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COMMENTARY
Jul 25, 2004

Gender imbalance exacting social costs

HONG KONG -- A quarter of a century ago, China decided to focus on economic development rather than Maoist class struggle. As part of that drive, it adopted a policy of limiting population growth with couples allowed to have only one child in the cities. Chinese officials say that as a result, 300 million...
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2004

Foreign Ministry reorganizes to boost crisis-management

The Foreign Ministry will upgrade its consular affairs department to a bureau and create senior crisis management posts to better ensure the safety of Japanese abroad, according to ministry officials.
EDITORIALS
May 15, 2004

A reprieve on interest rates

As expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board last week decided to keep short-term interest rates at a 46-year low. Concerns about the fragility of the U.S. economic recovery prevailed over fears of a new bout of inflation. But the Fed signaled its readiness to raise interest rates soon if prices appear...
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
May 8, 2004

Porto's Mourinho in line to be new manager of Chelsea

LONDON -- According to various back-page "exclusives" over the past week, Chelsea is buying Walter Samuel (Roma -- £15 million), David Beckham and Ronaldo (Real Madrid -- combined fee of £100,000 million), Ronaldinho (Barcelona -- £60 million), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool -- £30 million) and any other...
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2004

Koizumi swipe at 'terrorists' downplayed

Government officials tried to play down allegations Wednesday that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has prolonged the crisis over three Japanese being held hostage in Iraq by calling their captors "terrorists."
JAPAN
Mar 12, 2004

Chinese being frozen out of student visa process

Things are looking pretty grim for Chinese students who have their sights set on pursuing their Japanese language studies here.
COMMENTARY
Mar 4, 2004

China shines as host at arduous standoff

HONG KONG -- The second round of the six-party talks in Beijing on North Korea's nuclear weapons program went off relatively well even though there was no breakthrough. While the United States and North Korea may not agree on much, both agreed that China had done an excellent job as host and mediator....
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 28, 2004

Troubles cast a shadow on EU future

LONDON -- Europe's currency has never been stronger. The European Union has been portrayed as a "post modern" association of states that have moved beyond the use of force to a more rational organization of their relations. Though still hobbled by inflexibilities, its economies are forecast to show stronger...
EDITORIALS
Jan 21, 2004

Reform key to Mr. Koizumi's future

In his policy speech to the Diet on Monday, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi spent a considerable amount of time trying to convince a public that is skeptical about sending Self-Defense Force troops to Iraq to provide humanitarian aid and assist with reconstruction. It is not clear whether he succeeded...
JAPAN
Jan 17, 2004

GSDF advance team departs for Iraq

A 30-member Ground Self-Defense Force advance team left Friday from Narita airport bound for Iraq, marking the first time Japan has sent troops to a nation experiencing conflict since World War II.
BUSINESS
Jan 16, 2004

Cow zygotes from BSE-hit nations get import nod

Japan plans to lift an import ban on cow zygotes from nations hit by mad cow disease following a recommendation by a government food safety panel.
EDITORIALS
Dec 11, 2003

The most risky mission yet

Japan is preparing to send Self-Defense Force troops to Iraq for a period ending one year from Monday. Their dispatch, which is expected to begin early next year, is based on the assumption that they will operate in noncombat areas to help rebuild the war-torn country. According to the plan approved...
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2003

Xenophobia aside, Japan said to need foreign labor

OSAKA -- Although immigrant labor can play a key role in creating economic growth and vitality in Japan, serious debate on the issue has been stymied by traditional reluctance to welcome foreigners, sensationalized media coverage of the rise in crimes by foreigners and xenophobic comments by rightwing...
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Nov 13, 2003

Poor farmers pay price for subsidies

Beyond the negotiations and protesters that highlight agricultural trade talks lies a simple reality: In the end, each nation must feed its own people.
COMMENTARY
Nov 4, 2003

True structural reform tied to end of bureaucratic rule

The biggest question in the Nov. 9 Lower House election is which side should take power -- a coalition headed by the Liberal Democratic Party or an alliance led by the Democratic Party of Japan. Also at stake is whether Japanese politics will be able to extricate itself from bureaucratic control.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2003

Ishiba looks to widen SDF's global remit

Japan should use its Self-Defense Forces to contribute to world peace and stability, Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Oct 15, 2003

Settling for less than peace

The Israeli government's recent announcement that it planned to build more than 600 homes in West Bank settlements is another stake through the heart of the "road map" for peace between Palestinians and Israelis. There is no reason to expand this construction -- other than a desire to create "facts on...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Sep 20, 2003

Summer insect tourism slows to a crawl

Good morning, thanks for joining "Good Morning Insects!" for today's top news. My name is Goki Buri.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Sep 6, 2003

Twenty-five years in Japan makes this old hand a 'half'

Late this past summer, I officially became a "half."
EDITORIALS
Apr 19, 2003

U.N. resolution in abduction cases

The nuclear standoff with North Korea has tended to overshadow the country's human rights abuses, including the abduction of Japanese nationals. It is fitting, therefore, that the U.N. Human Rights Commission has adopted a resolution condemning Pyongyang's human rights record.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 5, 2003

Don't bargain Taiwan away

U.S. policy toward China underwent a major change in 2001. The new president, George W. Bush, viewed China as a rising power, intent on changing the Asian balance of power in its favor, and a threat to U.S. interests. In marked contrast to former President Bill Clinton, who called China "a strategic...
JAPAN
Mar 29, 2003

Two asylum seekers arrive in Japan

A Japanese woman and her daughter who fled from North Korea arrived Friday in Japan from China after being under protection for about a month at the Japanese Consulate General in Shenyang.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 21, 2003

Jet-setter Dewi Sukarno takes on Japan

After securing a quiet nook in the lounge of a plush Tokyo hotel-cum-meeting-place, Madame Dewi spreads out a portfolio of personal photographs on the coffee table before her.
BUSINESS
Feb 20, 2003

Japan's problems unlikely to dominate G7 meet

Japan hopes to win global support for its fight against deflation when finance chiefs from the Group of Seven major economic powers gather in Paris over the weekend, but financial experts believe that Tokyo will be hard-pressed in achieving its goal.
JAPAN
Feb 20, 2003

Japan, China, South Korea scholars to debate history texts

Scholars and educators from Japan, China and South Korea will hold a three-day symposium in Tokyo starting Feb. 27 to discuss history textbooks and related issues.
EDITORIALS
Feb 18, 2003

Heed the voice of the people

Last weekend, more than 6 million people demonstrated worldwide, pleading for peace and protesting U.S. plans to wage war against Iraq. The demonstrations, the largest since the Vietnam War, are proof that U.S. President George W. Bush has not convinced the world that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein poses...

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji