Search - 2004

 
 
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2004

Mobile phone giants strive for pre-eminence in 3G market

Anticipating that third-generation services will dominate the mobile phone market within a few years, NTT DoCoMo Inc., KDDI Corp., and Vodafone K.K. are rolling out new handsets with a range of advanced 3G functions.
JAPAN
Jan 6, 2004

Golf courses and gardens may be added to CO2 calculation

Japan may include golf courses and gardens in residential and public areas, including those at shrines, in carbon dioxide absorption calculations to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Environment Ministry officials said Monday.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 5, 2004

Falling dollar barely changes trade flow

WASHINGTON -- We hear about record breaking declines in the value of the dollar, rising U.S. trade deficits and a retrenchment of inward investment flows. Cassandra-like voices point to the war-caused budget deficit, foresee a growing U.S. dependence on the mercy of foreigners and predict the imminent...
EDITORIALS
Jan 4, 2004

Ten words that mirror a year

It's the time of year when people try to make sense of the past 12 months by coming up with lists -- the best this and the worst that, what was in and what was out and, above all, Top 10 Everything. Some of the latter lists are so familiar and expected that New Year's wouldn't be the same without them:...
JAPAN
Jan 4, 2004

Planned new Tokyo bank threatens lenders that are presently struggling

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is beginning steps to establish a new bank to support small and medium-size companies in April 2005 by starting work on drawing up the details of its services, a task that will be completed by September.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jan 4, 2004

Innovative dance program aims to shift the balance

In the arena of artistic production, a publicly run performing arts facility on the Sea of Japan coast is issuing a challenge to Tokyo, the nation's center of cultural activity. The Niigata City Performing Arts Center (Ryutopia) has tapped Jo Kanamori, a 29-year-old star dancer and choreographer, to...
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2004

Japan hoping to make Athens Games a gold rush

Japanese athletes are expected to figure in a rush on gold medals at the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens, on the strength of their showing in world championships in swimming, track and field, gymnastics and women's wrestling.
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2004

Hashimoto urges Koizumi to diversify diplomacy

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is sticking to his guns in supporting the United States, even on the contentious Iraq war.
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2004

Constitution seen being sidestepped as Japan weighs new defense policies

On Dec. 19, the day the National Security Council met to approve the purchase of a U.S.-developed missile defense system, the government announced it will update the country's basic defense program by the end of 2004.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 31, 2003

Visaless foreigners easy scapegoats

One night in December, Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa and Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara got together to "inspect" the Kabukicho entertainment district in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, as dozens of government officials, reporters and spectators dogged their steps.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / NEW ART SEEN
Dec 31, 2003

Looking back to find new beginnings

New Year's is about endings and beginnings. People we've lost, places we've discovered, what's gone and what's to come. Some thoughts as we cross over:
BUSINESS
Dec 31, 2003

Japan needs to develop coordinated trade policy amid era of FTA talks

Japan is beginning to realize the importance of adopting a coordinated trade policy to gain the upper hand in negotiations on free-trade agreements with other Asian countries in 2004.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 30, 2003

Japan set to waive most of Iraq's debt, Koizumi tells U.S.

In a significant policy shift, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi signaled Monday that Japan is prepared to waive a "vast majority" of Iraq's foreign debt.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 30, 2003

What are your New Year's resolutions for 2004?

Bronwyn Edwards Student, 30
JAPAN
Dec 29, 2003

Baker arrives to ask for Iraq debt relief

James Baker, U.S. President George W. Bush's special envoy, arrived Sunday in Tokyo to ask for Japan's cooperation in reducing Iraq's foreign debt.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Dec 29, 2003

Enough monkey biz for year of the sheep

The new year approaches, and according to the Chinese zodiac sign calendar it will be the year of the monkey. Just what kind of monkey business awaits the animal in its namesake year is anybody's guess. The hunch is there will be no lack of such activity.
COMMENTARY
Dec 29, 2003

Japan eyes penalty options

Resumption of six-party talks aimed at halting North Korea's nuclear-arms development, originally planned for December, has been postponed to sometime beyond January. Since the United States and North Korea remain deadlocked over the wording of a joint statement on the abolition of North Korea's nuclear-arms...
JAPAN
Dec 28, 2003

Immigration controls to be stepped up at ports across Japan

The Justice Ministry is planning to step up immigration controls at local airports and seaports in fiscal 2004 by introducing teams of officers skilled at detecting fake currency and travel documents, ministry officials said Saturday.
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 27, 2003

Road to Athens

Japan's Under-22 side will face Iran in a friendly next February in its buildup for the final qualification tournament for the 2004 Athens Olympics, the Japan Football Association said Friday.
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2003

Too soon to say who will foot Yamaichi bill

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Friday that the outstanding balance of emergency loans by the Bank of Japan to Yamaichi Securities Co., which collapsed in 1997, must first be determined before discussing who will foot the final bill.
BUSINESS
Dec 26, 2003

Fujitsu set to forge chip alliance with Sumitomo Electric

Fujitsu Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. will merge their compound semiconductor operations this spring in response to growing demand for chips used in digital products and communications devices, Fujitsu officials said Thursday.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Dec 25, 2003

Be good to your rice and your rice will be good

"Aaaaah. Nihonjin dana . . . (Ahh, isn't this what being Japanese is all about?)"

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji