Search - people

 
 
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2003

Blair's overcast breaking up

LONDON -- As the old year turns, life is looking a little brighter for the besieged British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his team, thanks to a few lucky breaks.
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2003

Suspects to get public defenders earlier in process

The government is planning to allow crime suspects to have state-appointed lawyers from the moment they are taken into custody, if their financial resources are limited, government officials said Wednesday.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / GARDEN PATHS
Dec 25, 2003

A romantic gem in Tokyo's heart

Japanese gardens were designed for poetry, music and romance; think of all those lovers in "The Tale of Genji" trailing through dew-drenched gardens to trysts with ladies of their dreams.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2003

Japan defense role urged in '50s

The United States had hoped in the 1950s that Japan would quickly build its defense capabilities and exercise the right of collective defense in exchange for U.S. military assistance, according to diplomatic documents declassified Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2003

Banks to receive green light to enter securities business

Banks are set to be allowed into the securities business following a recommendation Wednesday by a government panel that banks and other financial institutions be given the ability to act as sales agents for brokerage houses.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Dec 25, 2003

It's Christmas, so meet the family

Dec. 25 is one day when many people make an effort to be with their families, and some might even take time to remember those less fortunate than themselves. So in that spirit, in this week's column we're going to think about our closest relatives, ones who are far less fortunate than us and who face...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2003

Okinawa return sought in '68

A leading politician in 1968 sought a partial return of administrative rights in Okinawa ahead of the full return of the U.S.-occupied prefecture, but Washington rejected the demand, according to diplomatic documents declassified Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2003

Emperor turns 70, greets well-wishers

Emperor Akihito greeted the public Tuesday on his 70th birthday, waving to crowds of well-wishers from an Imperial Palace balcony together with members of the Imperial family.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2003

Petition lodged on sex education for disabled kids

More than 1,500 people filed a petition Monday with the Tokyo Bar Association demanding that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government return sex education materials to a local school for mentally disabled children.
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Dec 23, 2003

At home in japan without the kinks

So is this what they mean by globalization?
COMMENTARY
Dec 22, 2003

Beijing's Taiwan policy costly for China

HONG KONG -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has asserted that China would "pay any price to safeguard the unity of the motherland," clearly implying that Beijing would not shrink from the war option against Taiwan.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 22, 2003

Cutting a deal with Hussein makes sense

WASHINGTON -- The capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should, in and of itself, make a major difference in the U.S.-led operation to bring peace and stability to Iraq. But it is also important to seize this opportunity and go even further. As unpalatable as it may sound, we should consider...
COMMENTARY
Dec 21, 2003

Devil of amity lurks in free trade details

SINGAPORE -- The decision at the Japan-ASEAN summit on Dec. 11-12 to create a new "special relationship" between the two may be historic, but the economic free-trade areas that will provide its foundation look like long shots. Japanese efforts are likely to be frustrated by the same political forces...
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2003

Shootings suspect admits charges

A man arrested Friday in connection with shots being fired at Aum Shinrikyo facilities in Tokyo and Osaka and a teachers' union office in Hiroshima, for which a rightist group claimed responsibility, has admitted orchestrating the attacks, investigative sources said Saturday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Six arrested over shooting attacks on Aum, union offices

Tokyo police arrested six people Friday in connection with three shooting incidents targeting offices of Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as a shooting at a teachers' union office in Hiroshima, for which a rightist group claimed responsibility.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Communication is key to restoring tainted nuclear energy's image: paper

Communication among the government, businesses and public is key to restoring public confidence in nuclear power -- which has been tainted by accidents and scandals -- according to a government report released Friday.
COMMUNITY
Dec 20, 2003

Over 4,000 babies delivered and still counting

Dr. Hideki Sakamoto is late for the very best of reasons. "I had an emergency at the hospital, but am happy to be able to say that mother and baby are both doing well."
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Japan balks at cooperating with China in orgy probe

The top government spokesman indicated Thursday it will be difficult for Japan to accept China's call to cooperate in an investigation into an orgy at a south China hotel in September involving hundreds of Japanese businessmen and Chinese prostitutes.
EDITORIALS
Dec 19, 2003

Juggling act obscures real threat

The two ruling parties, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, earlier this week agreed on plans to shore up the faltering pension system for private-sector employees. The package calls for painful adjustments beginning in fiscal 2004: higher premium rates and lower benefit levels. What is missing...
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Emergency call-capable IP phones eyed

The National Police Agency has begun researching technology that will enable people to make emergency calls by dialing 110 on Internet protocol telephones, NPA officials said Thursday.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Dec 19, 2003

F.A. ruling on Ferdinand certain to make some unhappy

LONDON -- Eric Cantona's record ban of eight months is unlikely to be beaten, but sometime Friday a Football Association disciplinary commission will decide whether Rio Ferdinand is guilty of "the failure or refusal to submit to drug testing as required by a competent official."
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

63% of pollees fear terrorists will target Japan

Sixty-three percent of Japanese are afraid of terrorism at home and 80 percent believe the chances of a terrorist attack are increasing, according to a National Police Agency poll released Thursday.
EDITORIALS
Dec 18, 2003

Lame explanations for SDF dispatch

The Diet, although in recess, discussed the Iraq issue on Monday and Tuesday. The debate followed the government's decision last week to send ground troops to Iraq and, of course, Sunday's breaking news of the capture of Saddam Hussein. The government's answers, however, proved mostly unconvincing.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2003

Alleged spray attack affects seven

Seven people were taken to a hospital after smelling an abnormal odor at a restaurant in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, after someone allegedly released an unidentified spray, the Tokyo Fire Department said early Wednesday.

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’