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JAPAN
Sep 17, 2009

Politicians to lead but knowhow of mandarins vital: Hatoyama

New Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama vowed Wednesday to create an administration that will break the strong grip of bureaucrats on policymaking and budgets.
BUSINESS
Sep 17, 2009

Big changes to budget process expected under DPJ

Ending more than half a century of almost unbroken Liberal Democratic Party rule, the administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan that was formed Wednesday is expected to bring major changes to the nation's governance.
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2009

Voters want end to pork-barrel politics

As the Democratic Party of Japan formed one of the most hotly anticipated Cabinets in decades, many voters voiced hope the new administration will put a stop to wasteful spending while others remained skeptical it will be able to deliver on its key campaign promises.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2009

Hatoyama ushers in new era in politics

Japan saw the dawning of a new political era Wednesday as Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama became prime minister, ending five decades of almost unbroken rule by the conservative Liberal Democratic Party.
BASEBALL / SPORTS SCOPE
Sep 16, 2009

Ichiro certain to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer

There were a number of doubters nine years ago when Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese position player in Major League Baseball.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2009

Birkin seeks Myanmar sanctions

British singer and actress Jane Birkin held a news conference Tuesday in Tokyo to urge the incoming government to pressure Myanmar's military junta to promote democracy.
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2009

Vowing reform, Tanigaki makes bid to become LDP president

Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Sadakazu Tanigaki declared Tuesday his candidacy to become party president, vowing to reform and strengthen the former ruling party following its recent electoral drubbing.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 15, 2009

Community groups provide lifelines in many ways

If you spot a festival or sporting event taking place in your neighborhood, chances are it was organized by the local neighborhood association.
BUSINESS
Sep 15, 2009

Firms leery of DPJ emissions vow

Despite plaudits from the international community, Japanese business remains critical of the Democratic Party of Japan's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS / ICE TIME
Sep 13, 2009

Unhappy alliance: Reeds' mom blasts JSF over funding

The Japan Skating Federation, which has been found wanting in its support of skaters in the past, is once again being called out for its lack of commitment.
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2009

MSDF tour serves Japan, DPJ told

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said Friday the incoming government led by the Democratic Party of Japan must clarify how it intends to participate in the war on terrorism if it intends to end the Maritime Self-Defense Force's mission in the Indian Ocean.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Sep 12, 2009

England's performance raises expectations

LONDON — So far so very good.
COMMUNITY
Sep 12, 2009

Living near the Diet as it awaits newcomers

It was about 10 a.m. on a recent morning when, riding my bicycle to work, I saw a man dressed as a horse and carrying a plastic bow and arrow gallop toward the Diet building. I stopped to watch. Tourists pointed and gawked. Two baton-wielding police ran over to rein the horse-man in.
BUSINESS
Sep 12, 2009

JAL hoping DPJ doesn't cut loans

Japan Airlines Corp., the recipient of three government bailouts since 2001, will find out soon if the rules have changed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Japan Pulse
Sep 11, 2009

New strapless facemask may ruffle a few feathers

Need a new faskmask for the flu season? Go strapless . . . if you dare.
SPORTS / BOOS AND BRAVOS
Sep 11, 2009

Matsui's August exploits prove he can still be a dependable hitter

BRAVO — Who says Godzilla has reached the point where he's no longer a valuable contributor on the baseball field?
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2009

Incoming first lady has already made a big splash

Fresh off an accord to form a coalition with two minor parties, Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama began compiling a list Thursday of possible candidates to form his new administration.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2009

Women lack confidence, ambition for Diet: experts

Although last month's election brought an unprecedented number of women into the Lower House, female lawmakers both at home and abroad are still subject to double standards and lack the ambition to take the stage in national politics, experts said at a recent symposium.
EDITORIALS
Sep 10, 2009

Some progress from the G20

The global recession may have found its floor, but efforts to ensure that the crisis does not repeat itself continue to be frustrated. That was the message from last weekend's meeting of Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers. There is consensus on the need to stop the obscene payments to...
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2009

Interpreters put to first test in lay judge trial

SAITAMA — Court interpreters were put to the test Wednesday as the first lay judge trial of a foreign defendant drew on their language and translation skills at the Saitama District Court.
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2009

Bureaucrats may fret but DPJ win has world's attention

Foreign Ministry bureaucrats have yet to fully grasp the policies of the Democratic Party of Japan, but some are welcoming the level of attention the party is generating overseas, especially in the United States, saying there is strong interest in Japan's diplomacy for the first time in decades.
JAPAN
Sep 10, 2009

Hatoyama tries to tread line between change, status quo

OSAKA — When Yukio Hatoyama makes his international debut as the new prime minister later this month at the United Nations and in Pittsburgh at the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit, he'll be discussing Japan's new policies on everything from the environment to the global economy with President Barack Obama...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Japan Pulse
Sep 9, 2009

A pinch of salt and a pound of chocolate

Combining salt and chocolate has been around since the 1500's but only recently has the savory-sweet combo been tickling tastebuds in Japan.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years