Search - 2004

 
 
BUSINESS
Jan 12, 2006

Okamoto debuts spermicide condoms

Top condom maker Okamoto Industries Inc. announced Wednesday it will start selling the country's first spermicide-coated condom Feb. 1, hoping to stimulate the flagging domestic prophylactics market.
COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE
Jan 12, 2006

Democrats taking aim at House control

WASHINGTON -- The American political landscape continues to be dominated by U.S. President George W. Bush. He had his ups and downs in 2005, and while he has gained about seven points in the various polls since he hit bottom in late November, his approval ratings remain in the low 40s, according to various...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / NEW ART SEEN
Jan 12, 2006

WONDER SITE: Strong words in Shibuya fail to bring a crowd

In 2001, a peculiar contemporary-art space called Tokyo Wonder Site opened in a disused building in Bunkyo Ward in Northeast Tokyo. Supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the project attracted a measure of initial interest, but never developed into anything like a hot spot for art. This is probably...
BASEBALL / MLB
Jan 11, 2006

Lasorda hopes Cuba makes it to World Baseball Classic

Cuba's exclusion from the World Baseball Classic would be tragic, and no one knows it more than WBC ambassador Tommy Lasorda.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 8, 2006

Tomita on bill for World Cup meet

Hiroyuki Tomita, who won the men's overall title at the world gymnastics championships last November, will participate in the World Cup Series international meet in France this March, the Japan Gymnastic Association said Friday.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2006

Foreign visitors hit record number

The number of foreign visitors in 2005 hit a record 7.45 million, up 10.3 percent from the previous record of 6.76 million in 2004 and topping the 7 million mark for the first time ever, according to preliminary Justice Ministry figures.
JAPAN
Jan 8, 2006

Past bird flu infections of people feared

About 40 people in Ibaraki Prefecture linked to chicken farms are suspected of having been infected with the H5N2 strain of bird flu in the past, informed sources said Saturday.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jan 7, 2006

Portsmouth set to get influx of cash from Russian investor

LONDON -- Imagine you won the lottery and suddenly had wealth beyond your wildest dreams.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jan 7, 2006

Lions acquire ex-Yankees pitcher

The Seibu Lions on Friday announced the acquisition of left-handed pitcher Alex Graman, who had playing time with the New York Yankees over the past two years.
BUSINESS
Jan 7, 2006

Scandal-plagued NHK expects to rebound in fiscal 2007

Scandal-plagued NHK expects to rebound in fiscal 2007
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 6, 2006

East Timor split by truth, justice and reconciliation

EAST TIMOR Swooping low over the azure Savu Sea, the pristine coastline and gnarly hills of Timor suddenly appear about two hours after takeoff from Bali. Before entering the spartan air terminal, visitors pass through a trailer where, upon arrival, $30 one-month visas are sold.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2006

TB hospitalizations of homeless probed

The health ministry is probing allegations of human rights abuse carried out through the forced hospitalization of homeless people under the Tuberculosis Control Law, the ministry said Thursday.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2006

Infecting cows with BSE may yield clue to early detection

Japanese scientists believe they may have successfully infected cattle with mad cow disease as part of an experiment aimed at early detection of the fatal bovine illness, a laboratory official said Thursday.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jan 6, 2006

Life on the American edge

"American Buffalo' was Chicago-born David Mamet's first Broadway play, debuting there in 1977 a year after it had picked up a prestigious Obie Award as Best New American Play.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 5, 2006

U.S.-China ideological rivalry heats up

WASHINGTON -- Two recent events in Asia have again directly underscored the "ideological" tussle between Washington and Beijing, which is increasingly seen as a benevolent power and even as offering a model for socioeconomic development. As Asian leaders gathered last month in Kuala Lumpur for the East...
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2006

Income disparities rising in Japan

During the period of high postwar economic growth, most people in Japan came to consider themselves part of a middle class.
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2006

Pet businesses going to the dogs -- to their owners' delight

Two-year-old Melon slept on a small bed at one of the many beauty salons in Tokyo's Daikanyama shopping district, under a mist of negatively charged ions that reputedly reduces stress.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Jan 4, 2006

Letting laughter flow in our woods

Two years ago, we started running programs specially designed for visually challenged children in our forest near Kurohime among the Nagano Prefecture hills. Before getting started, our Afan Woodland Trust sent out a questionnaire asking the children what they would most like to do in the woods. The...
SOCCER / J. League
Jan 3, 2006

Reds end 25-year wait with final victory

Urawa Reds beat Shimizu S-Pulse 2-1 at Tokyo's National Stadium on Sunday to win their first Emperor's Cup in 25 years.
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2006

Ratings bring good news to NHK

The audience ratings for NHK's annual New Year's Eve music show, "Kohaku Utagassen" ("Red vs. White Song Contest"), improved last year, Video Research Ltd. said Monday, giving some encouragement to the scandal-hit public broadcaster.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 3, 2006

Fearless Japan ready for date with destiny

Japan coach Zico and his charges are under no illusions as to the scale of the task that awaits them at this year's World Cup finals.

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