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Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
May 5, 2002

Vineyards of New World beckon in warm weather

Only a decade ago, adventure and good value were tough to find in Japan's wine market. Wine lovers traded news of secret finds. We carried treasured bottles back from trips overseas. We called up buddies and huddled together to relish the long-saved treat of a wine unavailable in Japan. The rituals bore...
JAPAN
May 4, 2002

Tide turns against Koizumi as voters give up hope: poll

More people disapprove of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet than those who approve of it for the first time since the Cabinet's inauguration last April, according to the results of a Kyodo News telephone poll.
BUSINESS
May 4, 2002

52% of firms expect October-March upturn

Some 52 percent of major companies expect an economic upturn in the latter half of the current business year, according to a recent survey by Kyodo News released Friday.
JAPAN
May 2, 2002

Bid-rigging scandal entangles engineering firm

As the investigation continues into the suspected bid-rigging case involving the top aide to Lower House member Muneo Suzuki, prosecutors now believe that the initiative for the scheme was taken by a Tokyo-based engineering firm.
JAPAN
May 2, 2002

Crown Prince's ex-chamberlain to head household

Hideki Hayashida, former chief chamberlain to Crown Prince Naruhito, on Wednesday became the top official in charge of the Crown Prince's Household.
BASEBALL / MLB
May 2, 2002

Dragons subdue Tigers 5-0

Chunichi hurler Makoto Kito combined with four relievers on an eight-hit shutout as the Dragons silenced the Central League-leading Hanshin Tigers 5-0 at Koshien Stadium on Wednesday.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
May 1, 2002

Lopez puts tantrum behind him

Hiroshima Carp first baseman Luis Lopez says the problem between him and outfielder Tomonori Maeda has been put to rest. Marty Kuehnert, in his April 10 "Keen Edge" column, described how the teammates had nearly come to blows after Maeda twice failed to score from second base on outfield hits by Lopez...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2002

Bottom line for recent CPA grad, 71, is to keep at it with immortal energy

For Masahiko Tanabe, 71, the secret to staying young is to stay curious. Having worked in the technological and petrochemical fields for more than 45 years, Tanabe's fascination with accounting led him to acquire a degree as a U.S. certified public accountant at the age of 70.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 29, 2002

When in Latvia, bring your own doctor

Ryan Kuwabara is a key member of Japan's national ice hockey team currently playing at the Pool A World Championships in Sweden. Kuwabara, a Japanese-Canadian who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens and now stars for Japan Ice Hockey League champion Kokudo, has agreed once again to keep a journal chronicling...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Apr 28, 2002

Stop the presses

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 11, 1946, it was quiet in The Japan Times newsroom in central Tokyo. The deadline for the next day's first edition had passed, and day-shift editors were ready to pack up and leave. Then, with no prior warning, a surprise visitor appeared in their midst.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 28, 2002

Public rests easy with cash under the futon

As the scandals keep a-comin', the citizens are receiving what many believe is a healthy and long overdue reality check about those whom they've entrusted with their collective well-being. Politicians have always been suspicious types and bureaucrats only slightly less so. But now teachers, policemen...
JAPAN
Apr 27, 2002

Koizumi determined to push four postal bills through Diet

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his strong determination Friday to clear all four bills on postal services deregulation in the current Diet session, braving fierce opposition from both the ruling and opposition blocs.
JAPAN
Apr 27, 2002

Troublemakers quit Foreign Ministry

Ambassador to the Netherlands Kazuhiko Togo and Ambassador to Kazakstan Toshimitsu Mori left the Foreign Ministry on Friday for their respective roles in inciting policy division within the Russian Affairs Bureau.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 26, 2002

Revulsion grows toward Vajpayee's party

NEW DELHI -- India's secularism is in flames. The western Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps the most economically prosperous region in the entire country, has been in the midst of communal carnage for many weeks now. The majority Hindu population there has been systematically butchering members of the...
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 25, 2002

Tokyo Verdy picks Sandri as new manager

Tokyo Verdy named Brazilian Lori Sandri as the struggling J. League First Division club's new manager Tuesday.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 25, 2002

Former Soviet dissident: U.S. overconfidence poses danger

MOSCOW -- Roi Medvedev, a Russian historian, was born in 1925 in Tbilisi, Georgia. After graduating from Leningrad University, he joined the Soviet Communist Party in 1956 and became a researcher at the Education Academy. In 1969 he was purged from the party following the publication of his book "Let...
BUSINESS
Apr 25, 2002

J-Phone delays launch of 3G for second time

In a move that may cast fresh doubt over the next-generation mobile phone business, J-Phone Co. said Wednesday it will postpone its launch of third-generation cellular phone service again from June to December.
LIFE / Digital
Apr 25, 2002

Broadband security: put a lock on the back door

It's late one evening last July, and a green activity light is blinking on the front of the DSL modem next to my desk.
BUSINESS
Apr 25, 2002

Shiokawa seeks tax revenue equilibrium by 2010

Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Wednesday his ministry will seek to balance tax reductions with increases by 2010, reiterating his support for quick tax breaks to spur the economy.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 24, 2002

Le Pen's shocking win shakes France to the core

PARIS -- France's presidential election system is meant to ensure both a maximum of democracy and the emergence of a strong national leadership at the end of the two rounds of voting. That was the model set by Gen. Charles de Gaulle when he established the Fifth Republic four decades ago.
BUSINESS
Apr 24, 2002

Yanagisawa seeks reports from 'chogin'

Financial Services Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa said Tuesday he is seeking reports from four pro-Pyongyang credit unions to be created to take over six failed ones, on their relations with the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 24, 2002

Nationwide HIV support network set up

A nationwide network to support people infected with HIV and people with full-blown AIDS has been established by Hiroshi Hasegawa, who is HIV-positive.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2002

Japan Prize laureates hope technologies will be used for good

Three scientists who won the 2002 Japan Prize expressed hopes Monday that their achievements will be utilized to enhance the welfare of people the world over.
BUSINESS
Apr 23, 2002

Four firms to forge major Net alliance

NEC Corp., KDDI Corp., Japan Telecom Co. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said Monday they will jointly develop broadband Internet content and services.
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 23, 2002

Inamoto, Kawaguchi to play in Kirin Cup

Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Daisuke Oku and two of the four Europe-based players -- Portsmouth goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Arsenal midfielder Junichi Inamoto -- have been added to Japan's Kirin Cup squad, national team coach Philippe Troussier announced Monday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS
Apr 22, 2002

Over 30% of firms to reduce recruitment due to IT slump

More than 30 percent of 150 major companies are planning to cut new recruitment next spring, mainly due to the slump in the information technology industry, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.

Longform

Dangami House is a 180-year-old former samurai residence of the Kato clan, who ruled over Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, until the Meiji Restoration.
A house, a legacy and the quiet work of restoration in rural Japan