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JAPAN
Jul 24, 2010

Reformist bar head works to raise way lawyers serve

Lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya has spent his career helping debtors overcome the burden of multiple loans, while pushing for legislation to reduce their numbers. An advocate for the underemployed, in 2008 he served as the honorary mayor of a makeshift "village" set up in Tokyo's Hibiya Park sheltering idled...
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2010

Okada, Clinton vow to keep Futenma agenda on course

HANOI (Kyodo) Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said Friday that he and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton State Hillary Clinton agreed in their meeting that it is important to gain the support of the people of Okinawa for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture....
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Jul 24, 2010

Seattle pair put sake on local map

Japan abounds with foreigners attracted by its cultural opportunities, who live in the country and eventually make a livelihood by specializing in attributes the country has to offer. Scattered across the world, their counterparts reside in towns in Europe or America, those who, after spending time in...
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 13, 2010

Kan can expect rocky road

Political experts were quick and unanimous Monday in forecasting a tough road ahead for the Democratic Party of Japan, expressing concern that its Upper House election loss will threaten Prime Minister Naoto Kan on all fronts.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jul 12, 2010

China is pleased with Kan but keeps tabs on Ozawa

China apparently views new Prime Minister Naoto Kan as easier to deal with than his predecessor Yukio Hatoyama, and has already started sending friendly signals to Tokyo in the hopes of promoting closer bilateral relations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 9, 2010

E-book sales enter brisk chapter

Japan's electronic book market gained about ¥10 billion in sales last year to reach ¥57.4 billion and is expected to exceed ¥130 billion in five years, a research company said Thursday.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / BY THE GLASS
Jul 9, 2010

Spanish vintners are shaping up

Ah, Spain . . . land of bullfights, football and flamenco. The current trend to celebrate all things Spanish means that we can be bound a little by stereotypes: Not all Spanish are hot-blooded, football mad, paella eaters. When it comes to wine too, we can be constrained by preconceptions, but there's...
JAPAN
Jul 8, 2010

Kobe-area cattle farmers hope foot-and-mouth steers clear

KOBE — Prized for its tender, marbled texture and succulent flavor, Kobe beef is a delicacy that can cost ¥19,000 for a slab of steak at some restaurants.
JAPAN / OKINAWA'S HOSTAGE ECONOMY
Jul 7, 2010

Futenma relocation has certain bidders salivating

NAGO, Okinawa Pref. — Last month an executive of a major construction company in Nago confessed what was considered a long-held industry secret in this city that is poised to be the replacement site for the Futenma military base: For decades most local contractors had rigged bids for public works projects,...
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jul 6, 2010

Despite 'wagyu's' history, foot-and-mouth hit hard

Although sushi may be the dish of choice for many Japanese, consumption of beef has greatly expanded in the country since it opened its doors to Western culture following the Meiji Restoration.
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2010

Fiscal rehab plan issued, draws fire

The government served up a fiscal reconstruction plan Tuesday that calls for achieving a surplus in the primary budget by the end of fiscal 2020 and keeping new bond issuance below this fiscal year's ¥44 trillion, but experts say the outline lacks specifics on how to curb the massive national debt or...
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 22, 2010

BBC World Service's vices

HONG KONG — If there is one global voice that has a deserved reputation for truth, honesty, fairness, awareness, understanding and balance, it is the BBC, as almost everyone knows the British Broadcasting Corp., and its World Service radio programs.
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jun 21, 2010

Janus-faced Russia hiding its snarls from the West

Diplomats in many corners of the world are puzzled by what appears to be a fundamental shift in Russia's foreign policies in recent months, from a strategy based on threat and intimidation to one of a low profile seeking friendship, especially with Western countries. Their consensus, however, is that...
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 20, 2010

A presumptuous command of oil

HONG KONG — Bosses of Big Oil have solemnly assured a U.S. congressional inquiry that they would never, ever, be as reckless or negligent as BP in causing the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Jun 20, 2010

Towering ambition

One sunny Saturday last month, Hitachi Ltd., Japan's largest electronics maker, made headlines when it hosted a rare tour of its spanking new elevator-testing tower — the world's tallest — at its sprawling facility in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 8, 2010

Whether covered or brazen, tattoos make a statement

Tattoos have long occupied a place in Japanese society, generally in the shadows of the underworld and the realm of taboo.
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Jun 5, 2010

Rare gator snappers invaders by default?

We are introducing a new section that will appear weekly in collaboration with the Chunichi Shimbun featuring topics and issues from the Chubu region covered by the newspaper.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 5, 2010

Kan needs to balance U.S. ties, China's clout

The new administration Prime Minister Naoto Kan will form next week won't have much time to act when it comes to foreign affairs.
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2010

Quiet end to a vexed tenure

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama returned to his office Wednesday minutes after announcing his resignation and was greeted by hoards of reporters expecting a comment from the once-popular leader.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jun 1, 2010

Hoped-for Chinese stand against North not in cards

Officially, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing have vowed to keep in close contact over North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean warship, but critics don't expect China to join other countries in adopting a United Nations resolution against Pyongyang.

Longform

Japan's growing ranks of centenarians are redefining what it means to live in a super-aging society.
What comes after 100?