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COMMENTARY / World
Jan 19, 2006

Aussies tackle global warming

SYDNEY -- Amid exploding energy demand from Asia-Pacific countries, resource-rich Australia has emerged as a leader of planned energy supply and use into the foreseeable future.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 19, 2006

"Stuff Happens" : So what do you think about it?

The night I got back home from the premiere of "Stuff Happens," the BBC World television news led off with a report on a further mess in Iraq -- the chief judge in the trial of deposed president Saddam Hussein had resigned following criticism of his "soft attitude" toward the defendant. I felt strongly...
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Tanigaki backs female monarchs, says continuity important

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, considered a candidate to be the next prime minister, said Tuesday he supports the idea that females and their descendants should be allowed to ascend the Imperial throne.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Foreign tourists hit record high 6.73 million

The number of foreign tourists to Japan in 2005 is estimated to have been a record high 6.73 million, up 590,000 from the previous year, transport chief Kazuo Kitagawa said Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 18, 2006

Huser boss clams up before the Diet

Huser Ltd. President Susumu Ojima refused to answer most questions under oath Tuesday before a Diet committee in connection with the nationwide building safety scam in which his condominium development firm is a key player.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Jan 18, 2006

Half-truths to the aid of conservation

Let's just imagine for a moment that you are a conservationist. You discover, or become aware of, the breeding location of a rare mammal or bird, or of a site where there is an endangered plant growing. What do you do?
BUSINESS
Jan 18, 2006

Livedoor raid stirs up fear of Net stocks

The Nikkei stock average fell below the 16,000 line Tuesday as worried investors sold off Internet stocks amid the dust kicked up by prosecutors' search of Livedoor Co. over suspected securities law violations.
BUSINESS
Jan 17, 2006

Kato named to take helm at Kirin

Kirin Brewery Co. said Monday that Kazuyasu Kato, current managing director in charge of sales and marketing, will replace Koichiro Aramaki as president of the country's second-largest beer brewer, pending shareholder approval in March.
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2006

Five people die in snow-related mishaps

At least five people died Saturday in snow-related incidents in Niigata, Nagano and Akita prefectures, and five avalanches were reported as the weather turned warmer throughout the country.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2006

No-cost childbirth mulled to boost population

The government will consider introducing a system to bear all direct costs for childbirth -- including hospitalization for mothers -- in a bid to encourage young couples to have more kids, a government minister said Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2006

Aso also wants Yasukuni to be LDP poll nonissue

Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Friday he thinks visiting Yasukuni Shrine should not be an issue in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race this fall, echoing remarks by the prime minister and the top government spokesman.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2006

U.S. presents detailed plans on realignment of military

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Japan and the United States ended a two-day senior working-level meeting Thursday with the U.S. side presenting detailed plans for implementing an agreement made in October on the realignment of the U.S. military presence in Japan.
JAPAN
Jan 14, 2006

Ministers unite against terrorism

Transport officials from 14 countries wrapped up a two-day international counterterrorism conference Friday in Tokyo with a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to ensuring transport security through international cooperation and capacity-building assistance for developing countries.
BUSINESS
Jan 14, 2006

Fuji Heavy to beef up Subaru sales, reduce outlets in streamlining plan

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. said Friday it will reduce the number of sales outlets in Japan from 39 to 33 by October as part of efforts to make its sales operations more effective while aiming to increase global sales of its Subaru cars.
BUSINESS
Jan 14, 2006

Oil sands mission headed to Canada

Japan will dispatch its first public-private weeklong mission to Alberta on Saturday to study the feasibility of exploiting its oil sands, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Friday.
BUSINESS
Jan 14, 2006

Skylark calls founder out of retirement

Skylark Co. said Friday one of its founders will come back to steer the firm in its ambitious growth strategy.
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2006

13 tainted hotels mulling lawsuits

The operators of 13 hotels built or designed based on false quake-resistance data plan to file lawsuits against local governments or state-designated building inspection firms for failing to detect the faulty plans, a Kyodo News survey released Thursday.
JAPAN
Jan 12, 2006

Terror fight turns anew to fingerprints

Japan would fingerprint foreigners, expel suspected terrorists and oblige airlines to provide passenger lists under counterterrorism plans proposed by the Justice Ministry, an immigration official said Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 12, 2006

Turbulent times for Mr. Bush

For U.S. President George W. Bush, 2005 turned out to be an unusually tough year. Having won re-election -- something his father had failed to achieve, Mr. Bush had started out on his second term as a historic second-generation president of the United States. But the initial euphoria proved short-lived....
BUSINESS
Jan 12, 2006

Okamoto debuts spermicide condoms

Top condom maker Okamoto Industries Inc. announced Wednesday it will start selling the country's first spermicide-coated condom Feb. 1, hoping to stimulate the flagging domestic prophylactics market.
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2006

Japan Post sues Seibu, Kokudo and Tsutsumi

Japan Post sued Seibu Railway Co. and two other parties Tuesday, demanding 3.67 billion yen in damages for the investment loss it incurred due to the 2004 delisting of Seibu Railway following fabrications of its financial statements.
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2006

Yasukuni visits shouldn't be an issue in LDP presidential election, Abe says

Contenders for the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election should avoid making an issue out of Yasukuni Shrine, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Jan 11, 2006

Privee takes top Hankyu stake

Privee Zurich Turnaround Group Co. has become the largest stockholder in Hankyu Holdings Inc. through an acquisition of 5.01 percent of the firm's outstanding shares, according to a report filed with financial authorities Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2006

Better ties sought through radio

A Japanese woman deeply worried about the growing antagonism between Japan and China wants young Chinese to tune into her radio program, tap into Japanese youth culture and eventually help expand the horizons for bilateral ties.

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