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ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Nov 2, 2001

Asian ladybug

* Japanese Name: Namitento* Scientific name: Harmonia axyridis
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / GARDENS FOR ALL
Nov 1, 2001

A wonderland wrought from one man's vision

In June this year I had the pleasure of visiting three wonderful gardens in California -- all of which I would strongly recommend for a leisurely and enjoyable visit. I will cover one apiece in this and two following articles.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 31, 2001

The nail that sticks out -- defiantly

Go Rating: * * * * Director: Isao Yukisada Running time: 122 minutes Language: Japanese Now showing
CULTURE / Art
Oct 31, 2001

The gift of Ghibli

When I first heard that Hayao Miyazaki was planning a museum in Mitaka dedicated to the films that his Studio Ghibli animators and he had created over the years, I imagined animation cels framed on beige walls. Save for dedicated fans, it wasn't the most thrilling prospect for a Saturday afternoon, especially...
LIFE
Oct 29, 2001

Revolution and evolution mark motorcycle lineup at Tokyo Motor Show

Tired of being jammed into a packed train every morning? Sick of being stuck in the city every weekend? Bummed out because high parking fees rule out owning a car? If you answered yes to these questions, you might want to consider buying a motorcycle. They're affordable, running costs are reasonable...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Oct 28, 2001

Isola blu: The upper crust of Ginza

Our appreciation of Isola's superb pizza is already a matter of record: "A work of art . . . As close to perfection as you will ever need to get," we said -- and we have no reason to revise our opinion. When it comes to the location, though, the Food File is far less effusive. Isola is such a long haul...
BUSINESS
Oct 25, 2001

Asia holds key to GM's outlook, chairman says

The boss of American auto giant General Motors Corp. believes the Asia-Pacific market will dictate the carmaker's global sales outlook.
BUSINESS
Oct 25, 2001

Key panel pushes for 27% cut in public works spending

A key government panel chaired by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi believes spending on public works projects should be cut by 27 percent over the next five years, according to the draft of a fiscal policy proposal obtained Wednesday by Kyodo News.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 24, 2001

Tales from the dark side of Soderbergh

Schizopolis / Gray's Anatomy Rating: * * * / * * * * Director: Steven Soderbergh Running time: 93 minutes / 79 minutes Language: English Now showing
CULTURE / Art
Oct 24, 2001

The sublime city and state of mind

Art history, like the military kind, is written by the victors. Thus Florentine Giorgio Vasari's encyclopedic "Lives of the Artists," published in 1550, is a propagandist's account of his home city's starring role in the artistic and intellectual phenomenon we now call the Renaissance.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Oct 21, 2001

K-1 hits the spot

Blood spurts from his nose. Another crunching blow to the head. His lights go out as he drops to the floor unconscious. Thousands of dollars go down with him.
CULTURE / Books
Oct 21, 2001

In the realm of crime, torture and depravity

THE DARK SIDE: Infamous Japanese Crimes and Criminals, by Mark Schreiber. Kodansha International, 2001, 251 pp., 2,700 yen (cloth) It's unfortunate but true that the names of notorious criminals usually outlive those of their victims. We remember Jack the Ripper, not the London prostitutes he butchered....
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Oct 21, 2001

Tune in, there are big things on the horizon

The cult of dieting takes on new meaning in Nippon TV's fall comedy serial "Kangei! Danjiki Goikko-sama," literally, "Welcome, Honorable Party of Fasters" (Saturday, 9 p.m.). The series is set at Rakuraku-jin, a Buddhist temple that accepts civilians who want to do the ascetic thing.
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Oct 19, 2001

Migratory locust

CULTURE / Film
Oct 17, 2001

Uhfmm . . . wham, bam, thank you, ma'am

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Rating: * * 1/2 Director: Simon West Running time: 100 minutes Language: English Now showing
CULTURE / Stage
Oct 17, 2001

Revenge drama: keeping it in the family

During the 17th and 18th centuries, news of successful acts of revenge (katakiuchi) by samurai circulated fast among ordinary people in Japan. Many of these stories were highly dramatic and became sources of inspiration for kabuki and bunraku dramas.
LIFE / Food & Drink / NIHONSHU
Oct 14, 2001

Nagano gives Niigata some stiff competition

Cold air blowing down from the Japan Alps. Clear water from rivers of melted snow. Fresh country air. Great rice. When it comes to the basic requirements for brewing good sake, Nagano Prefecture has them all covered.
ENVIRONMENT / ANIMAL TRACKER
Oct 12, 2001

Five-lined skink

COMMUNITY
Oct 8, 2001

Watari-um, where the world of art is accessible to 'ordinary people'

Stop and feel the art in the space, like relaxing in your living room. Watari-um, or the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, offers something both imaginative and familiar to everyday life.
LIFE / Travel / ON THE ARCHIPELA-GO
Oct 8, 2001

Adventures in wine country

For many years, Hakushu village, tucked away in Yamanashi Prefecture, was the venue for a colorful international festival featuring avant-garde performances by musicians, dancers and other artists.
JAPAN
Oct 7, 2001

Macedonia historian delighted at award

Macedonian historian Dr. Kosta Balabanov has expressed his delight at receiving this year's Japan Foundation special prize for his contribution to introducing Japanese culture to the Balkan country.
COMMUNITY
Oct 7, 2001

Tokyo's own hot spots

In Japan, mention "hot springs" and people instinctively think of mountain hideaways and seaside vistas. High on the list of onsen hot spots are Atami and Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula, Kusatsu in Gunma, Kinugawa in Tochigi, Hakone in Kanagawa and Beppu in Kyushu to name but a few.
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Oct 7, 2001

From plonk to classics, Shinanoya has got it all

For wine fans, the Daita neighborhood in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward is a worthy destination. This part of town is home to one of Tokyo's most impressive wine stores. Shinanoya Shokuhin Co. has existed for 50 years. By 1998, the wine and spirits department at Shinanoya Supermarket was outgrowing its shelf...
JAPAN
Oct 5, 2001

Global university strives to become Oita's melting pot

BEPPU, Oita Pref. -- Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, aiming to become a pioneer in the internationalization of higher education, accepted new students of diverse nationalities in a ceremony earlier this week.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past