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COMMENTARY / World
Sep 9, 2009

In Hatoyama's 'fraternity,' people the end, not means

An opinion piece by Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama that was originally published in the September edition of the Japanese monthly journal Voice has triggered controversy in the United States for appearing to have an antiglobalization bent.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 9, 2009

A soft spot for the good old/bad old Showa days

One vice I can't rid myself of is listening in on conversations between JK (an abbreviation for joshikōsei, 女子高生, or high school girls) on commuter trains. This has become easier these days due to the introduction of joseisenyōsharyō (女性専用車両, women-only cars) on almost every major...
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 8, 2009

U.S. ambassador serves a role most vital

The U.S. ambassadors chosen for Japan have long reflected Washington's dedication to Tokyo, as each successive nominee has drawn Tokyo government and media speculation of how bilateral ties will evolve.
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Sep 6, 2009

Two-time MVP Washington re-signs with Evessa

Two-time bj-league MVP Lynn Washington will return to the Osaka Evessa this season, he confirmed on Friday.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Sep 6, 2009

Media plays down landmark rent ruling

On July 23, the Kyoto District Court reached a verdict in a landlord-tenant dispute that found contract renewal fees common in rental agreements to be illegal. Kyodo News called it "a landmark ruling" with far-reaching implications.
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2009

New Komeito head to bow out

Four days after a devastating defeat in the Lower House general election, New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota announced Thursday he is stepping down to take responsibility for his party's poor showing.
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2009

Writer slams Google Book deal

A freelance journalist said Thursday he has sent a letter to a U.S. district court informing it of his "clear objection" to the controversial Google Book Search settlement.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2009

Futenma shift puts Hatoyama, U.S. ties to test

The next prime minister faces a possible showdown with Washington over a plan to relocate a U.S. air base in Okinawa and in the process move thousands of U.S. Marines from the prefecture to Guam, as he tries to remake his country's relationship with the U.S. while maintaining their strong alliance.
BUSINESS
Sep 4, 2009

Hino Motors to hire 900 temps

Hino Motors Ltd., the nation's biggest maker of heavy trucks, will hire 900 temporary workers starting this month as it predicts truck demand will increase in Asia.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2009

Rifts surface as DPJ seeks to woo allies

Fresh from Sunday's landslide Lower House election win, the Democratic Party of Japan officially kicked off talks Wednesday with its two small allies to form a coalition government, but the day's talks pointed to a rough road ahead.
BUSINESS
Sep 3, 2009

Microsoft cuts price of Xbox 25%

Microsoft Corp., the second-largest maker of video-game consoles, said Wednesday it will cut the price of its most powerful Xbox 360 player 25 percent in Japan, after a similar reduction in the U.S.
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2009

New consumer agency debuts

The government Tuesday inaugurated the Consumer Affairs Agency, a consolidated entity expected to better serve the public by bypassing the sectionalism of bureaucrats, but its new civil servant boss quickly drew fire from the Democratic Party of Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 2, 2009

Cell phone culture here unlike any other

Cell phones in Japan have evolved as a virtual extra appendage that people can't walk, ride or relax without, as they constantly peer into their screens, send and receive messages, play video games, watch TV, and sometimes even communicate verbally.
BUSINESS
Sep 2, 2009

Sony to sell TV plant to Taiwan firm

Sony Corp. has agreed to sell its main television factory in North America to a Taiwanese company as it struggles to cut costs and stem massive losses.
JAPAN
Sep 1, 2009

Ota not ready to throw in towel yet

New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota and Secretary General Kazuo Kitagawa, two surprise losers in the Lower House election, refused to say Monday whether they will step down over the party's devastating 10-seat loss.
Reader Mail
Aug 30, 2009

Responsibility of foreign guests

What inspired me to write was once again the possibly false assumptions pertaining to the reported recent arrest and nearly 10-day detention of a 74-year-old American man for carrying a pocketknife, including the implication that the knife in question had been carried on the plane by the tourist. The...
Reader Mail
Aug 30, 2009

Team America: the global shield

In his Aug. 23 letter, "U.S. military presence is a shield," Ted Shaw informs us that the U.S. military presence in Japan constitutes a "shield" that effectively protects Japan from external threats. I had previously been under the impression that the U.S. basing system was designed as a global show...
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Aug 29, 2009

Ex-NCAA star Abdul-Rauf signs with Kyoto Hannaryz

Ex-NBA shooting guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who rose to national prominence as one of college basketball's most prolific scorers, will play for the expansion Kyoto Hannaryz this season, the team has announced.
BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2009

Bonds may fall if DPJ wins: insurer

Government bonds may fall on concern that a landslide win by the Democratic Party of Japan in Sunday's election will lead to an increase in spending on social programs, according to Mitsui Sumitomo Kirameki Life Insurance Co.

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