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Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2007

Japan carmakers find an opening in U.S. market on the skids

LOS ANGELES — High oil prices may be driving down U.S. car sales, but Japanese automakers that depend on the U.S. market for the largest portion of their profits say the adverse conditions could present them with a business opportunity.
Reader Mail
Dec 20, 2007

Can't close door to immigration

In his Dec. 13 letter, "Pay the price of social harmony," Graham Blake's suggestion (that Japan hold off on fully opening its door to immigrants) is like building on sand. As a reader, I am cognizant of his right to an opinion, but I have to dispute it because of apparent gaps in information.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 20, 2007

Hokusai's 'Dutch' courage

It might sound a corny to say that artists live through their works, but in the case of Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), whose lengthy life story is mired in muddles, myths and myriad name changes, it is his art that speaks with the clearest voice and that provides the scale with which to weigh the words...
EDITORIALS
Dec 20, 2007

Heavy-handed approach to Europe

Russia's war of nerves with the West intensified last week with Moscow's formal suspension of its participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty. Russia is using the CFE to remind NATO, and its European members in particular, of Moscow's strategic concerns as it hopes to drive a wedge...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 18, 2007

The myopic state we're in

We all notice it eventually: how nice individual Japanese people are, yet how cold — even discriminatory — officialdom is toward non-Japanese (NJ). This dichotomy is often passed off as something "cultural" (a category people tend to assign anything they can't understand), but recent events have...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Dec 15, 2007

Bringing books, schools to the world's children

Immediately after meeting John Wood and hearing the story of his Room to Read program, I was reminded of one of my favorite childhood books. Though he isn't prone to wearing green leotards or stealing from the rich, this modern-day Robin Hood acquires donations from the world's largest companies and...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Dec 15, 2007

Coming alive with gospel music

Orren Tanabe stands tall above the rest of the crowd in front of Shinjuku's ALTA sign. Having not made this a meeting place for years, the experience is proving more than a little nostalgic. Knowing the way central Tokyo changes at the tip of a hat, he leads the way to a favorite pizza dive with some...
Japan Times
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 14, 2007

Readers' contributions aiding struggling refugees in Japan

Third in a series
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Dec 14, 2007

A tycoon's field of dreams

On Oct. 16 a Japanese media tycoon was awarded the Newspaper Culture Prize by the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association (JNPEA) at its 60th general meeting in Nagano.
Japan Times
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 13, 2007

Helping Laotians keep their forests

Second in a series
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 13, 2007

The printer who wished to paint

Masuo Ikeda's polymath abilities in the arts — ranging from printmaking to writing and ceramics — is mirrored in his diverse depictions of feminine eroticism. Posed provocatively in Ikeda's works are his versions of Venus, virgins, brides, generic types and femme fatales, the Madonna of the Annunciation...
Reader Mail
Dec 13, 2007

Japanese studies alive Down Under

Regarding Roger Pulvers' Dec. 9 article, "A moment of opportunity for Australia's new PM": Pulvers should have sought information on the relative strengths of Japanese studies and Chinese studies at all levels of education in Australia (from the Japanese Studies Association of Australia or from professor...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 13, 2007

Freed by the war

Nationalism — especially in the Japanese context — routinely gets a bad press.
Japan Times
JAPAN / READERS' FUND
Dec 12, 2007

Kyoto NGO works to boost Afghan women's lot, literacy

This is the first in a series on how contributions to The Japan Times Readers' Fund last year — the 52nd since the campaign started — are being put to use. Readers donated ¥1,191,888 in 2006, which has gone to six groups helping needy people across Asia.
EDITORIALS
Dec 12, 2007

Open debate on death penalty

In executing three death-row inmates last week, the Justice Ministry made public their names, the crimes they were convicted of and the locations of the executions. This break with its secrecy policy has slightly improved transparency in the nation's capital punishment system. This trend should not be...
BUSINESS
Dec 12, 2007

Household pessimism rises as gas, food prices surge, wages stall

Households became the most pessimistic they've been in almost four years as gasoline and food prices surged and wage growth stalled, leaving consumers less willing and able to spend.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2007

Parties reach deal on expenses disclosure

The ruling bloc and three opposition parties reached a final deal Tuesday on legislation that would require all political organizations linked to Diet members to keep receipts for every spending item of any amount — except salaries.
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Dec 12, 2007

Gadgetry supports the lazy, and Polaroid launches an iPod-friendly DVD player

Beam me everywhere, Scotty: Laziness is an industry in itself, and, judging by the gadgets that we crave, we are working rather hard to not work hard. Or maybe it is just the pursuit of versatility; why have just one way of doing something when we can create dozens of ways of fulfilling our wishes? Whatever...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2007

Tenacity, chance imported Krispy Kreme craze

The long lines of people waiting for the taste of fresh glazed doughnuts don't seem to be getting any shorter at Krispy Kreme outlets in the Tokyo area, even after the U.S. doughnut chain's third store opened last month in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture.

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