Search - 2003

 
 
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2002

Koizumi hints at more public funds for banks

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has pledged to take every possible step to avert financial crisis, hinting at yet another injection of public money into banks suffering from bad loans.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2002

Theater eyes alliance with Globe

The nation's oldest Kabuki theater in the town of Kotohira, Kagawa Prefecture, is working to forge an alliance with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, according to Kotohira Mayor Masaomi Yamashita.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 4, 2002

Town ties fate to remnants of an industry

KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- Although the new year was just around the corner, there was little joy to be seen in the southeast end of this port city.
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2002

East Asian community sought by region's leaders

While China drew much media attention by declaring its bid to conclude a free-trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations within 10 years, the creation of an even bigger Asian community including ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea has turned up as a hot topic.
BUSINESS
Jan 3, 2002

Tax panel chief leans toward broader base, not rate cuts

Tax Commission chief Hiromitsu Ishi said Wednesday he does not favor cutting taxes to stimulate the economy; instead he would broaden the tax base to better help the government fill its depleted coffers.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 29, 2001

JABBA bans foreigners from C'ships

said on Friday that foreign players registered in the Japan Basketball League (JBL) will not be allowed to take part in the 2003 national championships. JABBA explained that the rule was taken to allow Japanese players increased playing opportunities.
BUSINESS
Dec 28, 2001

Mitsubishi Electric in U.S. unit move

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said Thursday it will establish a holding company in Los Angeles on April 1 to manage its seven U.S. subsidiaries.
JAPAN / STAGING A COMEBACK
Dec 27, 2001

Top schools eye uneasy alliance with private sector

The agenda of top-flight domestic schools such as the University of Tokyo is changing along with the turbulent economic climate.
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2001

Fukuda backs postal revamp date

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda expressed support Wednesday for a reported plan by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to privatize in 2005 a postal public corporation to be created in 2003.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Dec 27, 2001

No Christmas cheer this year

Christmas, or more precisely ohshogatsu (the New Year), is a time when most people in Japan can take a vacation. But not for the top rugby players at high school, university and company level.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2001

Building-materials publishers under fire

The nation's public works projects -- notorious for their lack of transparency -- have sucked up tens of trillions of yen in taxpayers' money for decades, pushing government coffers to the brink of crisis.
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2001

Argentina debt default to hit Japanese investors

Japanese investors are set to suffer losses on part of the 191.5 billion yen worth of yen-denominated "samurai" bonds issued by the Argentine government due to its declaration of a default on its $132 billion debt, according to industry officials.
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2001

Building on the euro's success

PARIS -- Created in 1360 to help pay the ransom for King John II the Good following his capture by the Black Prince's English forces at the battle of Poitiers, the French franc is living its final days. From Jan. 1, it, along with the currencies of most other Western European nations, will be replaced...
JAPAN
Dec 26, 2001

Cabinet OKs civil-servant merit system

The government agreed Tuesday on a civil service reform framework that includes a merit-based salary system and rules governing the employment of retired civil servants in the private sector.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2001

Foreigners may join panel on protection of human rights

A Justice Ministry panel has proposed that the ministry consider including foreigners on the country's human rights protection commission. Members of the body voluntarily provide consultations and raise awareness.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 23, 2001

Argentina has no choice but to default

NEW YORK -- Argentina is now experiencing one of its most severe economic and social crises in recent history. Riots are spreading through the country and the government seems increasingly unable to control the situation. The declaration of a state of siege for 30 days, although a necessary measure to...
EDITORIALS
Dec 22, 2001

Reform budget a double-edged sword

The Finance Ministry's draft general-account budget, which was unveiled Thursday, is the first under the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Living up to his "fiscal reform" slogan, he has kept his pledge to cap bond issuance at 30 trillion yen. The borrowing limit, however, is a "double-edged...
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2001

Bloc agrees to reform civil-servant pay system

The three ruling parties approved a government plan Friday to introduce a new wage system for national government officials based on competency and achievements, party officials said.
BUSINESS
Dec 20, 2001

Fujisawa, Dutch firm enter tieup

OSAKA -- Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. said Wednesday it has signed a licensing agreement with Dutch medical technology group Jomed NV in the field of medical equipment for treating cardiac disease.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Dec 19, 2001

No Big Mac, no surprise

It should not be a surprise to anyone that Mark McGwire is not going to play for the Chunichi Dragons next season.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2001

Shiodome development to spruce up center of Tokyo

The southern half of central Tokyo is teaming with development projects aimed at reviving a city long criticized for its lack of space and greenery.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2001

250 billion yen shifted from tax for roads

The government will divert some 250 billion yen in revenue from the car weight tax, currently funneled into road construction, to other purposes in fiscal 2002, government sources said Saturday.
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2001

Growth forecast at minus 0.3%

The government is likely to set its official growth forecast for fiscal 2002 at minus 0.3 percent in the wake of news that the economy contracted a real 0.5 percent in the July-September quarter, government sources said Friday.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 7, 2001

Hara for FC Tokyo

FC Tokyo has named former Urawa Reds boss Hiromi Hara as the team's new manager for next season, officials of the J. League first-division side said Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Dec 7, 2001

Deregulation panel seeks to relax medical advertising curbs

A final report currently being drafted by a government deregulation panel says restrictions on advertising by medical institutions should be relaxed by the end of March, panel sources said Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2001

Sudan urges resumption of economic cooperation

Concerned about continued sanctions by the United States, the Republic of Sudan urged Japan on Tuesday to resume economic cooperation, particularly in the oil industry.
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2001

Hotel tax aired at Tokyo assembly

A bill that would add a tax of up to 200 yen per stay at Tokyo hotels was presented to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on the first day of its regular session Tuesday.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 5, 2001

Hot rock for Genghis Khan

"I want to create a wadaiko dance collaboration with Michael Jackson."

Longform

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