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BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2009

Three nonlife insurers plan 2010 integration

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., Aioi Insurance Co. and Nissay Dowa General Insurance Co. announced Friday they have agreed to merge in April 2010, in a move that will create Japan's largest nonlife insurance group.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2009

2channel founder ponders next step after forum's sale

A short message recently posted on Hiroyuki Nishimura's personal blog sent shock waves across the online community. In a single sentence dated Jan. 2, he announced that he had sold 2channel, his wildly popular Internet forum.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2009

Tepco to seek OK to test run quake-hit reactor

Tokyo Electric Power Co. will seek a ban on the operation of its quake-damaged nuclear plant lifted, paving the way for a test run when it completes repairs of one of the reactors next month.
BUSINESS
Jan 24, 2009

Sanyo, Nippon Oil in battery tieup

Sanyo Electric Co., the world's largest rechargeable-battery maker, and Nippon Oil Corp. said Friday they each hold 50 percent of a venture established to tap demand for solar-battery panels.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 23, 2009

Toilets take center stage at exhibition

As if the scandals of the last few years were not enough, Japan's sumo fraternity must now suffer the indignity of having its toilets exhibited in public.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2009

The Ting Tings

When the hype machine in their native Britain sent newcomers The Ting Tings into overdrive in 2008, the Manchester duo had one advantage over other acts garnering similar column inches: The Ting Tings were actually good.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 23, 2009

Stuck on cellotape

Ryo Sehata is that often- mentioned but seldom- encountered individual, a truly unique artist. His art is so uncommon that his fame has now assumed viral form, spreading through the Internet via blogs, vlogs, Twitters, links, Diggs and other clickable whatchamacallits. The young artist and his unusual...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2009

'Kansen Retto'

Disaster movies became big in both Hollywood and Japan in the 1970s — an era of soaring gas prices, volatile exchange rates and a failed Republican presidency. Now, with history repeating itself (in spades), this much-derided genre is booming again.
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2009

'Quantum of Solace'/'Elegy'

As a teen, I spent some time involved in youth theater, and auditions weren't always the most pleasant experience. I was a skinny youth, and one director — deciding to mess with me — requested that I act, in open audition, as if I were the strongest man in the world. I thought about that for a moment...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jan 23, 2009

'Quantum of Solace'/'Elegy'

As a teen, I spent some time involved in youth theater, and auditions weren't always the most pleasant experience. I was a skinny youth, and one director — deciding to mess with me — requested that I act, in open audition, as if I were the strongest man in the world. I thought about that for a moment...
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2009

Marubeni exporting more scrap to China

Marubeni Corp., the nation's second-largest scrap steel trader, said its exports to China quadrupled in the past two months as demand improved in response to a planned government stimulus.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 23, 2009

Snow and sculpting on show in Sapporo

Perhaps it's a sign of how peaceful the last 54 years have been for Japan. Since 1955, many of the giant snow sculptures that have made the Sapporo Snow Festival famous around the world have been constructed by members of the Ground Self-Defense Force, which have several bases in Hokkaido. For this year's...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 23, 2009

Snow and sculpting on show in Sapporo

Perhaps it's a sign of how peaceful the last 54 years have been for Japan. Since 1955, many of the giant snow sculptures that have made the Sapporo Snow Festival famous around the world have been constructed by members of the Ground Self-Defense Force, which have several bases in Hokkaido. For this year's...
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 22, 2009

Can Hamas leaders win the peace?

WASHINGTON — For generations to come, the Palestinians will remember the horrific war in Gaza with pain and bitterness. But what cannot yet be seen is how Palestinians will view Hamas. Whether Hamas can claim a victory — and whether Palestinians will believe them will be determined by the type of...
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2009

Congratulatory Aso requests early meeting

The government congratulated new U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday and was quick to request an early meeting with him.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2009

Magnetic speaker's words resonate with masses

When Tsutomu Toyama first read Barack Obama's November victory speech, he was deeply impressed, both by the choice of language and the message conveyed.
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2009

Japan hopes new U.S. leader can demonstrate alliance is still vital

Sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama faces high expectations not only at home, but also from close ally Japan, as he grapples with an unprecedented array of domestic and foreign policy issues.
Reader Mail
Jan 22, 2009

Missing a business opportunity

I want to thank Gregory Clark for expressing an opinion that needs to be expressed, particularly when everyone else seems to be striving to be politically correct. I live in Japan and many things about Japan utterly annoy me, but I feel that they have more to do with me and my relationship with Japan. ...
BUSINESS
Jan 22, 2009

Mazda applies for wage subsidies

Mazda Motor Corp., maker of the RX-8 sports car, said Wednesday it applied for the government's subsidy program to help pay wages during auto production cuts in Japan this month.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / IGADGET
Jan 21, 2009

Olympus gets tough with new cameras

Playing hard to break: Olympus is taking advantage of the delicate nature of modern cameras to craft a niche market. It has produced a range of compact cameras sold as much on their claims to toughness as their ability to create a pleasing image. The latest additions to the ranks are the μTough-8000...
BUSINESS
Jan 21, 2009

Tokyo talks aim to revive oil, gas investment

Energy and trade ministers from Japan, India, Saudi Arabia and 17 other Asian and Middle Eastern nations will gather in Tokyo in April for talks on reviving investment in oil and gas projects after crude prices tumbled.
COMMENTARY
Jan 20, 2009

Obama and the alliance

Under the Bush administration, the Japan-U.S. alliance has undergone a quiet but important transformation in the eyes of most Japanese people: It has become a global alliance instead of a regional or bilateral one.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2009

Wii gives seniors therapeutic kicks

Blanche Betten, a 76-year-old retired restaurant owner, hammered Bob Warner, 85, with a flurry of punches, sending the World War II and Korean War veteran sprawling to the ground.

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