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JAPAN
Jun 26, 2007

Abe, two of his ministers to forgo bonus

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa will forgo their summer bonuses as Cabinet ministers to take responsibility for the pension record fiasco, it was announced Monday.
EDITORIALS
Jun 25, 2007

Hazy fiscal reform plan

The government has approved an economic and fiscal reform plan for 2007 that will serve as the basis for compiling the fiscal 2008 budget. It encompasses a variety of policy measures that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration thinks are necessary to ensure both economic growth and financial reconstruction....
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 25, 2007

Tobacco watch on public health policy

BANGKOK — A powerful consensus is emerging among health advocates and public officials around the world that the tobacco industry should not have any influence on public health policies.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 24, 2007

Big breasts, funny hair, anything dumb — the way to go on TV

Last spring, TV tarento Rei Kikukawa made news when she appeared in a bra commercial. TV commercials are the bread-and-butter of most tarento (media stars), and Kikukawa has done her fair share, but since gaining stardom she's managed to avoid overt exploitation of her sex appeal. That's because she...
JAPAN
Jun 24, 2007

Agency disposed of data on 830,000 pension accounts

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Saturday he plans to forgo part of his summer bonus to take responsibility for the pension record fiasco involving the Social Insurance Agency. "I have caused worries among people over the pension records issue. I bear a grave responsibility for causing such a problem,"...
JAPAN
Jun 23, 2007

Afghan vice president seeks support, open to SDF

Japanese people should decide on, but our friend Japan's support is very important for Afghanistan's reconstruction, development, disbandment of illegal armed groups and other areas," the 57-year-old vice president told reporters at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. "We would very much like to...
JAPAN
Jun 23, 2007

Windsor Hotel prepares for second wind

The Windsor Hotel Toya in western Hokkaido has a lot of things going for it.
SOCCER
Jun 22, 2007

Osim: Japan's build up to Asian finals a joke

Ivica Osim has blasted the Japan Football Association for bungling the national team's build up to the upcoming Asian Cup finals.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jun 22, 2007

Stay cool for summer: learn how to wear a yukata in two hours

Ever been to a Bon festival and marveled at how everyone manages to pull off wearing a yukata (summer kimono) with such aplomb? Match the well-dressed throngs this summer by heading to one of instructor Junko Machida's classes (in Japanese), which will teach you how to properly wear this clothing staple...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 22, 2007

'Hollywoodland'

The new film noir "Hollywoodland" has a title that may leave people scratching their heads: Isn't the home of the movie studios called "Hollywood?" Well, yes and no. The original, iconic sign on the hillside read "Hollywoodland," placed there in 1923 by some real-estate developers. It lasted only until...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 22, 2007

Heeding the call of island music

What is it with Western artists and Okinawan music?
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 21, 2007

Urawa gets back on right track after trip abroad

With his team in second place in the J. League and at the quarterfinal stage of the AFC Champions League, it would appear things are looking rosy for Holger Osieck and Urawa Reds.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2007

Crime victim bill enacted; critics fear trials turning into outlets for revenge

hits (you), (you) hit back," Morosawa said, reckoning such acts of revenge were permitted until "the enactment of modern law, when the government took away the right to retribution — or rather, the government was to carry out (retribution) on behalf" of the victims. People in Japan victimized by crime...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jun 21, 2007

Asian artists echo biennale director's themes

VENICE, Italy — By the light of the setting sun, a skateboarder practices tricks on the edge of a seaside jetty. Heavy waves roll in and break against the shore in a constant motion in the background. The skateboarder keeps to a narrow radius and his movements are rhythmic and supple. The board appears...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 21, 2007

Soundtrack of the summer: Muse

Muse are regularly regaled as one of the best live acts in Britain. They put on flabbergasting shows — including fireworks with more explosive power than a battery of North Korean ballistic missiles, space-pod drum risers straight out of "Star Wars," stuff like that — and all of the theatrics are...
JAPAN / Q&A
Jun 21, 2007

New laws to reshape education system

Bills to revise four education-related laws were passed by the Diet on Wednesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 21, 2007

Soundtrack of the summer: Audion

The latest in a long line of influential techno producers to emerge from Detroit, Matthew Dear has wasted little time becoming one of the club world's hottest commodities. In the past few years, he's scored widespread acclaim for records released both under his own name and the aliases Audion, False...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 21, 2007

Soundtrack of the summer: Andrey Boreyko

With tickets for Italian maestro Riccardo Muti's concerts sold out, Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko's concert with Russian pianist and former International Tchaikovsky Competition gold medalist Boris Berezovsky is a good and by-no-means lesser alternative. In fact, it probably has the more interesting...
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Jun 21, 2007

Yano, Rawl pursue new path to sporting success

The first real innovator in human history invented the wheel, ushering in an era of lighter workloads and easier trips. Others have made notable contributions: Thomas Edison perfected the light bulb; Johannes Gutenberg gave us the printing press; and Wilbur and Orville Wright demonstrated that airplanes...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 21, 2007

Soundtrack of the summer: Yosuke Yamashita

Known for almost 40 years for his bass-less, eponymous trio and half that time for his New York Trio, pianist Yosuke Yamashita offers listeners a change by bringing his New Quartet to Noto. Yamashita, 67, will play with bassist Akira Yanagihara, alto saxophonist Yuya Yoneda and drummer Takumi Ogasawara,...

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’