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BUSINESS
Aug 27, 2009

Taxi operator, U.S. developer to test switchable batteries

Better Place, a U.S. developer of electric vehicle infrastructure, said Wednesday it will partner with Tokyo taxi operator Nihon Kotsu on a pilot project for cabs using switchable batteries next January.
COMMENTARY
Aug 27, 2009

Are green shoots sprouting?

Is recovery from the global recession already under way? In Germany, France and the United States, authoritative voices are declaring the recession over and telling us that growth has resumed. And now the same view is heard in Japan. Yes, if you take a magnifying glass you can see tiny little specks...
SPORTS / BOOS AND BRAVOS
Aug 26, 2009

Lowlights, highlights make sports compelling every week

Editor's note: This is the first in an occasional column that highlights feats and disappointments in Japanese sports. (This column was originally filed on Aug. 20).
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / HAVE YOUR SAY
Aug 25, 2009

One pocket knife, nine days' lockup

Following are a selection of readers' responses to the July 28 Hotline to Nagatacho column headlined "Pocket knife lands tourist, 74, in lockup."
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Aug 25, 2009

Pop 'idol' phenomenon fades into dispersion

The arrest of singer-actress Noriko Sakai, 38, this month in connection with illegal drugs shattered the image of a star who in the 1980s parlayed being cute and innocent into idol status.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Aug 23, 2009

Obama hails Lincoln — but is he on course to fail the LBJ way?

"Some of our bankers had shown themselves either incompetent or dishonest in their handling of the people's funds. They had used the money entrusted to them in speculations and unwise loans. . . . It was the government's job to straighten out this situation and do it as quickly as possible, and the job...
JAPAN / ELECTION 2009
Aug 22, 2009

LDP kept voters at bay while watching popularity ebb

Just four years ago the ruling Liberal Democratic Party was flying high with strong public support under then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
BASKETBALL
Aug 21, 2009

Miyazaki, Shimane to join bj-league

The fast-growing, upstart bj-league will feature 16 teams for the 2010-11 season, the league announced on Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Aug 21, 2009

BOJ may set preconditions for raising rates

The Bank of Japan may consider setting preconditions for ending its policy of keeping interest rates near zero should the economy deteriorate and deflation take hold, BOJ Policy Board member Atsushi Mizuno said Thursday. "It is an option to show our commitment to keep interest rates at extremely low...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Aug 21, 2009

Ivan Ramen: Artisan ramen with NY accent

"Eat ramen here." It's the kind of illuminated sign you might expect to see outside a restaurant in central London or New York. To find it over the door of a one-counter noodle joint on an old-fashioned shopping arcade in the western suburbs of Tokyo is, however, little short of bizarre.
JAPAN
Aug 19, 2009

Focus for many is on how big DPJ win might be

Most observers are betting the Democratic Party of Japan will win the Aug. 30 Lower House election, with their focus now on just how big the DPJ's victory will be.
BASKETBALL
Aug 19, 2009

Takushi, Hannaryz reach deal

Point guard Naoto Takushi has agreed to terms on a contract with the Kyoto Hannaryz, the team announced in a news release over the weekend.
JAPAN / ELECTION 2009
Aug 16, 2009

'Telepolitics,' polls shake up status quo

Japanese politics has been in a chaotic state for the past few years, perplexing millions of voters. The country has seen four prime ministers in the past three years, and the latest — Taro Aso — could be forced out if the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition force, grabs power in the...
EDITORIALS
Aug 16, 2009

The rich go to college

In Japan, the more parents earn, the higher their children's academic test scores, a new survey has revealed. Commissioned by the Education, Science and Technology Ministry, the survey results released last month show a clear link between parental income and test results.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 16, 2009

Foreigners size up lay judge system

The launch of the lay judge system for criminal trials is being observed with great interest overseas, where public participation in court cases is well established, a prominent expert on the U.S. jury system said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / WITNESS TO WAR
Aug 14, 2009

For vet, Soviet labor camp as bad as war

24th in a series
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Aug 14, 2009

Dancing to N.Y. and back

Trying to rate the energy levels of a troupe of Broadway performers is like looking at a group of ants and trying to work out which is walking the fastest. They all seem to be going at 120 percent.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Japan Pulse
Aug 13, 2009

Fell in love with a Gypsy

Ever seen 200 Japanese kids mosh to accordions and violins? It's magnificent.

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