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JAPAN
Apr 11, 2002

Rat experiment gives hope to the weak-hearted

OSAKA -- In what is reportedly a world's first, a group of Japanese scientists said Wednesday they have developed rat cardiac muscle that can strengthen rats' hearts when transplanted.
JAPAN
Apr 11, 2002

Small cities failing to meet Rio goal

All prefectures and major cities have drafted plans to improve the environment and promote sustainable development, but only 184 of the thousands of smaller municipalities have made similar preparations, according to an Environment Ministry survey released Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Apr 11, 2002

Government sees economy approaching bottom

The economy is showing increasing signs of bottoming out, the government said Wednesday, upgrading its assessment for the second straight month.
COMMENTARY / WASHINGTON UPDATE
Apr 11, 2002

Campaign finance reform passes -- for the moment

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush put the final touches on campaign finance reform for this year by recently signing the McCain-Feingold-Shays-Meehan Bill into law in the Oval Office before flying off for a series of fund raising events for Republican candidates.
LIFE / Digital
Apr 11, 2002

End the wait, get really connected

The waiting is over, at least for Internet users tired of herky-jerky Web video, all-night downloads, and pay-by-the-minute dialup access. Broadband has arrived in Japan, and in cities like Tokyo and Osaka we probably enjoy the best, least expensive high-speed Internet access in the world.
EDITORIALS
Apr 10, 2002

Another casualty of money politics

The resignation from the Diet of Mr. Koichi Kato, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, is yet another reminder that corruption is deeply embedded in the nation's political system. He made the decision, rightly, to take "social, political and moral responsibility" for the tax evasion...
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

'Satoyama' key to preservation of rural settlements

The Environment Ministry said Tuesday it will use the term "satoyama" to explain a new biodiversity policy aimed at preserving areas in which residents have coexisted harmoniously with nature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / HIGH NOTES
Apr 10, 2002

Helicoid 0222MB

Helicoid 0222MB is a robot created and operated by three chicks from Osaka. Their ultimate goal is not to make this fantasy robot rid Japan of evil bands like Snail Ramp and Bump of Chicken, but simply to make it dance. Ho-hum.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2002

Mizuho president apologizes to Diet

Terunobu Maeda, president of Mizuho Holdings Inc., told the Diet on Tuesday that the banking group acknowledges its grave responsibility for computer glitches that have led to depositors being double billed and ATMs malfunctioning.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / NEW ART SEEN
Apr 10, 2002

Gallery grazing perfect for a spring day

After visiting the Ginza galleries Saturday afternoon, I found myself unable to decide which of a number of good shows to feature in my column this week. So, instead of zooming in on a particular exhibition, allow me to present an overview.
JAPAN
Apr 10, 2002

Transsexual to lecture at medical university

A transsexual activist will serve as a part-time lecturer at the medical school of Mie University, a public school, in November to educate students on sexual identity disorder.
SOCCER / J. League / SPORTS SCOPE
Apr 9, 2002

J. League to help newcomers and retirees

The J. League this season has launched two new projects. The first is to help players look for a job when they retire from the game. The second is the J. League Academy -- a developing program for players aged five to 21.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / NATURE TRAVEL
Apr 9, 2002

Biblical reserve echoes Noah's 'two by two'

A visit to Israel is probably not high on your list of tourism priorities at the moment, but should the situation calm down and the killings and fighting stop, here's one to consider: The Biblical Wildlife Reserve of Hai-Bar Yotvata.
BUSINESS
Apr 9, 2002

Japan poised to air steel curb gripes

Japan will hold bilateral talks with the European Union on Wednesday in Geneva over temporary steel import curbs recently invoked by the EU, Katsusada Hirose, vice minister for trade, said Monday.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 9, 2002

Four-stroke bikes dominate at Suzuka

Piloting a four-stroke Honda RC211V that he'd taken to 315 kph in dry practice, Valentino Rossi won Sunday's rain-soaked Japan MotoGP at the Suzuka circuit in Mie Prefecture.
LIFE / Travel / NATURE TRAVEL
Apr 9, 2002

Biblical reserve echoes Noah's 'two by two'

A visit to Israel is probably not high on your list of tourism priorities at the moment, but should the situation calm down and the killings and fighting stop, here's one to consider: The Biblical Wildlife Reserve of Hai-Bar Yotvata.
EDITORIALS
Apr 8, 2002

New hard line against Pyongyang

I t has always been difficult to understand the thinking of the leadership in North Korea. The rhetorical blasts that Pyongyang unleashes against the United States, Japan and South Korea are usually balanced by sotto voce assurances that dialogue will continue. The schizophrenia has been especially pronounced...
COMMENTARY
Apr 8, 2002

The 'corporate governance' debate

Over the past decade, "corporate governance" has come to replace "industrial policy" and "Japanese-style management" as the key factor to explain Japanese business performance.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 7, 2002

Japan to play Russia, Tonga: Rugby Union

Japan will play Russia on May 19 (7 p.m. kickoff) at National Stadium in Tokyo and Tonga on May 26 (2 p.m. kickoff) at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saitama Prefecture as preparation for its World Cup qualifiers slated for June-July, the Japan Rugby Football Union announced Friday. Tickets will go on sale...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2002

A special time of hope for a better future

MANILA -- The end of March is a very special time in the Philippines, when ceremonies are held to honor the year's crop of graduates. Having served as commencement speaker at various institutions for the last two years, I have had the opportunity not only to observe the joyful ceremonies closely, but...
COMMUNITY
Apr 7, 2002

Ishihara gambles on casinos

"Building a casino will create employment for 10,000 people."
COMMUNITY
Apr 7, 2002

A dicey history

The earliest reference to gambling in Japan -- found in the eighth-century, 31-volume "Nihon Shoki (Chronicle of Japan)" -- states that in 685 AD, Emperor Temmu passed the time playing a dice game similar to backgammon called sugo-roku (double sixes). Once his successor Empress Jito assumed the throne,...

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