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Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / LIQUID CULTURE
Jan 30, 2009

An intoxicating temple in Kyoto

Evil cometh from the north, they say. Maybe it was sunlight streaming from the south that gave ancient theologians such a notion. Or perhaps the Arctic is gushing malevolence (compare and contrast: Australians and Scandinavians). Regardless, it was a fear of southbound evil that prompted the construction...
LIFE / Food & Drink / LIQUID CULTURE
Jan 30, 2009

An intoxicating temple in Kyoto

Emperor Go Mizuno reportedly loved fucha ryori, and likely partook of it at Kanga-an Temple in Kyoto as he gazed at the enchanting green and gravel garden.
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2009

Risk of deflation spiral low, BOJ deputy says

Bank of Japan Deputy Gov. Kiyohiko Nishimura indicated Thursday he is not concerned that the recession will trigger a return of sustained price declines.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 30, 2009

Who says an art work must exist?

Like precious gems, Aiko Miyanaga's crystalline sculptures reflect light and shine with a brilliance that beguiles the viewer. But while diamonds are forever, Miyanaga's carefully crafted forms are not long for this world. In fact, some of her pieces are gone before her exhibitions even come to a close....
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2009

Toyota to recall 1.36 million cars to fix seat belts, exhaust

Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 1.36 million cars in Japan, the U.S. and elsewhere to fix defects that include faulty seat belts and exhaust systems.
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Jan 30, 2009

MVP St. Preux never gave up hoop dreams

BEPPU, Oita Pref. — Contrasting images fill my head as I sit down to write this. Bouncing basketballs heard after endless hours in the gym and the pleasant silence of the local onsen (hot springs) clash for control. No problem. I'm relaxed.
BUSINESS
Jan 30, 2009

Sony buffeted by ¥18 billion loss

Sony Corp. said Thursday that it posted an ¥18 billion group operating loss for the third quarter that ended in December as its mainline electronics business was battered by the higher yen, the global recession and stiff competition.
Reader Mail
Jan 29, 2009

Israel showed forbearance

The Jan. 22 front-page photo caption of the Hamas militant (titled "Youth Movement") — about U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's visit and the sympathy toward fallen Palestinians — has broken new moral ground in the show of unbalanced reporting regarding the situation between Israel and Gaza.
Reader Mail
Jan 29, 2009

Raise amount of English input

The Jan. 12 editorial "English taught in English" has identified the problem but proposes the wrong solution. The traditional grammar-based approach is wrong, but simply insisting on the exclusive use of English in class could make things worse. Language acquisition research over the last three decades...
Reader Mail
Jan 29, 2009

Right to protect one's business

I don't agree with Gregory Clark's Jan. 15 article, "Antiforeigner discrimination is a right for Japanese people," but I think it was the Otaru, Hokkaido, bathhouse owner's right to use all means to protect his business — even by putting up a sign that excluded all foreigners from the bathhouse. A...
EDITORIALS
Jan 29, 2009

Dilatory confrontation

A second supplementary budget for fiscal 2008, which includes the controversial ¥2 trillion in cash handouts to all households, was enacted on Tuesday. The enactment process has highlighted a futile confrontation between the ruling and opposition camps. Both camps must be flexible since the nation badly...
Reader Mail
Jan 29, 2009

Contradiction needs a resolution

Regarding the Jan. 15 editorial "Education on cannabis": I think educating young people to stay away from cannabis will come only after a legal contradiction is resolved. The health risks from cannabis have yet to be proven. Some say the best argument against cannabis is that it may lead to stronger...
Reader Mail
Jan 29, 2009

A shocking lack of sleep

Regarding the Jan. 22 article "Train driver who overslept prompts cancellation of early-morning runs": I began to read this article with empathetic amusement, but my smile disappeared when my jaw dropped in disbelief. According to the article, the motorman decided to sleep at the Kintetsu Ikoma Station,...
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2009

Aso vows 'bold' steps to remedy economy

Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday renewed his pledge to lead Japan out of the current economic crisis faster than any other country through drastic economic and employment measures.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2009

MSDF told to prep for Somalia mission

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Wednesday ordered the Maritime Self-Defense Force to prepare to deploy a task force off Somalia to patrol for pirates.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2009

Women still largely absent from politics

When it comes to female participation in politics, Japan lags far behind other nations.
COMMENTARY
Jan 29, 2009

Pakistan key to Afghan war

U.S. President Barack Obama is right to talk about "the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan" and the need to evolve an integrated U.S. strategy toward these two closely tied countries. But even as he has embarked on some major steps, his evolving strategy does not suggest a meaningful...
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2009

'Proactive diplomacy' pledged

Japan will demonstrate its leadership through "proactive diplomacy," including sending civilian aid to Afghanistan and passing new laws for antipiracy activities in Somalia, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said Wednesday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 29, 2009

Joint project with China

In June 2008, Japan and China agreed on gas development and production projects in the East China Sea by shelving differences over the demarcation of exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Although the agreement was supposed to contribute to building stable bilateral ties, friction has cropped up between the...

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