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Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Mar 1, 2003

Seven riddles suggest a secret city beneath Tokyo

During the Gulf War in 1991, Shun Akiba was one of only two foreign journalists reporting from Baghdad, along with Peter Arnett of CNN. With such experience and expertise, it would be reasonable to imagine him in great demand right now. Wrong.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / VINELAND
Feb 28, 2003

Never too late for resolutions

The study and enjoyment of wine can be a lifelong passion: Insight gained now can bring pleasure for years to come. We are often asked what we would recommend to people looking to expand their wine knowledge and over the years we've gathered a list of suggestions. Though spring is coming, it's not too...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Dozing train driver creates a nightmare

The transport ministry said Thursday it is considering administrative penalties against West Japan Railway Co. over an incident in which a driver fell asleep at the helm of a bullet train.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2003

Abductees' kin seek audience in U.S.

Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea said Thursday they plan to visit the United States next week to seek both government and public help in settling the abduction issue.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Feb 28, 2003

Dissension making life difficult for Roeder, West Ham

LONDON -- West Ham United captain Paolo di Canio accused manager Glenn Roeder of lying while defender Tomas Repka and goalkeeper David James squared off against other at West Bromwich Albion last Sunday. Can you imagine what the mood in the camp would have been had West Ham lost instead of winning 2-1?...
MORE SPORTS
Feb 27, 2003

Sato eyes Japan's last berth for Paris

OSAKA -- Up-and-coming Atsushi Sato is staking Japan's final marathon berth for this summer's World Athletics Championships in Paris on next Sunday's Biwako (Lake Biwa) Mainichi Marathon in Shiga Prefecture.
EDITORIALS
Feb 27, 2003

New BOJ head's main task

On March 20, former Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Toshihiko Fukui will replace current BOJ Gov. Masaru Hayami as head of Japan's central bank. Mr. Fukui, now director of the Fujitsu Research Institute, will be assisted by two new deputies: Mr. Toshiro Muto, former vice minister of finance, and Mr. Kazumasa...
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2003

Man arrested over platform altercation resulting in coma

A 42-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly punching a man, who later fell into a coma, at JR Nippori Station last year after they bumped into each other, police said.
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2003

Artist to bedazzle Yokohama

Starting in April, Hiro Yamagata will bombard onlookers in Yokohama with images of an ever-changing universe.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 27, 2003

Persecuted for centuries, Iraq's Assyrian Christians once again wary of their future

LONDON -- Iraq's 1.2 million Assyrian Christians -- remnants of the Assyrian empire and the only people who still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ -- are once again the victims of circumstances beyond their control. Unlike the Kurds, the Assyrians are all but ignored in discussions over Iraq's...
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2003

Asahara trial's closing arguments may come in April

Prosecutors may present their closing arguments in late April in the trial of Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara, who stands accused of murder and other heinous crimes, including masterminding two deadly sarin attacks, legal sources said Wednesday.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / GARDEN PATHS
Feb 27, 2003

Plants of blooming passion

On a gray February day, gardeners may be looking at colorful seed catalogs or even holiday brochures, dreaming of a trip to a tropical island. But this week it's time to leave your armchair gardening, because the tropics have come to Tokyo. The Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival offers a...
JAPAN
Feb 27, 2003

Application time limit for asylum may be scrapped

The government plans to scrap a widely criticized rule that says refugee applications can only be accepted within 60 days of an individual's arrival, according to a draft bill.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 26, 2003

Yamaguchi fraud appeal rejected

The Tokyo High Court on Tuesday trimmed six months off former Labor Minister Toshio Yamaguchi's four-year prison sentence for fraud and embezzlement.
COMMENTARY
Feb 26, 2003

Asia losing a great leader with the departure of Kim

MANILA -- As resident representative of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation for six years in South Korea, I was given the honor of meeting Kim Dae Jung on several occasions both as leader of the opposition and as president. Kim is internationally renown primarily as a political and economic reformer and...
BUSINESS
Feb 26, 2003

Opposition parties to call for change in budget for 2003

Four opposition parties agreed Tuesday to jointly urge the government to make changes worth 1.7 trillion yen to the 81.79 trillion yen budget for fiscal 2003 submitted to the Diet in late January.
JAPAN
Feb 26, 2003

Japan plays down North Korean missile provocation

The government tried Tuesday to play down the impact of North Korea firing a surface-to-ship missile into the Sea of Japan, saying launches of short-range missiles do not violate the Pyongyang Declaration.
EDITORIALS
Feb 26, 2003

Challenges for Mr. Roh Moo Hyun

South Korea continues its impressive transition to genuine democracy this week with the inauguration of Mr. Roh Moo Hyun as the country's 16th president. Mr. Roh could be a pivotal figure in South Korean history, perhaps even more significant than the man who preceded him, Mr. Kim Dae Jung. If the new...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Feb 26, 2003

Theatrical history in the making

This production is the stuff of theater history: Don't miss it. That, essentially, is all that needs to be said about the miraculous new staging of "Pericles" by Yukio Ninagawa.
BUSINESS / ON MANAGEMENT
Feb 25, 2003

The perils of package deals: When the client comes with a loved one, buckle your seatbelt

If there is one area of expertise that is perhaps underestimated in business, it is the need and ability to negotiate with the package deals that come with certain clients, customers, buyers or suppliers. I'm talking about those people whose talents or patronage you desire, but who come with strings...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2003

Mountain queen not done yet

Imagine all the possibilities. Open up a world map. Decide where, when, how and with whom. Then pack your knapsack and go. It's that simple for Junko Tabei when it comes to climbing mountains, no matter how high.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Feb 24, 2003

Like real reforms, banking crisis this spring unlikely to materialize

Each spring in recent years, people have started talking about a financial crisis in Japan as the month of March draws near. In about five weeks, most Japanese firms will be closing their books for fiscal 2002, and I would like to discuss this year's situation from several perspectives.
COMMENTARY
Feb 24, 2003

Reform of the fourth estate

I was stunned by recent media reports that Takuhiko Tsuruta, president of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, had become a whistle-blowing target. At a company shareholders meeting, a proposal demanding Tsuruta's dismissal from the board was presented by an editor and shareholder of the newspaper. Tsuruta...
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM NEW YORK
Feb 24, 2003

When is a war crime not a war crime?

NEW YORK -- Gunning down civilians on the ground in war may constitute a war crime, but blasting civilians out of existence from high in the sky does not. Or so the general rule seems to be.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 23, 2003

Restructuring the U.N. Security Council

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Although we live in an era of sad comparisons between the current status of the United Nations and the demise of the old League of Nations, let us hope and assume that the U.N. will survive its immense test without being relegated to "irrelevancy" and substituted by new formations...
COMMENTARY
Feb 23, 2003

Iraq crisis increases risks for Musharraf

ISLAMABAD -- Protesters marching in Pakistani streets during worldwide demonstrations last weekend against United States-led plans to attack Iraq have triggered fresh speculation about the South Asian country's future relations with Washington. Pakistan has been a key U.S. ally in the fight against terror...

Longform

A small shrine perched atop rocks braves the waves hitting the shoreline during a storm in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture. The area is under threat of a possible 31-meter-high tsunami if an earthquake strikes the nearby Nankai Trough.
If the 'Big One' hits, this city could face a 31-meter-high tsunami