Search - (2006-01-27)

 
 
JAPAN
Nov 11, 2005

Panel takes aim at soaring medical benefits

The government and the ruling bloc formed a panel Thursday to discuss ways to curb growing fiscal spending on medical care benefits as the population ages and to draw up legislation by next year.
BUSINESS
Nov 11, 2005

MMC sees signs of life in first half

Struggling Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Thursday its losses narrowed significantly in the first half of fiscal 2005.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 10, 2005

Toyota woos figure skater

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday that figure skater Miki Ando will join the automaker next April after graduating from high school.
JAPAN
Nov 10, 2005

Insurance for antismoking pitch

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare proposed Wednesday to cover doctors' antismoking counseling services with public health insurance schemes as part of efforts to stem the nation's ballooning medical costs, ministry officials said.
BUSINESS
Nov 9, 2005

Koizumi unlocks auto taxes

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has ordered the government to use revenue from some auto-related taxes for purposes other than road-related projects, infrastructure minister Kazuo Kitagawa said Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Nov 9, 2005

FHI to cut jobs by 5% as first-half profit falls

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. said Tuesday that its net profit in the first half of fiscal 2005 declined 3.8 percent to 8 billion yen and announced it will cut its domestic workforce by 5 percent, or 700 workers, by the end of January.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 8, 2005

Tigers, Marines to face off in May

The Hanshin Tigers and Chiba Lotte Marines will face each either in a rematch of their Japan Series showdown last month when interleague play opens its second-year schedule on May 9 next year.
BUSINESS / JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
Nov 7, 2005

LDP fiscal policy report laudable in balancing tax hike, spending cuts

An interim report compiled Oct. 24 by the Liberal Democratic Party's study group on fiscal reform has drawn public interest as an indicator of the future direction of fiscal policy b the ruling party and the government.
JAPAN
Nov 6, 2005

Pilot program for childhood obesity

The health ministry has decided to address the growing problem of childhood obesity by promoting healthy diets for children.
SOCCER / PREMIER REPORT
Nov 5, 2005

Troubles continue to grow for struggling Manchester United

LONDON -- In the ideal world most neutrals would like both Manchester United and Chelsea to lose when the clubs meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Nov 5, 2005

Nakagawa hints at WTO compromise

Newly appointed farm minister Shoichi Nakagawa says Japan needs to make compromises where it can to contribute to progress in market-opening talks under the World Trade Organization.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 4, 2005

Marines offer Valentine new three-year contract

Lotte Marines' representative Ryuzo Setoyama said Thursday that the Pacific League club has offered Bobby Valentine a new three-year contract starting in 2006 in an apparent move to keep the Japan Series winning manager.
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2005

Plan names facilities to be protected first in attack

The Prime Minister's Official Residence, the Imperial Palace and other key facilities have been allocated top-priority status for protection under a prospective missile defense program, according to an operational plan made available Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Nov 3, 2005

Cutting deficit still top priority: Yosano

Debate over proposed tax hikes will not keep the government from trying to trim the budget deficit, according to Kaoru Yosano, the new economic and fiscal policy minister.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 3, 2005

Making a difference in Japanese cinema

Film critics, like any one else, have their pet causes -- films and careers they want to boost or bury. But unless they wield the clout of a Roger Ebert, they are just one voice in a choir that, with the Internet, is growing by the dozens every day. Singing as sweetly as they want about their favorite...
MORE SPORTS
Nov 2, 2005

Super Aguri team applies to join F1

Former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki, the first Japanese to score a podium finish in a world championship round, said Tuesday a new Honda-backed team has applied to join Formula One from next year.
EDITORIALS
Nov 2, 2005

Little time to do so much

The lineup of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's new Cabinet, formed Monday, shows his determination to put finishing touches on his reforms in the rather short time left for him. He has made clear that he will step down in September 2006. Mr. Koizumi included in his new Cabinet three politicians from...
JAPAN
Nov 2, 2005

Conservatives fight secular war memorial

A nonpartisan group of 233 conservative lawmakers adopted a resolution Tuesday against establishing a secular memorial for the war dead.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / CABINET INTERVIEW
Nov 2, 2005

Tanigaki considers how to win over public on raising taxes

For Sadakazu Tanigaki, newly reappointed as finance minister, the crucial question is not whether to raise the consumption tax, but when.
BUSINESS
Nov 2, 2005

Analysts expect new economic team to take on budget deficit

Economists on Tuesday generally welcomed the economic ministers in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's new Cabinet, saying they expect the lineup to puncture the country's ballooning budget deficits by slashing wasteful spending.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 1, 2005

Miura signs loan with Sydney FC

Former Japan striker Kazuyoshi Miura has signed for Australia's Sydney FC on a short-term loan deal, officials of his Japanese club said Monday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Nov 1, 2005

Lotte's Valentine up for three MLB jobs

Chiba Lotte Marines manager Bobby Valentine revealed Monday the Washington Nationals, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in hiring him as manager.
JAPAN
Nov 1, 2005

Takebe reappointed secretary general of LDP; Nakagawa gets policy affairs

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Junichiro Koizumi reappointed Tsutomu Takebe, 64, to the party's No. 2 post of secretary general, while switching LDP Diet affairs chief Hidenao Nakagawa to the post of policy affairs chief.
COMMENTARY
Nov 1, 2005

Reform march must go on

The Diet on Oct. 14 enacted the postal-privatization bills that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called the "centerpiece" of his reform agenda. It was a dream come true for Koizumi, after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner New Komeito won two-thirds of the Lower House seats...
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 30, 2005

Speaking volumes

Kaori Shoji
JAPAN
Oct 29, 2005

Nonpartisan panel established to study new war memorial

Senior lawmakers from the ruling coalition and the Democratic Party of Japan on Friday launched a nonpartisan panel to study the feasibility of establishing a new war memorial to bridge the rift between Japan and its neighbors over Yasukuni Shrine.

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