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Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Feb 4, 2003

Kitting out the big man in Japan

If this writer had to pick a Tom Hanks film to depict his three-and-a-half decades of life in this country, it would be a tossup between "Forrest Gump" and "Big."
BUSINESS
Feb 4, 2003

Koizumi to choose new BOJ chief earlier

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said late Monday he will name a new Bank of Japan governor around Feb. 20, but stopped short of saying who would get the job.
BUSINESS
Feb 1, 2003

Shiokawa happy with increase in unemployment

Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa, who has a history of putting his foot in his mouth, blundered again Friday by stating that the unemployment rate's rise to a record 5.5 percent in December was "good news."
JAPAN
Jan 31, 2003

FTC orders Iwamisawa to curb public works role

The Fair Trade Commission on Thursday ordered the city of Iwamisawa in Hokkaido to take action aimed at curbing its excessive involvement in city-sponsored public works projects.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2003

Japan agrees with conclusion drawn by U.N. inspectors

Japan agrees with the conclusion of the United Nations inspectors that Iraq has failed to cooperate sufficiently with their probe into its suspected weapons of mass destruction program.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2003

Panel members at odds over Monju ruling

Members of the Atomic Energy Commission on Tuesday voiced mixed views over a high court ruling the previous day that nullified the government's approval in 1983 of the Monju fast-breeder reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 26, 2003

It's time Japan woke up to refugee problem

The Foreign Ministry's lack of a coherent policy with regard to North Korea was obvious back in autumn, when public opinion forced the government to renege on its promise to Pyongyang that the five Japanese abductees would return to the communist nation after a two-week visit to Japan. The five are now...
JAPAN
Jan 25, 2003

Japan, U.S. together on Pyongyang

Japan and the U.S. agreed Friday that they and South Korea should consult closely with each other in dealing with the standoff over North Korea's development of nuclear weapons if and when the United Nations Security Council takes it up.
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2003

Resona to issue new shares if adequacy ratio falls

OSAKA -- Resona Holdings Inc., which includes Daiwa Bank and Asahi Bank, will boost its capital by issuing new shares if its capital adequacy ratio falls as a result of increased loan-loss charges, President Yasuhisa Katsuta said in a recent interview.
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2003

Rightist admits killing politician

A 48-year-old rightwing extremist pleaded guilty Tuesday to stabbing to death Diet member Koki Ishii of the Democratic Party of Japan.
EDITORIALS
Jan 20, 2003

Shenzhen's promise for China

Twenty-two years ago, the sleepy southern Chinese city of Shenzhen became the test case for China's future. It was designated a "special economic zone," a laboratory for economic reforms that would transform the nation. Today, Shenzhen is again in the forefront of change in China. This time, the city...
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2003

Raelians' latest claim: Japanese clone is next

The controversial organization Clonaid said Sunday that a cloned Japanese boy may be born as early as Monday.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jan 19, 2003

Amateurish TV? Well let it be, just let it be

The Jan. 16 issue of Shukan Bunshun carries an article that lists and describes the 10 worst TV specials broadcast during the New Year's holidays. Coming up with a Worst 10 is not difficult, since practically any special broadcast during the New Year's break could qualify for a list of the 10 Worst Programs...
BUSINESS
Jan 18, 2003

Hazama to split into building, real estate companies Oct. 1

Struggling contractor Hazama Corp. released on Friday a three-year reconstruction plan under which it will split itself into two firms, while its president expressed a willingness to conduct management integration with other unspecified builders.
JAPAN
Jan 15, 2003

Japan may bolster Taiwan ties

The head of Japan's unofficial mission in Taipei has indicated that Tokyo may further ease its restrictions on official exchanges with Taiwan and pave the way for a trip to the country by top bureaucrats from ministries and agencies, it was learned Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jan 11, 2003

Group reveals additional 40 suspected abduction victims

An influential citizens' group investigating the abduction of Japanese citizens to North Korea released Friday a list of 40 more cases that it wants the government to look into.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 10, 2003

Takahashi setting sights on another Olympic gold in 2004

This is the second and final installment of an exclusive interview with Naoko Takahashi, the gold medalist in the 2000 Sydney Olympic women's marathon.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OUR PLANET EARTH
Jan 9, 2003

Emphasizing the positive

Perhaps more than any other individual today, Junko Edahiro is striving to share Japan's environmental successes with the world.
BUSINESS
Jan 8, 2003

Consumption tax may be raised

The government will consider raising the consumption tax to secure revenues, even though its priority remains the elimination of unnecessary spending, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2003

Stuttering reform drive prompts election whispers

Speculation is mounting that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will call a general election this year, as old guard politicians continue to hamper his reform drive and leave him appearing increasingly forlorn.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Dec 27, 2002

Let us raise a toast to six of the best in 2002

Just as, after a leisurely banquet, conversation inevitably turns to storytelling and reminiscing, in much the same vein we like to devote our final column of the year to the highlights of the past 12 months. During the course of 2002, we have cast our spotlight on more than 60 restaurants, bars and...
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 22, 2002

Nori buffaloes Mets

OSAKA -- Amid widespread speculation he was on the verge of signing a deal with the New York Mets, slugger Norihiro Nakamura announced Saturday he has instead opted to play for the Kintetsu Buffaloes for a 12th season.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Dec 22, 2002

Trial judge completes the vicious circle in curry-poisoning case

Exactly four years ago in this column, I wrote that, egged on by the media, which had already tried and convicted Masumi Hayashi for murder in the Wakayama Curry Poisoning Incident even before she was arrested, "the police . . . proudly announced that they have enough circumstantial evidence to convince...

Longform

Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most iconic players in NPB and MLB history, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 99.7% of the vote.
With Hall of Fame induction, Ichiro makes himself heard loud and clear