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Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Global language question open

Don't believe that English is, or will be, the international language. I live in London and if anyone says to me that everyone speaks English, my answer is, listen and look around. So, if everyone in London is not speaking English, then the whole question of a global language is completely open.
Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Robots reflect attitude toward life

In the March 25 article, "Programmed for combat or for pleasure," the United States appears to be praised for using robots practically — as weapons of war — while Japan is chastised for "sitting on the sidelines." We get the sense that Japan is being naive while the U.S. is the responsible trendsetter. ...
Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Both party leaders should resign

Regarding the March 27 article "Aso rating up, at Ozawa's expense": I can understand the recent drop in support for Democratic Party of Japan president Ichiro Ozawa as I personally think he should resign, but why does this translate into increased support for Prime Minister Taro Aso and the Liberal Democratic...
Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Put 'Terminator' back in the box

The article "Programmed for combat or for pleasure" is so sad. The author has written quite an article on robots, in praise of an American-authored book. But one can find overt, if not pompous, references to how America has used robotic technology to further its military interests. Littered throughout...
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 5, 2009

Two decades past Poland's 'compromise'

WARSAW — "Poland — ten years, Hungary — ten months, East Germany — ten weeks, Czechoslovakia — ten days."
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Apr 5, 2009

Marines show mettle in comeback victory

CHIBA — The Chiba Lotte Marines squandered a two-run lead in their first game against the Seibu Lions.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Apr 5, 2009

Gender-bender drama, 'Three Kingdoms' spinoff anime, little-known big biz

In Japan, the term "new half" usually refers to a man who becomes a woman through some sort of medical procedure, but on the new daytime drama series, "Mama wa New Half" ("Mom is a New Half") (TV Tokyo, Mon.-Fri., 1 p.m.) it simply describes a man who performs in drag at a special "new-half pub" in Tokyo....
MORE SPORTS / ICE TIME
Apr 5, 2009

Time for Mao to consider Morozov

She could have taken the easy way out, played it safe, and walked away with another medal at the world championships.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 5, 2009

Dead ends, about turns abound in the politics of roads

About a year ago, the government was all in a lather about extending the gasoline tax. Local governments and the ruling coalition, not to mention interested bureaucracies, wanted to continue the tax because they said the revenues were necessary to build more roads. Opposition parties were against the...
Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Launch watch worsens anxiety

Like the 1998 test-firing of a long-range Taepodong 1 missile through Japanese airspace and the 2004 test-firing of a short-range missile into the Sea of Japan, the reverberations of North Korea's planned rocket launch this month have not only caused tensions with its Asian neighbors, especially Japan,...
CULTURE / Books
Apr 5, 2009

Looking at history: the argument for facts over theory

Positivism in historiography means an emphasis on facts over theory, documentary evidence over deductions from premises. It may also be called "nitty-gritticism," George Akita suggests in "Evaluating Evidence," a book that recounts the author's dealing with primary sources and the problems he has come...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Apr 5, 2009

Ireland says values of Asian culture were key at WBC

Much has been written and said about the reasons two Asian teams played in the recent World Baseball Classic final and why Japan came out on top against South Korea.
COMMENTARY
Apr 5, 2009

NATO at 60 faces growing pains that could threaten its survival

LONDON — The questions that nobody will ask out loud about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: How much is enough?
BASKETBALL / BJ-LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
Apr 5, 2009

Washington, Ryukyu forwards recognized for excellence in March

Two-time league MVP Lynn Washington knows how to inspire his Osaka Evessa teammates.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / INSIDE LOOK
Apr 5, 2009

Dreaming of a hoop career back in Japan

NEW YORK — Editor's note: After appearing in 105 games for Columbia University and ending his college career third on the school's all-time 3-pointers made list (173), shooting guard K.J. Matsui took time away from his busy academic workload to reflect on his playing days and look ahead to the future....
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2009

No need to keep vigil of sky for falling objects: Kawamura

Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura assured the public Saturday that there was little chance that part of the rocket North Korean plans to send over the country will actually fall on Japanese soil.
CULTURE / Books / THE ASIAN BOOKSHELF
Apr 5, 2009

Deciphering 'A Page of Madness'

Teinosuke Kinugasa's "A Page of Madness" ("Kurutta Ichipeiji," 1926) was long thought lost. Only some 75 years later did the discovery of the missing negative allow the picture to be finally viewed by the present generation. At the same time there emerged a critical need to evaluate it because it seemed...
EDITORIALS
Apr 5, 2009

G20 stands up to crisis

Only history will judge whether last week's meeting of the Group of 20 nations did in fact provide a floor to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Equally uncertain is whether the conclave marked the emergence of a new economic order, as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declared upon...
Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Attack on Ozawa politically suspect

The arrest of Democratic Party of Japan party leader Ichiro Ozawa's secretary reminds me of what happened to Malaysia's de facto opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested in 1999 and again last year under sodomy laws.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / OLD NIC'S NOTEBOOK
Apr 5, 2009

Swapping snow for a rain forest

Although there was very little snow this winter here where I live in the Nagano Prefecture hills, it was still good to have an excuse to get away from the cold, and the excuse this time was to present a prize for the writer and illustrator of a book for little children.
Reader Mail
Apr 5, 2009

Aso tax-break plan seems bold

Regarding the March 29 article "Aso mulling tax break for wealthy": In my view, the plan unveiled by Prime Minister Taro Aso may very well be just what is needed in Japan and in many other countries. It is basic economics that consumption is stimulated by a reduction in tax burdens, thereby creating...
BASKETBALL
Apr 5, 2009

Sendai blows big lead, recovers to top Phoenix

The Sendai 89ers picked up their ninth victory in 10 games, edging the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix 98-94 in a down-to-the-wire bj-league contest on Saturday.

Longform

An illustration features the Japanese signs for "ganbare" (good luck) and the Deaflympics, which will be held between Nov. 15 and 26.
A century of Deaf sport finds its moment in Tokyo