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COMMENTARY / World
Jun 14, 2007

Europe, open your borders

PRAGUE — It is time for Europe's politicians to admit to voters that governments cannot stop people moving across borders. Despite efforts to build a Fortress Europe, over a million foreigners bypass its defenses every year; some enter covertly, but most just overstay their visas and work illicitly....
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jun 14, 2007

In focus: 150 years of Japanese photography

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the oldest-known photograph taken by a Japanese person. Yet it is only in recent years that Japanese have started to take a serious interest in the history of early photography in this country, according to Terry Bennett, a London-based photo-historian.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 14, 2007

Escaping from the Kremlin

TALLINN — Communism's fall gave the nations of the former Soviet bloc a chance to turn toward democracy, a market economy, and the rule of law. Some countries cut ties decisively with the communist past; others were less successful, a few failed catastrophically.
Reader Mail
Jun 13, 2007

Taiwan's Lee deserves courtesy

In Robyn Lim's June 2 article, "Lee should avoid Yasukuni," Lim grudgingly admits that, as a private citizen, former Taiwanese President Lee Tung-hui is free to visit Japan and has a right to religious freedom, which includes paying a visit to Yasukuni Shrine (Lee did visit the shrine June 7). Yet she...
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Jun 12, 2007

It's a dog's life when you wear a cat on your head

Animals have always been prevalent in the Japanese language, perhaps more so than in other parts of the world, because Japanese people were for so long vegetarian, Buddhist or Shintoist.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: FASHION
Jun 12, 2007

Sobocki, Swatch, etc.

Sobocki, so good
Reader Mail
Jun 10, 2007

Japan had an ugly side, too

Regarding Paula Bame's June 3 letter, "Western values have made a mess": As a Canadian who lived in Japan, I was shocked and saddened as well to read about the recent tragedies in Japan concerning the decapitation of a mother, parents abandoning their babies, and so on.
Reader Mail
Jun 10, 2007

Whale proposal lacks credibility

Late last month Japan asked the International Whaling Commission to allow small-scale coastal whaling and to treat the activity the same as subsistence whaling by aboriginal peoples in the Northern Hemisphere.
Reader Mail
Jun 10, 2007

Movie depicted actual events

Regarding the June 1 review of the film "300": I disagree on several points. This movie depicted actual events, including many that had been recorded at the time by such men as Herodotus and others.
EDITORIALS
Jun 10, 2007

Another frustrating G8 summit

One step forward, one step back. That's likely to be the verdict on the just-ended summit of the Group of Eight industrial powers. Progress came on climate change; the retreat was on AIDS. Yet the trimming of ambitions regarding AIDS policy should shape perceptions of the historic deal on greenhouse-gas...
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Jun 9, 2007

Key garbage experiences in the land of the sanitary enthusiast

Years ago when I first moved to my island, some Japanese friends from the mainland came to visit. The plan was to have a barbecue, so they brought all the ingredients from the mainland, since meat and some other things were hard to come by on the island.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / PERSONALITY PROFILE
Jun 9, 2007

Hubert Durt

Japan's constitutional peace guarantee was, and still is, the main cause of Dr. Hubert Durt's admiration for this country. It was the magnet that drew him here.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2007

Lee courts discord with Yasukuni visit

Just being here has caused a political stir, but former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui upped the ante Thursday by visiting Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine to offer a prayer for his brother, who died while fighting for Japan in World War II.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 8, 2007

'Kantoku Banzai!'/'Dai Nipponjin'

It was a marketing gimmick of the first order to open Takeshi Kitano's "Kantoku Banzai!" and Hitoshi Matsumoto's "Dai Nipponjin" on the same weekend. This head-to-head duel between films by the two reigning kings of Japanese comedy can only boost the box office of both.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film / SHORT TAKES
Jun 8, 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Director: Gore Verbinski Language: English
JAPAN / Q&A
Jun 8, 2007

What's behind the measles outbreak?

A measles epidemic is spreading, especially among people in their teens and 20s, forcing weeklong closures at 29 universities and 22 high schools nationwide between April 1 and May 26.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Jun 8, 2007

Mavericks of the Southern Rhône

By any measure, the Perrins are an unusual family, making an unusual wine in an unusual region of France. They've been at the forefront of protecting the quality of French wine, yet they maintain a maverick touch. And after five generations, the owners of Château Beaucastel in the Rhône Valley are...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 8, 2007

'Apocalypto'

If "Apocalypto" were a meal, it would be a very red, very rare, incredibly tough steak. No garnishings. This isn't something for the faint of digestion, not to mention the heart; it pummels and kicks the senses awake to thrust them not into higher gear necessarily but another dimension altogether. "Apocalypto"...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jun 8, 2007

Short film festival reaches for the stars

They may run short, but to the directors of the films screening at the International Pleaides Film Festival, each is "a complete, miniature work of art," according to the festival's Web site.
BASKETBALL
Jun 7, 2007

Orimo welcomes move to new team in Sapporo

He'd been a total stranger to the place for his entire life. But now Takehiko Orimo gets a huge welcome there as a messiah — and he intends to be one.

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