Search - 2004

 
 
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 17, 2003

Tsujimoto to face fraud charges

Tokyo police will establish a criminal case against former Social Democratic Party lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto on suspicion of fraud by skimming government salaries for her policy secretaries, according to investigative sources.
BUSINESS
Jul 12, 2003

Mortgage tax break may continue

Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Friday he may consider extending the tax break on mortgages as part of efforts to boost the economy.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 11, 2003

Paris plays multilateral card

SINGAPORE — Although one of the most notable moments at the June 1-3 Group of Eight summit in Evian, France, was the rapprochement between U.S. President George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac, Franco-American relations have not been completely restored. Senior Bush administration officials...
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 11, 2003

Narita looks to privatization, more profits, lower landing fees

With legislation for privatizing Narita airport set to win Diet approval Friday, the head of the operating authority pledged to do his utmost to make Japan's main gateway more profitable so it can go public in a few years after becoming a wholly state-owned joint stock corporation.
EDITORIALS
Jul 10, 2003

Wrong light at the end of the tunnel

Stock prices and long-term interest rates in Japan have climbed rapidly of late. On Monday, the Nikkei index hit a 10-month high of 9,795 points while yields on 10-year benchmark government bonds topped 1 percent, more than double the level of a month earlier. That is good news if it signals an upturn...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 9, 2003

Did sports rags hire students to stuff ballot box for Godzilla?

A couple of selections from the mail bag this week.
BUSINESS
Jul 8, 2003

Volkswagen SUV bound for Japan

The Japanese unit of German automaker Volkswagen said Monday the company's first luxury sport utility vehicle, the Touareg, will debut in Japan on Sept. 2.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 7, 2003

A productive EU presidency for Greece

"The Greek presidency succeeded because it had good cooperation with everyone," said Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the outgoing president of the European Council, while addressing the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on July 1. All in Europe realize, he added,...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2003

Famed sailor Horie plots nonstop circumnavigation

Yachtsman Kenichi Horie, who has twice circumnavigated the globe, will take up a new challenge in October 2004 when he embarks on a solo nonstop voyage around the world eastbound around Cape Horn in a boat made of recycled materials.
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2003

Immigration procedures to be faster for foreign visitors

The government will speed up entry procedures at immigration for foreign visitors and support training for tourism personnel to attract more sightseers to Japan, government sources said Friday.
BUSINESS
Jul 5, 2003

Isuzu to supply Elf to Mazda in cost-reduction bid

Isuzu Motors Ltd. will start supplying the Elf small truck to Mazda Motor Corp. late next year on an original-equipment-manufacturing basis, the firms said Friday.
BUSINESS
Jul 4, 2003

Softbank to open Net game portal

Softbank Corp. is opening an online game portal in an effort to boost the number of subscribers to its broadband service, the Japanese Internet company said Thursday.
BUSINESS
Jul 2, 2003

Shiokawa seeks budget flexibility

The government plans to include funds for multiyear "model" projects in the fiscal 2004 budget, Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa said Tuesday.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jul 2, 2003

On a director's storyboard far, far away

Is there a person in the Western world -- or even globally, given Hollywood's cultural reach -- who is unaware of "Star Wars"? In a society increasingly described as amnesiac, in which pop culture seems to come with an expiry date, George Lucas' movie trilogy (now with two -- soon to be three -- "prequels")...
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2003

Chongryun may lose tax-exempt status

An increasing number of local governments are reconsidering their policy of making facilities of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun) either partially or entirely exempt from fixed-asset taxation, according to a Kyodo News survey.
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2003

Chongryun may lose tax-exempt status

An increasing number of local governments are reconsidering their policy of making facilities of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun) either partially or entirely exempt from fixed-asset taxation, according to a Kyodo News survey.
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2003

Chongryun may lose tax-exempt status

An increasing number of local governments are reconsidering their policy of making facilities of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun) either partially or entirely exempt from fixed-asset taxation, according to a Kyodo News survey.
JAPAN
Jun 30, 2003

DPJ may soften stance over SDF dispatch bill

The Democratic Party of Japan may consider discussing with the ruling coalition revisions to a government bill to allow the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces to help with the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, a senior DPJ official said Sunday.
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2003

FSA lists rules on bank side businesses

The Financial Services Agency has drawn up rules for regional lenders operating sideline businesses, such as providing advice to companies or leasing unused office space, FSA sources said Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2003

FSA lists rules on bank side businesses

The Financial Services Agency has drawn up rules for regional lenders operating sideline businesses, such as providing advice to companies or leasing unused office space, FSA sources said Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2003

FSA lists rules on bank side businesses

The Financial Services Agency has drawn up rules for regional lenders operating sideline businesses, such as providing advice to companies or leasing unused office space, FSA sources said Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2003

Campaign to push use of mass transit for Kyoto target

The government said Friday it will campaign in 14 locations across Japan to encourage people to use public transport instead of cars.
JAPAN
Jun 28, 2003

Campaign to push use of mass transit for Kyoto target

The government said Friday it will campaign in 14 locations across Japan to encourage people to use public transport instead of cars.
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2003

Prime minister's visitors can slip away via tunnel

A tunnel being built under the new prime minister's office building to link it with the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office will allow those wanting to avoid reporters after meeting Japan's leader to skulk away unseen, according to political sources.
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2003

Prime minister's visitors can slip away via tunnel

A tunnel being built under the new prime minister's office building to link it with the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office will allow those wanting to avoid reporters after meeting Japan's leader to skulk away unseen, according to political sources.
JAPAN
Jun 27, 2003

Prime minister's visitors can slip away via tunnel

A tunnel being built under the new prime minister's office building to link it with the Cabinet Secretariat and Cabinet Office will allow those wanting to avoid reporters after meeting Japan's leader to skulk away unseen, according to political sources.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 27, 2003

Nissan enters luxury minivan fray with remodeled Presage

Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday it will debut a remodeled version of the Presage luxury minivan on the domestic market July 24 in a bid to win the intensifying competition in that vehicle category.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Jun 27, 2003

Real Madrid kept quiet on Queiroz during Beckham transfer

LONDON -- One of the hallmarks of any successful businessman is to plan ahead for all eventualities, to have a Plan B in place should a major decision have to be taken suddenly.
EDITORIALS
Jun 26, 2003

Europe peeks at a new constitution

The European Union unveiled its draft constitution last weekend. The document overhauls the institutions and procedures of the union of 15 countries to better prepare it for the expansion scheduled for 2004 when 10 new members are added. The constitution navigates between two imperatives: safeguarding...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 26, 2003

Self-cooled kegs? Suds too good to be true

Kirin Brewery Co. will begin test sales July 15 of a draft beer product contained in a self-cooling keg that does not need electricity or cooling devices.

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