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Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 16, 2006

An ambassador of enlightenment

When I was a teenager living in New York some 20 years ago, I bought a tiny introduction to Zen Buddhism from a bookstore in midtown Manhattan. A $1 clearance-sale copy, it was so small that I could slip it into my back pocket.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Nov 15, 2006

Lure of money set to empty the oceans

Afriend of mine who lives in the picturesque port city of Otaru, western Hokkaido, is a fish-hunter. He loves to dive, and hunts for fish with a spear gun -- seafood is his manna from heaven.
BUSINESS / POPULATION SYMPOSIUM
Nov 9, 2006

Environment, not career major hurdle to big families

See the main story: Low birthrate threatens Japan's future See related story: French values and child-care policies put family before work
EDITORIALS
Nov 1, 2006

Entrance exam blow-back

Some 290 high schools across Japan, most of them publicly run, were found to have not taught all compulsory subjects to students. More than 47,000 students have been affected. Third-year students who will take university entrance exams early next year will especially be in a tight spot. To be able to...
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Oct 24, 2006

Sony's Aquos line, Kaichiro Yamada's Tatami chair, Tokujin Yoshioka's PANE chair, MSG's Kakehouki broom

Slim and sleek
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 21, 2006

India-American nuclear deal foundering

MADRAS -- The Indian-American nuclear deal signed in New Delhi in March seems to be foundering. The pact, which would give India access to American civil nuclear technology, must be approved by the U.S. Congress before it can become law.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 17, 2006

Visiting a theme park sure beats working, unless . . .

Japan has lots of young people who are out of work or not even in the hunt for a job. The government estimates that 850,000 people, from teens through to their 30s, fall into the category of NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). Then there are the "freeters," youths who only work odd jobs...
BUSINESS
Oct 11, 2006

Sanctions seen having little impact

OSAKA -- Although calls in Japan for tough economic sanctions against North Korea will no doubt grow following Monday's nuclear test, economists say stopping the flow of goods between the two countries would have more political meaning than economic.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Oct 7, 2006

Satohiko Sasaki

This summer, the Japan Academy awarded Satohiko Sasaki the Duke of Edinburgh Prize for his study of the physiology and ecology of tropical rain forest species and the development of rehabilitation technology. The award, made in the presence of the Emperor and Empress, was a crowning recognition of Sasaki's...
EDITORIALS
Oct 6, 2006

Encouragement for reporters

The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed by a U.S. health-food maker against a high court decision that upheld a reporter's right to keep a news source secret. The decision concerns an NHK report that the Japanese subsidiary of the company had underreported its revenues to reduce tax bills.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 2, 2006

China losing its battle with corruption

SINGAPORE -- China's rulers rarely wash their dirty linen in public. So the arrest of Politburo member and Shanghai Communist Party boss Chen Liangyu on corruption charges has sent shock waves across the country. Some speculate that the arrest is really part of a power struggle, with President Hu Jingtao...
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2006

Hawkishness is watchword for Abe team

The Cabinet and special advisers named Tuesday by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe share one dominant trait: conservatism.
EDITORIALS
Sep 26, 2006

Saraba, Mr. Koizumi

Mr. Junichiro Koizumi leaves the center stage of Japanese politics Tuesday, after five years and five months in power. He can claim some major accomplishments under the banner of structural reform. He also has created problems that must be overcome by the new administration in the years to come.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
Sep 25, 2006

Supreme Court ruling doesn't hold water

NEW YORK -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia can't be serious. In a recent decision he penned, he quoted "a famous exchange" in the 1942 movie "Casablanca" and a tale about "an Eastern guru" exclaiming, "Ah, after that it is turtles all the way down." The first quote was intended to deride the...
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Sep 24, 2006

Japan's hordes of hoarders still look to their navel nest eggs

I have spent nearly 40 years writing about Japan, virtually all of the time trying to show how Japanese people are really no different from other nationalities. But, by God, there is one aspect of Japanese life that makes this country unique. I defy any reader to name a society that has a custom like...
BUSINESS
Sep 15, 2006

Uptrend in business failures shown tailing off in August

The number of corporate bankruptcies rose 1.4 percent to 1,169 in August from the previous year, but it was the third-lowest figure for any August in the past 10 years, a private credit research agency said Thursday.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Sep 6, 2006

Valentine critical of All-Star Series

CHIBA -- It was no accident that the announcement of the MLB-NPB All-Star Series came later in the year than it ever has.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2006

Kubota, other firms get asbestos bill

An expert panel of the Environment Ministry on Wednesday approved a proposal calling for machinery maker Kubota Corp. and others to contribute a total of 340 million yen a year to the private-sector's share in the new compensation law for asbestos victims.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 30, 2006

Amnesty International on track with call for inquiry

NEW YORK -- An Amnesty International report severely criticizes the Israeli Defense Forces's behavior during the recent war in Lebanon and calls for an independent commission of inquiry. Such a commission should investigate the actions of not only the IDF but also Hezbollah, as civilians were the main...
BASKETBALL
Aug 28, 2006

Fun for USA in latest victory

SAITAMA -- Some wins trigger a sigh of relief -- and may cause severe heartburn. Other victories induce elation.
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2006

Ministry to seek 20.16 trillion yen for '07 welfare budget

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Friday it will ask for 20.16 trillion yen in social security outlays in the fiscal 2007 budget.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2006

Brewers basking in the summer economic heat but the future looks flat

As the summer heats up, the beer is flowing around backyard barbecue grills and rooftop beer gardens in city centers. And this year, a recovering economy is putting a little extra fizz into beer sales.
BUSINESS
Aug 11, 2006

Suds shipments slump to record low

Shipments of beer, "happoshu" low-malt beer and nonmalt, beerlike drinks by Japan's five top brewers in July fell 5.7 percent year on year to 47.50 million cases due to a long rainy spell that cooled demand, industry figures showed Thursday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 3, 2006

Kuroda best in July

Hiroshima Carp right-hander Hiroki Kuroda was named the MVP for the month of July after winning all four starts, including a shutout, during the month, the Central League said Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 1, 2006

Staffing companies find market in helping retired athletes

When international midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata recently announced his retirement from soccer, people wondered what he would do in the next stage of his life -- business, sports, or a combination of both?

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