Search - 2003

 
 
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2005

At last minute, safety panel delays ending ban on U.S. beef imports

A government-appointed panel unveiled Monday a draft report that would pave the way to lifting the 22-month-old ban on U.S. beef imports, saying meat from young cattle poses an extremely low food safety risk.
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2005

Nonaka denies involvement in donation scandal

The mystery over a 100 million yen political funds scandal deepened Monday as a former secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party appeared in court claiming an alibi: He was not at a meeting where the covert donation was allegedly handed over to an LDP faction on July 2, 2001.
JAPAN
Oct 25, 2005

Interpretation mistakes marring justice in Japan's courts

In June 2003, British national Nicholas Baker was sentenced to a 14-year prison sentence for drug smuggling.
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2005

More waste at social security agency

Government auditors have found another potential waste of taxpayers' money in the Social Insurance Agency, which has come under fire over the past few years for budgetary oversights, Board of Audit sources said Sunday.
BUSINESS
Oct 20, 2005

Varig to end Tokyo-via-L.A. flights

Varig Brazilian Airlines has decided to discontinue flights between Narita airport and Rio de Janeiro, routed via Los Angeles, on Jan. 14 as passengers have declined sharply due to tougher U.S. visa requirements, informed sources said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Oct 20, 2005

Takefuji suit only trying to shut up critics: court

The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court ruling that a lawsuit filed by Takefuji Corp. was aimed at suppressing freedom of expression and ordered the firm to pay 4.8 million yen in damages to a group of lawyers and a publisher.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Oct 20, 2005

PIFF: Asia's magnet for movies

The Pusan International Film Festival, which took place Oct. 6-14, marked its 10th year with its biggest program ever -- 307 films from 73 countries. These numbers alone make PIFF the largest annual film-related event in Asia, and with the Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) taking place in the Korean port city...
JAPAN
Oct 19, 2005

Lower House passes bill to extend antiterror law

The House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday to extend the antiterrorism law another year to allow the Maritime Self-Defense Force to continue refueling U.S.-led coalition vessels in the Indian Ocean.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 19, 2005

U.N. University takes on environmental challenges

Few realize that in the three decades of its existence, United Nations University (UNU) has been developing into a global organization comprising UNU enter in To- kyo and 12 Research and Training Centers and Programs (RTC/Ps) around the world, working in cooperation with a large, global network of associated...
COMMUNITY
Oct 19, 2005

Tomorrow's bikes on display today at Makuhari

With 133 motorbikes and scooters on display from Japan's four major manufacturers, and 57 more from eight overseas makers, eye candy abounds at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. This year's show features 29 world premiers and 37 Japan premiers. Here are just a few of the many highlights.
JAPAN
Oct 18, 2005

Osaka's scandal-hit mayor to resign, run again in snap poll

OSAKA -- Osaka Mayor Junichi Seki announced Monday he will resign his post and then run again in a snap election that he said will determine voter faith in his proposed reforms.
EDITORIALS
Oct 18, 2005

Toward the final frontier

China's successful launching last week of its second manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou 6, coming just two years after its historic first flight, demonstrates that the country's space program is making steady progress. China's goal, obviously, is to become a "space power."
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2005

MMC seeks salvation in flagship Outlander SUV

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. on Monday launched the new Outlander sport utility vehicle, its first all-new model in nearly 2 1/2 years, which it hopes can revitalize the struggling automaker.
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2005

Murakami, Tokyo Style reach settlement

Outspoken financier Yoshiaki Murakami said Monday his fund has reached a court-mediated settlement with Tokyo Style Co. after the apparel firm's president, Yoshio Takano, agreed to pay 100 million yen in compensation to his own firm for inflicting damages as a result of investments that turned sour....
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Oct 18, 2005

Water pumps

Dear Alice:
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 17, 2005

On the precipice in Iraq

WASHINGTON-- How are things going in Iraq? The short answer, unfortunately -- based on Brookings' Iraq Index and my own assessments -- is not very well. There is still considerable hope, and much that does go well in Iraq. But on balance, there is more reason for worry than optimism right now.
Japan Times
Features / WEEK 3
Oct 16, 2005

UNEAR THING FACT IN CLASSIC FICTION

'Robinson Crusoe" has fascinated explorer Daisuke Takahashi ever since his elementary school days, when he first read the classic adventure tale about a British sailor who lived on a desert island for 28 years. Imagining that he, too, was marooned on an isolated island, the young Takahashi would roast...
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2005

Renault recalls vans

Renault Japon Co. said Friday it will recall 1,839 Renault Megane station wagons due to a defective brake disk.
EDITORIALS
Oct 14, 2005

Nuclear program raises issues

The Atomic Energy Commission is expected to adopt a long-term nuclear program by the end of the month. In its draft, the commission has stated its desire to continue its policy of establishing a nuclear-fuel cycle that reprocesses all the spent nuclear fuel to extract plutonium for future use as nuclear...
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Oct 14, 2005

Divine island in watercolor

"Scenes of Miyajima" is Matthew Phinn's second solo exhibition in Hiroshima this year. After completing a three-month artist-in-residency in 2003 in Akiyoshidai, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Phinn is now in his second year at the secluded Noro San Art Village near Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture.
JAPAN
Oct 13, 2005

Iraqi police to get $3.3 million in aid

Japan said Wednesday it will give $3.3 million to local police where Self-Defense Forces troops are stationed in Iraq-- ahead of a possible pullout from the region by British and Australian soldiers.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 13, 2005

From national security to human security

The suffering and death inflicted by last December's tsunami and Hurricane Katrina shows the need to reframe security in human terms.

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