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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.
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.
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...
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 28, 2003

U.N. voice for 'civil society'

In his opening address in Beijing to the U.N. conference on the question of Palestine on Dec. 16, China's Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo paid particular at- tention to the role of civil society -- academic and business communities, nongovernmental organizations and others -- in appealing for peace...
JAPAN
Dec 27, 2003

Mori calls for caution over Taiwan referendum

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori urged Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian to exercise caution on a proposed referendum on Chinese missiles in order to avoid exacerbating tensions between Taiwan and China, according to Japanese members of his entourage.
COMMENTARY
Dec 26, 2003

Blair's overcast breaking up

LONDON -- As the old year turns, life is looking a little brighter for the besieged British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his team, thanks to a few lucky breaks.
BUSINESS
Dec 25, 2003

Local governments to lose subsidies worth 1 trillion yen

The national government will cut about 1.030 trillion yen in subsidies to local governments in fiscal 2004, while ceding them around 655.8 billion yen in funds they will be able to use at their discretion, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Communication is key to restoring tainted nuclear energy's image: paper

Communication among the government, businesses and public is key to restoring public confidence in nuclear power -- which has been tainted by accidents and scandals -- according to a government report released Friday.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

Minister orders release of asylum-seeker

Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa decided Friday to temporarily release a 46-year-old Myanmarese asylum-seeker, who had been detained for overstaying his visa since Oct. 31, citing humanitarian concerns over his two daughters.
JAPAN
Dec 20, 2003

ASDF unit gets Mideast flying orders

Preparations to send Self-Defense Forces personnel to Iraq got into full swing Friday, with Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba issuing orders for the dispatch of an advance unit.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Officials debate details of Futenma move

National and local government officials met Thursday to discuss industrial development and other issues surrounding the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Japan balks at cooperating with China in orgy probe

The top government spokesman indicated Thursday it will be difficult for Japan to accept China's call to cooperate in an investigation into an orgy at a south China hotel in September involving hundreds of Japanese businessmen and Chinese prostitutes.
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2003

Savings for 82.1 trillion yen budget eyed

Cabinet ministers agreed Thursday on key spending cuts for the next fiscal year, paving the way for the Finance Ministry to release its blueprint for the fiscal 2004 budget.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 19, 2003

Canberra's silly season of politics

SYDNEY -- Midsummer madness is already upon us. Australians can always tell when the silly season strikes by the antics of Canberra politicians. This time it's come early -- and they're playing their games with comic vengeance.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2003

Core dispatch set for February

The first main Ground Self-Defense Force contingent will head to Iraq in February to engage in reconstruction assistance after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi gives the final go-ahead, according to Defense Agency documents.
BUSINESS
Dec 18, 2003

Real growth projection seen at 1.8%

The government is expected to set its fiscal 2004 economic growth projection at 1.8 percent in real terms and 0.5 percent in nominal terms, official sources said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2003

Japanese Embassy in Baghdad issues alert

The Japanese Embassy in Baghdad has asked Japanese nationals to refrain from visiting it for the time being after receiving threats of attack, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2003

Koizumi era sees China ties deteriorate

Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have grown ever more thorny since the demise of pro-China politicians such as former Prime Ministers Noboru Takeshita and Keizo Obuchi.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2003

Japan, ASEAN look to future

The summit between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations closed here Friday with leaders signing a "special relationship" declaration.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2003

ASDF advance team to be sent to Qatar, Kuwait

Japan plans to send a 10-member Air Self-Defense Force advance team to Qatar and Kuwait on Dec. 25 under a special law that allows for the dispatch of Japanese troops to aid the reconstruction of Iraq, according to government sources.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2003

Radiation-protection measures for troops undecided: Ishiba

The government has not decided whether to take steps to protect Iraq-bound Self-Defense Forces troops against radiation contamination suspected to have been caused by U.S. and British forces, Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba said Friday.
JAPAN
Dec 12, 2003

Japan plays it cool over Taiwan flap

Japan stood on the sidelines Thursday over U.S. President George W. Bush's blunt statement opposing Taiwan's move to hold a referendum critical of China's military threat.
BUSINESS
Dec 11, 2003

Business chiefs welcome SDF dispatch

Business leaders on Wednesday welcomed the decision by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet to dispatch up to 600 noncombat ground troops to Iraq to help with reconstruction work.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.