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JAPAN
Oct 9, 2008

Public seen tiring of hereditary politics

Japan's history is one of family dynasties, from the Emperor's 1,400-year lineage to the father-son inheritance of kabuki theater roles. And then there's the Cabinet chosen by Prime Minister Taro Aso.
EDITORIALS
Oct 8, 2008

Beyond the Kyoto Protocol

One of former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's notable achievements was when, as the chair of the Group of Eight summit this summer, he managed to get the G8 nations to broadly agree on efforts to fight global warming. Although the government has changed, Japan must strive with other countries to overcome...
BUSINESS
Oct 7, 2008

Utsumi pans rate cuts, dollar props

Makoto Utsumi, a former top currency official at the Finance Ministry, said he doesn't see the need for joint interest-rate cuts and coordinated intervention to support the dollar by the United States, Europe and Japan.
Reader Mail
Oct 2, 2008

Education remark on target

Regarding the Sept. 28 article "Nakayama to quit Cabinet after gaffes": It is interesting that former transport minister Nariaki Nakayama took heat because of his verbal gaffe about (among other topics) the teachers union in Japan. I'm a teacher in the United States and a member of a huge teachers union....
JAPAN
Oct 2, 2008

Ozawa reveals DPJ policy pledges, admonishes Aso

Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa kicked off the Diet debate Wednesday by concentrating on his party's policy pledges and lambasted Prime Minister Taro Aso for directing questions to the DPJ in his policy speech earlier in the week.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2008

N. Korea, viewed from the inside

North Koreans are aware of Kim Jong Il's reported illness and anticipating an end to his dictatorship, said a Japanese journalist who recently returned from the China-North Korea border.
COMMENTARY
Sep 28, 2008

Bush will go away as a true friend to China

HONG KONG — As the world prepares to bid farewell to U.S. President George W. Bush in a few months, his foreign policy lies in tatters. Wars continue in Iraq and Afghanistan, a crisis looms in Iran, relations with Russia are badly strained, and now North Korea is threatening to restart its nuclear-weapons...
Reader Mail
Sep 28, 2008

Sharing stories of the war

Thank you for the Sept. 18 editorial "Day of the war makers." I was one of those who suffered during the Japanese occupation of the former Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. My father was killed by the Kempeitai. But I fully agree that it is good to listen to each other's stories.
Japan Times
JAPAN / CABINET INTERVIEW
Sep 27, 2008

Lower House majority is minimum goal: Hosoda

The Liberal Democratic Party and its partner, New Komeito, have set their sights on securing at least a majority in the Lower House in the next general election, LDP Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda said Friday.
Reader Mail
Sep 21, 2008

Shameful response to gropers

I lived and worked in Tokyo from 1996 to 2004. I agree with Sumire Shigehara -- the writer of the Sept. 14 letter "Women-only train cars are shameful" -- that Japan's public transportation is far superior to that of any city in the United States. However, while I understand that women-only cars may at...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / BACKSTREET STORIES
Sep 19, 2008

Daimyos and deluge around the Kanda River

Most major stretches of greenery in Tokyo are tax-trimmed remainders of massive estates once owned by Edo Period (1603-1867) feudal lords, or daimyo. So, in the wake of this summer's torrential rain and dodging some early autumn typhoons, I set out to find a daimyo domain or two.
Reader Mail
Sep 14, 2008

Sumo wrestlers judged too fast

The Sept. 10 editorial "Put sumo back on course" is itself way off course. First of all, for some reason, Japanese Sumo has not had any organized system for drug testing, although it is likely that steroids have been used.
BASKETBALL
Sep 13, 2008

Broncos, Warren agree to deal

The Saitama Broncos have agreed to terms with standout power forward Reggie Warren, the bj-league announced Thursday. The muscular, hard-nosed veteran played the previous two seasons for the Takamatsu Five Arrows.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Sep 13, 2008

Anjinsai: Briton is Japanese tradition

On Aug. 10, on the eastern shore of Izu Peninsula, the usually laid-back city of Ito was showing signs of hustle and bustle. Near the beach, street stalls served traditional snacks and drinks while other vendors delighted children with goldfish, candy and brightly colored masks. Further into town, locals...
EDITORIALS
Sep 11, 2008

Moot occasion to celebrate

North Korea this week celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding. In its editorial, Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, called on North Koreans to remain united around the leader Kim Jong Il and to strengthen the armed forces, which it described as "the foundation of a strong nation." It...
EDITORIALS
Sep 7, 2008

Responding to Russia

The Russian government made two bets when it sent troops into South Ossetia and Georgia last month. The first — that Russian forces could crush any opposition — was a pretty safe bet. While the Russian military has deteriorated significantly since the Cold War, it has more than enough firepower to...
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Sep 6, 2008

A dog by any other name

OK, I admit it. For humor's sake, I do on occasion stretch the truth.
TENNIS
Sep 5, 2008

WTA approves on-court coaching

NEW YORK — Women tennis players will be able to consult with their coaches during matches starting next year, though the WTA Tour's motivation for the move seems to be aiding fans as much as competitors.
JAPAN
Sep 3, 2008

Fukuda exit underscores New Komeito rift, may spur poll

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's sudden resignation Monday may set in motion a round of political upheaval, with his successor likely to dissolve the Lower House and call a snap election before year's end, critics say.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 3, 2008

Russia's Georgia policy splits the Kremlin

MOSCOW — Dmitry Medvedev inherited the post of president of the Russian Federation from Vladimir Putin, and while Putin moved down the pecking order to become prime minister, speculation has abounded from the start of Medvedev's presidency about an eventual split between Russia's two highest leaders....
COMMUNITY / Issues / JUST BE CAUSE
Sep 2, 2008

The 'gaijin' debate: Arudou responds

Last month's column (Aug. 5) was on the word "gaijin." I made the case that it is a racist word, one that reinforces an "us-and-them" rubric toward foreigners and their children in Japan. It generated a lot of debate. Good. Thanks for your time.
COMMENTARY
Aug 31, 2008

Biden brings a liberal interventionist slant

LONDON — Barack Obama, we are told, chose Joe Biden to be his running mate because he needed an older man, more experienced in foreign policy, to fill the gaps in his resume and reassure American voters that the United States would be safe under an Obama presidency.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Aug 30, 2008

The Awashima crab murders

Matsumoto-san bellied up to my bar and said, "Amy, I've started Moooo! Bar II on the beach at Awashima Island. You must come see it!" I wasn't really sure what to think about this, not having planned on expanding anything except my beer belly by owning a bar. This being Asia, however, it is supposed...
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Aug 23, 2008

Barwick's departure comes as no surprise

LONDON — England's uninspiring 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic on Wednesday was overshadowed by the news that Brian Barwick is to leave his post as chief executive of the Football Association after four years in it.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Aug 23, 2008

Communicating through the unsaid

Sculptor Gakushi Yamamoto arrives looking as if he tumbled out of bed — or rather rolled off his futon and into the nearest shirt and pair of jeans that came to hand. And that may be so, considering he has had to travel two hours to meet up in Moto-Azabu for 10 a.m.

Longform

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