuchi strong hand, Okawara says

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi will not be overshadowed by economic issues in his upcoming talks with U.S. President Bill Clinton now that the two governments have made a breakthrough in bilateral trade talks, a former Japanese ambassador said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

Second aid package set for Kosovo

The government announced a comprehensive aid package Tuesday for Kosovar refugees, featuring $200 million in humanitarian and financial support for international aid bodies, refugee-hosting countries and the future return of the refugees to Kosovo.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

Lower House approves defense guidelines bills

The Lower House adopted three bills Tuesday for facilitating defense cooperation between Japan and the United States in emergencies that take place within unspecified "areas surrounding Japan."
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

Africa's image worries ambassadors

Ambassadors from five African nations said Tuesday that their continent's image and perception in Japan is too negative and that mutual understanding about Africa is needed at a grassroots level.
EDITORIALS
Apr 27, 1999

Somber NATO turns 50

Less than a year ago, NATO's 50th-anniversary celebration was going to be a festive occasion. Alliance members were ready to toast each other for their ability to stand together against the Soviet threat and for having survived the end of the Cold War by forging a new relationship with their former rival...
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

State OKs administrative streamlining bills

The government approved 17 bills Tuesday to slim down the administration in January 2001 along with a basic policy and plans to implement the reforms.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

LDP, DPJ strike deal on info disclosure

The Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan agreed Tuesday to amend the information disclosure bill, now under debate at the Upper House, allowing for the review of a key provision four years after its enactment.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 1999

Asia slump cited in 3.3% drop in vehicle exports in '98

Struck hard by Asia's continuing economic slump, Japan's exports of passenger cars, trucks and buses dropped 3.3 percent from the previous year to 4,519,289 units for fiscal 1998, marking the first decrease in three years, an industry group said Tuesday.

Longform

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.
That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb