Search - (2006-01-27)

 
 
COMMENTARY
Jul 19, 2007

'Quad Initiative': an inharmonious concert of democracies

NEW DELHI — The newly launched Australia-India-Japan-U.S. "Quadrilateral Initiative" has raised China's hackles, but its direction is still undecided owing to differing perceptions within the group over what its aims and objectives ought to be.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 19, 2007

Is Frank Hsieh a moderate?

WASHINGTON — Frank Hsieh Chang-ting has been nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as their presidential candidate. Many in Taipei now believe he has a good chance of winning the election, assuming he does not withdraw as he has said he would if indicted on the corruption allegations...
EDITORIALS
Jul 19, 2007

Tremors spotlight nuclear plants

The earthquake that hit Niigata and Nagano prefectures on Monday brought to light safety problems that could arise at nuclear-power plants during a powerful earthquake. The magnitude-6.8 quake occurred in the Sea of Japan, only 9 km north of Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear-power...
EDITORIALS
Jul 18, 2007

Pulling the plug on Yongbyon

North Korea has shut down its plutonium-producing reactor at Yongbyon and other facilities and accepted inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Although this is a welcome development, little optimism is warranted. The shutdown means only that North Korea has stopped producing any more...
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WILD WATCH
Jul 18, 2007

Putting 'rarity' into context

Stepping outside this morning, I heard a skylark singing above the open field adjacent to where I live. It's a rare event for me, but perhaps you hear skylarks all the time. Then again, perhaps you have never heard that silvery cascade of notes pouring endlessly from high in the sky.
BUSINESS
Jul 18, 2007

DoCoMo to sell Japanese BlackBerry

Aiming to challenge the dominance of cell phones, Research In Motion Ltd. of Canada will launch a Japanese version of the BlackBerry 8707h through NTT DoCoMo Inc.'s sales network next Monday, targeting corporate users, the companies said Tuesday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jul 16, 2007

Collins preaches patience in building a winning ballclub

For young players, there may not a more unforgiving sport than baseball. In a sport that masks its complex nature beneath an overlaying simplicity, even the best players fail more than they succeed.
EDITORIALS
Jul 16, 2007

Smoother trade in East Asia

The trade ministry's fiscal 2007 white paper calls for creation of an "open and seamless" economic system in East Asia where Japanese companies have already established strong business networks. Behind the call is recognition that a dynamic East Asian economy is indispensable for Japan's economic growth....
Reader Mail
Jul 15, 2007

Domains of science, religion

Admittedly, Peter Milward, in his June 24 letter "Cute description of creation," laid himself open to misinterpretation by injudiciously using a term like "intelligent design" in his reaction to Rowan Hooper's June 13 article, "Religion's cute, but creation chemistry is complex." But Milward did not...
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Jul 15, 2007

'Tasty science' puts mystery on the menu

Fed up with foie gras; tired of truffles; and simply sick of sturgeons' eggs? If you're one of those gourmets who's gagging for a new and taste-transporting experience, Tapas Molecular Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo hotel may be the eatery of your dreams.
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Jul 13, 2007

Journeys of self-discovery

While many young Japanese go to Canada to study English and some retirees enjoy holidays there, the number of Canadian theater companies staging performances in Japan are few and far between.
EDITORIALS
Jul 13, 2007

Upper House campaign commences

The campaign for the July 29 Upper House election has officially started. It is the first national election since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office in September 2006. Under the Abe administration so far, the Fundamental Law of Education has been revised to instill patriotism in children and strengthen...
BUSINESS
Jul 13, 2007

McCafes to test coffee shop market

McDonald's is set to take on Starbucks in Japan with a new chain of coffee shops brewing up bargain lattes, the fast food chain said Thursday.
JAPAN / UPPER HOUSE SHOWDOWN
Jul 13, 2007

Fans hail 'hero' Fujimori's Diet bid

Disgraced former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's supporters hailed him as a hero as they took to Tokyo's streets to kick off his campaign in absentia for the July 29 House of Councilors poll.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 12, 2007

Enabling a war-ravaged state to recover

NEW YORK — War-ravaged countries confront a double challenge: to create dynamic economies and to promote, at the same time, economic and social inclusion. Without both of these elements, national reconciliation will likely prove impossible.
BUSINESS
Jul 12, 2007

Wholesale inflation surges on oil, materials costs

Wholesale inflation accelerated in June as oil and other commodity prices rose, prompting food and packaging companies to pass on costs to clients, the Bank of Japan said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jul 12, 2007

Corporate bankruptcies up 32.4%

Corporate bankruptcies rose 32.4 percent in June from a year earlier, the ninth straight month for the number of business failures to rise, a private research agency said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Jul 12, 2007

Lone Star's acquisitions of golf courses suffering in economic recovery

The economy is so healthy it's bad for business, according to Mitsuo Hirose, who heads golf operations in Japan for John Grayken's Lone Star Funds.
EDITORIALS
Jul 11, 2007

Premature plan for devolution

A study group within the Liberal Democratic Party has submitted an interim report on introducing the "doshu" system of regional governments to the Abe administration. The crux of the idea is to divide the nation into nine to 13 regional blocs and give them greater autonomy than they have now.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 11, 2007

Palestinians' 'Blair option' needs help

LOS ANGELES — The release of an abducted BBC journalist in Gaza is being seen by some as an attempt by Hamas (which denies any part in the kidnapping) to curry favor with Tony Blair, who on stepping down as Britain's prime minister was appointed international envoy to Israel and Palestine. Blair has...
JAPAN
Jul 10, 2007

Are SIA workers the pension scapegoat?

Naoyuki Haga, chief secretary of the Social Insurance Agency employee union, fears he and many of his coworkers will lose their jobs when a new government-backed corporation begins handling pension payments in 2010 and the SIA is closed down.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Jul 10, 2007

Wronged employees seek redress through mediation

Imagine you feel wronged by your employer and find simply sharing your work woes with friends and chat groups inadequate. You want compensation and acknowledgment that your employer acted unjustly.
COMMENTARY
Jul 9, 2007

Next stage of emission cuts

Speaking at the 13th International "Future of Asia" conference in Tokyo May 24, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a set of comprehensive strategies for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions.

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