Search - news

 
 
JAPAN
Jul 6, 2007

Japan to sue over boat seizure by Russians

detention," he said in a news conference. The fishing boat Hoshin Maru No. 88 from Toyama Prefecture and all 17 men aboard were seized June 1 in waters east of the Kamchatka Peninsula for allegedly violating fishing regulations.
JAPAN
Jul 6, 2007

Abe advances pension cleanup dates as public fumes

Embattled Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Thursday that he would move up the timetable for taking care of the public pension record-keeping debacle as public fury builds ahead of the crucial House of Councilors election later this month.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 6, 2007

'Koi Suru Nichiyobi Watashi Koi Shita'

In the 1990s the WOWOW satellite station financed a series of films under the banner J Movie Wars. With producer Takenori Sento at the helm, J Movies Wars became a fertile breeding ground for young directing talent, including Naomi Kawase, who won the Cannes Camera d'Or prize in 1997 for her debut feature...
CULTURE / Film
Jul 6, 2007

Harry Potter flies into Tokyo

Last week 17-year-old Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe was in Roppongi Hills in Tokyo for the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and during a news conference he chatted — with producer David Heyman — about the new movie, which opens July 20 in Japan.
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2007

Kyuma incident rekindles A-bomb debate

Fumio Kyuma's resignation Tuesday as defense minister over his remarks on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has spotlighted the still sharply divided perception gap between Japan and the United States over what some see as one of the most horrific war atrocities in history.
MORE SPORTS
Jul 5, 2007

Kinoshita gets chance to live dream

A new hope is born, and he could be the last hope as well.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 5, 2007

Angelina Jolie true to her 'heart'

The Japan Times gets close and personal with Hollywood's hottie-cum-humanitarian on making films with a message, being hounded by the media — and life with Brad Pitt.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2007

Kyuma exits over A-bomb gaffe

made a grave decision as a politician and a Cabinet minister," Abe told reporters. "I respect his decision." Kyuma's resignation comes as the already beleaguered Abe prepares to lead his Liberal Democratic Party into the July 29 House of Councilors election.
JAPAN
Jul 4, 2007

Candidate Tojo seeks resolution against A-bombings

The granddaughter of wartime Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo said Tuesday in Tokyo that if she wins a seat in this month's House of Councilors election, she will submit a resolution to the Diet slamming the United States for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
JAPAN
Jul 3, 2007

Ex-judge denied visit to inmate

to hand down a guilty verdict on Hakamada, but I was unable to persuade the two other judges of his innocence," he told a news conference in March. Kumamoto told a gathering of Hakamada's supporters Sunday that he still regrets the conviction.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 3, 2007

How Japanese tax-payers' money is lost in bid-rigging

Every few years, politicians, bureaucrats and construction company bigwigs get embroiled in bid-rigging scandals — and the public's faith in government sinks deeper.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Jul 1, 2007

Food for thought — and a writ to go

Dear Reader: Today I bring you news of the most chilling and awful purport. Don't worry, it doesn't affect you — at least I hope it doesn't. It is yours truly who is getting the short end of the chopstick on this one. I tell you, I feel as if I've been reborn with a greasy spoon in my mouth — but...
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jul 1, 2007

Immigrant workers in Japan caught in a real racket

The debate over whether Japan should allow foreign workers in to make up for current and future labor shortages is dominated by the so-called foreign trainee program, which is overseen by the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO). The program is itself the subject of a debate,...
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2007

Miss Universe director turns Japanese into women of world

and "sekushii" (sexy) woman. "The kawaii concept is for 12-year-old girls," she said. "Real beauty for women comes from the inside. It's a mental thing. It's about sensuality and intelligence."
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2007

Doutor investors OK tieup with restaurant operator

Doutor Coffee Co. shareholders voted in favor of the company's proposed integration with Nippon Restaurant System Inc. on Thursday, undeterred by opposition from investment fund Harbinger Capital Partners, the largest outside shareholder in Doutor.
EDITORIALS
Jun 29, 2007

Jockeying for a favorable impression

The successful push by the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito to extend the Diet session by 12 days to July 5 appears to represent a partisan move to change the political situation in the coalition's favor. This is the ninth extension of a regular Diet session held before a scheduled...
BUSINESS
Jun 29, 2007

TBS wins proxy fight to get takeover-defense measures

Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. scored a victory in a proxy fight Thursday with Rakuten Inc. as its shareholders approved the broadcaster's plan to introduce takeover-defense measures that could foil the Internet mall operator's attempt to increase its stake in TBS to more than 20 percent.
EDITORIALS
Jun 28, 2007

A bid to shake up U.S. politics

There is still a year and a half before the next U.S. presidential election, but campaigning is already intense. Even though there is no shortage of candidates from the two main parties, attention is now focusing on an as-yet undeclared candidate who may run as an independent. His denials notwithstanding,...

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