Search - 2003

 
 
BUSINESS
Dec 14, 2007

Tax proposals extend breaks, avoid hike in consumption tax

The Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc on Thursday released tax reform proposals for fiscal 2008, including a two-year extension for tax breaks on capital gains, that indicate it is trying to support Japan's turmoil-stricken stock market.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 14, 2007

Two plays to cross the generations

Over the winter holiday entertainment season, two musical dramas stand out — one especially for children, the other for everyone, but both are tried-and-tested from previous premiere stagings.
SOCCER
Dec 13, 2007

Boca Juniors advance to final

Boca Juniors kept up appearances when they booked their spot in the Club World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Tunisia's Etoile Sahel on Wednesday evening.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 13, 2007

Reds looking forward to showdown with AC Milan

Urawa Reds coach Holger Osieck believes his team can complete mission impossible by beating Italian giants AC Milan in the semifinals of the Club World Cup on Thursday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Dec 13, 2007

Former Lotte ace to retire

Tomohiro Kuroki, once the Lotte Marines' ace pitcher, announced his retirement Wednesday after receiving no offers from other teams.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 13, 2007

Tehran's 'less is more' nuclear policy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The recent United States National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), which reports that Iran once had a "nuclear weapons program" but suspended it in 2003, means that there will probably be no American attack on Iran during the Bush administration. How could America's president explain...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 13, 2007

'What is Hollywood anyway?'

Ken Watanabe's latest film opens with an image of a polar bear resurfacing into the brilliant spring sunlight after months living underground. It's tempting to see the scene as a metaphor for a career that has alternated between stretches of intense, highly acclaimed work and long periods of hibernation....
BUSINESS
Dec 13, 2007

Mizuho to set up Saudi bank

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. plans to set up an investment bank in Saudi Arabia, home to the world's best-performing stock market this quarter.
EDITORIALS
Dec 11, 2007

Strengthening civilian control of SDF

A panel consisting of the chief Cabinet secretary, the defense minister and experts has started discussions on reform of the Defense Ministry. It is to issue an interim report in February. Its establishment was preceded by two serious incidents: the Nov. 28 arrest of former Vice Defense Minister Takemasa...
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2007

Osaka governor candidates slow to emerge

OSAKA — Position Wanted: Popular and well-known public figure with an interest in local politics. Must have the ability to skillfully negotiate with central government bureaucrats and have good relations with the local business community.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 11, 2007

Hemp OK as rope, not as dope

A Justice Ministry report released last month says the number of Cannabis Control Law violations set a record in 2006, while the amount of marijuana seized dropped to half from the previous year.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 11, 2007

'Eikaiwa' firms face Nova fallout

Too big, too fast, and with too little quality — that's the consensus view of many industry analysts on former language-school market leader Nova Corp., whose collapse left over 420,000 students and 4,000 non-Japanese instructors without an "eikaiwa" home.
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2007

Merchants most pessimistic in four years: survey

Merchants in November became the most pessimistic they've been in four years as stagnant wages and record gasoline prices prompt consumers to pare spending.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Dec 9, 2007

Oh's love for game, people endures

Sometimes the reality really is greater than the legend.
EDITORIALS
Dec 9, 2007

Good news about Iran

In a sharp and striking reversal, the U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Iran has stopped work on its suspected nuclear weapons program. This revelation contrasts with the Bush administration's recent rhetoric warning that Iran's determination to develop a nuclear weapon could spark a war,...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 9, 2007

Kroon latest player to attempt to break 'Yomiuri jinx'

Can Marc Kroon break a jinx with the Giants?
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 9, 2007

Russia's role as the 'awkward partner'

MOSCOW — The greatest disappointment of the postcommunist era has been the failure of the West — particularly Europe — to build a successful relationship with Russia.
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2007

U.S. official senses beef trade progress

Japan indicated its intention to ease import curbs on American beef during a two-day bilateral economic dialogue in Tokyo, a senior U.S. official said Friday.
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2007

Three hanged and named in ministry first

The Justice Ministry executed three death-row inmates Friday and, in a break with its secrecy policy, released their names and details directly to the public.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2007

Japan climate effort needs rethink: experts

One of Japan's goals at the Bali conference on climate change is getting legally binding emission controls placed on developing countries, but many experts doubt the nation's ability to get its own house in order first.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 7, 2007

Blood diamonds maintain their cover

MADRAS — Living in India, I grew up with diamonds. The most precious of stones are still an integral part of the Indian lifestyle. They are used every day, including for ceremonial purposes.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 7, 2007

Youssou N'Dour "Rokku Mi Rokka"

Since escaping from Sony's fusion fixation around the turn of the millennium, Senegal's most vital musical export has rebooted his career by exploring styles he only touched on in the past. "Nothing's in Vain" (2003) appropriated chanson and "Egypt" (2005) was a full-throated tribute to the Middle Eastern...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Dec 6, 2007

Out from under noh's shadow

'F or kyogen actors, Japan losing the war in 1945 was a wonderful event as it liberated kyogen from its long subjugation to noh," actor Shigeyama Sennojo says. "For the first time in 400 years, kyogen was recognized as an independent form of theater."

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